Senate Democratic Leader Sean Burrage issued the following statement Wednesday in response to the release of the report of the Oklahoma Commission on School Security, which was chaired by Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb and the members of this commission for their efforts to keep the children of Oklahoma safe,” said Burrage, D-Claremore. “I am pleased to see that the result of their work is a set of actionable, policy-based recommendations which I look forward to discussing with my colleagues in the Senate.

The full Senate has given overwhelming support to legislation targeting those who plan crimes of mass violence and those who fail to report such plans. Senate Bill 995, by Sen. Brian Crain, carries a maximum penalty of life in prison for anyone who plans to commit a plan of mass violence at a school, place of worship, a place of employment, a sporting event, entertainment venue or any other location used for large gatherings of people.
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New products for delivering nicotine are not being addressed by current Oklahoma laws aimed at preventing children from using tobacco products. That would change if Senate Bill 802 becomes law. Sen. Rob Johnson, R-Yukon, is the principal author of Senate Bill 802, which was approved by the full Senate on Wednesday 26 to 15.
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The state Senate this week approved legislation that would strengthen the ability of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) Child Abuse Response Team (CART) to combat child abuse.

Senate Bill 1002 would provide a funding mechanism for CART, and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. ICAC agents investigate technology-driven crimes against children including child pornography, child abuse and human trafficking.
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The Senate has given its approval to a measure expanding the state’s landmark scholarship program, Oklahoma’s Promise. Senate Education Chairman John Ford is the principal author of SB 432, creating ‘Oklahoma’s Career Promise Act,’ expanding Oklahoma’s Promise program to cover 100 percent of tuition and fees for students pursuing industry certification in five specific areas of the economy. Those areas include aerospace and defense, energy, agriculture and biosciences, information and financial services, and transportation and distribution.
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Sen. Jerry Ellis today criticized a plan that would send to a vote of the people a proposal to make the offices of State Superintendent, Labor Commissioner and Insurance Commissioner gubernatorial appointments.

Ellis said it was unwise to consolidate so much power in the executive branch.

“This is a scheme that simply invites temptation,” said Ellis, D-Valliant. “Reducing these offices to cabinet positions is reminiscent of Louisiana-style politics, and it would open the door to Louisiana-style corruption. They had the best government money could buy.”
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The full Senate has given its approval to the “Parent Empowerment Act.” Senate Bill 1001, authored by Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Jabar Shumate, D-Tulsa, would enable parents to petition to make dramatic changes in their child’s underperforming school. The bill was approved 30 to 12 on Wednesday. Holt said the bill was based on a “parent trigger” concept that has been enacted in at least seven other states.
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Oklahomans took a step closer to paying lower prices this “Black Friday” and beyond with Senate passage Wednesday of Senate Bill 550, which would legalize low-price retail sales in Oklahoma for the first time since 1941. SB 550, authored by Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, passed the full Senate 28 to 15.
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The full Senate has given approval to legislation that would reduce the state income tax rate from 5.25 percent to 4.75 percent. Senate Bill 585 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, and Sen. Rick Brinkley, R-Owasso, would be fully effective in tax year 2015 and would cut income taxes by $250 million while actually enabling increased funding for core services, like education. The measure was approved 33 to 13on Monday.
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The full Senate has given unanimous approval to a measure aimed at making sure voters know if someone filing for office has a criminal background. Senate Bill 287, by Sen. Susan Paddack, would require additional information on the declaration of candidacy forms. She said currently, application forms for positions appointed by the Governor require far more information than forms required for those seeking public office.
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