Concerned Republicans are leaving behind rural Oklahoma, every Democratic member of the Senate General Conference Committee on Appropriations refused to give their nod of approval to the proposed state budget today. Specifically Senate Democrats say cutting Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) funds completely out of the state budget will hurt rural fire departments, jeopardize senior nutrition programs and eliminate rural communities ability to make needed infrastructure improvements that supply clean drinking water to their citizens.

Sen. Randy Brogdon said he was extremely pleased that Gov. Brad Henry had signed legislation authorizing a Ten Commandments monument to be placed on the grounds of the State Capitol. Brogdon was principal Senate author of the legislation.

“I want to thank Governor Henry for signing this legislation,” Brogdon said. “It passed with bipartisan support, and I believe it is something the people of Oklahoma would like to see at their State Capitol.”

The state Senate on Monday approved a resolution praising the life and career of the late Sen. John Young. Young, who served as a state Senator from 1964 until 1986, died in January at the age of 85.

Sen. Brian Bingman authored Senate Resolution 55 praising Sen. Young for his numerous contributions to the state.

State Sen. Kenneth Corn said he was very disappointed that the budget agreement unveiled on Friday would eliminate all funding for the Rural Economic Action Plan, better known as the REAP program.

A bill to offer enhanced incentives for job creation in Oklahoma is on its way to the House of Representatives for a final vote. That’s after the State Senate voted unanimously to approve Senate Bill 909 on Thursday. Sen. Mike Mazzei is the principal author of the measure.

“Following the oil bust in the 1980’s, Oklahoma began looking for innovative ways to diversify and grow our economy. One important component of achieving that goal was the passage of the Quality Jobs Act,”

Gov. Brad Henry, House Speaker Chris Benge and Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee announced a budget agreement today that protects the four core functions of government, including education, health care, corrections and transportation.

Those four areas are at least held harmless in this agreement, all while not tapping the state’s Rainy Day fund, leaving about $600 million in place for future needs if necessary.

Sen. Kenneth Corn on Friday said provisions included in Senate Bill 982 could potentially knock thousands of Oklahoma college students out of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP). Corn added that the proposal fails to address a number of concerns raised by higher education leaders regarding recent legislative changes to the program.

The Oklahoma State Senate approved two pro-life measures by Majority Floor Leader Todd Lamb on Friday, advancing both to the Governor’s desk.

House Bill 1595 prohibits a person from performing an abortion solely because of the sex of the child and creates the Statistical Reporting of Abortions Act, which requires physicians who perform abortions to report certain information to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). This legislation passed the Senate with a 35-9 vote.

State Sen. Jay Paul Gumm said he was extremely pleased that a tort reform provision he had authored for several years was included in the lawsuit reform bill approved by the Senate on Thursday. The provision would prevent a gun manufacturer from being sued if their product was used in the commission of a crime.

"Today we have finally settled the issue of tort reform, and now we must continue the more important debate about lowering the cost of health care for all Oklahomans.

“The only way to lower health care premiums in Oklahoma is to enact meaningful insurance reform and the Democratic Caucus stands ready to lend our voice to help bring real relief to all Oklahoma families who struggle every day to pay for health care.”