Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman issued the following statement in reaction to Thursday’s ruling by the United States Supreme Court siding with Oklahoma in a water dispute with Texas. The court ruled unanimously that the four state Red River compact did not entitle Texas the right to purchase water from Oklahoma without the state’s consent.
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State Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa, served as co-chairman of the Joint Legislative Water Committee formed in 2011 to explore the state’s long-term water needs. Crain issued a statement following Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling against Texas in a lawsuit aimed at forcing Oklahoma to sell water from within its borders.

State Sen. Bryce Marlatt is being honored for his efforts to promote and encourage investment in the state’s oil and gas industry. Marlatt was named “Legislator of the Year” by the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA) during the organization’s annual meeting.
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A new law targeting uninsured motorists will help decrease the number of Oklahomans who drive without insurance. That’s according to Sen. Corey Brooks and Rep. Mike Christian, R-Oklahoma City, who co-authored House Bill 1792. The two joined Gov. Mary Fallin for a ceremonial bill signing at the state Capitol last week.
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Sen. Eddie Fields today congratulated Oklahoma State University-University Multispectral Laboratories (OSU-UML), based in Ponca City, for receiving one of the highest civilian honors given by the United States Department of Defense (DOD), for their support of National Guard and Reserve employees.

OSU-UML was presented with the Pro Patria Award, an honor given to employers that show exceptional support for national defense by adopting personnel policies that make it easier for employees to participate in the National Guard and Reserves.
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(NOTE: High resolution versions available below)


Historic light fixtures found in attic.



Light globes found in attic.


Light fixtures brought out of attic.

High Resolution Photos:
Light fixtures found in attic

Light globes found in attic

Historical light fixtures being brought down from attic

Senate Chambers in 1918 with light fixtures

Long-lost pieces discovered at State Capitol during historical restoration project

Senate Democratic Leader Sean Burrage issued the following comments in response to the release of the healthcare report produced for the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority by the Leavitt Partners.

Two lawmakers who took on the task of creating an Oklahoma-based solution for increasing access to health care said a new report commissioned by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) mirrors many of the recommendations they had included in Senate Bill 640. The Utah-based Leavitt Partners presented their findings on Thursday to OHCA’s governing board. Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Doug Cox, M.D., R-Grove, said the report shows they were on the right track with their proposals.
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Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Doug Cox, M.D., R-Grove, responded Wednesday to a recent press conference calling on the Legislature to follow the Affordable Care Act.

“A ‘one size fits all plan’ offered by the ACA is not the right approach for Oklahoma,” Crain said.

“When it comes to health care access, we need to offer premium assistance like Insure Oklahoma; the health care plan Oklahoma voters approved in 2004,” Cox said.
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Senate Democratic Leader Sean Burrage issued the following comments in response to the release of the Republican’s budget deal for Fiscal Year 2014.