The Senate Judiciary Committee passed House Bill 1603 by President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee with bipartisan support today, advancing tort reform legislation to the Senate floor.

“The numbers don’t lie, and the numbers tell us that Oklahoma is sixth in the nation in medical students per capita, yet 49th in the nation in the number of active physicians,” said Coffee.

“Governor Henry laid out a bold vision for Oklahoma today in his “State of the State” address and the Senate Democratic caucus stands ready to work with the Governor to continue moving Oklahoma forward.

“Health care is an issue our caucus is extremely passionate about and we have been at the forefront of this discussion of making access to affordable health care a greater reality for more Oklahoma families.
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The Senate Finance Committee has approved legislation to remove the statutory trigger required to reduce the state’s income tax from 5.5 percent to 5.25 percent, clearing the way for that reduction to take place in tax year 2010. Finance chairman Senator Mike Mazzei is the author of Senate Bill 315 which was approved on Tuesday.
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Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee formally announced his decision today to place Currie Ballard in the position of Assistant Secretary of the Senate.

Ballard is a noted and respected historian and community leader who brings a diverse background in politics and journalism to his new position. Ballard has served on a variety of commissions working on national, historical projects, and most recently served as historian-in-residence at Langston University for 12 years.

Sen. Cliff Branan has filed legislation that would direct an increased portion of motor vehicle tax revenue to the County Improvements for Roads and Bridges Fund. The Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Branan said the measure would redirect revenue currently going to the General Revenue Fund.

Senator Dan Newberry along with a majority of the Senate voted in favor of Senate Resolution 5 strongly opposing the federal “Freedom of Choice Act.”

President Barack Obama recently promised that one of the top priorities of his new Administration would be to sign into law the “Freedom of Choice Act,” which classifies abortion as a fundamental right. If signed into law, this fundamental right would be equal to the right to free speech and the right to vote, rights that, unlike abortion, are specifically detailed in the United States Constitution.

Oklahoma applicants for certain professions and licenses are required under state law to undergo both state and national background checks for the sake of public safety. Unfortunately, municipal fire departments do not have that same authorization, but State Sen. Ron Justice hopes that he can get that changed this year through his Senate Bill 249.

A trio of bills being pushed by Senate Democrats aimed at providing relief to Oklahoma’s veterans passed out of Senate committees today. Senate Bill 59 by Senator Andrew Rice is aimed at providing health care to veterans who do not qualify for medical coverage through their employer or through VA benefits and Senate Bill 255 by Senator Tom Ivester and Senate Bill 467 by Senator Kenneth Corn both seek to waive tuition expenses for Oklahoma veterans attending Oklahoma colleges and universities. read more.

The Senate Judiciary Committee this week approved a measure that would exempt an adoptive grandparent from any court costs associated with adoption.

Sen. Kenneth Corn, author of the legislation, said Senate Bill 254 would remove another impediment for grandparents seeking to provide good homes for children.

In an effort to attract industries, create jobs and keep businesses in the state, Sen. Cliff Branan has authored legislation to begin a discussion in the Legislature about lowering the state’s income tax - something he has advocated for since getting into office in 2002.