Legislation approved by the state Senate on Tuesday would expand the number of events that qualify under the Oklahoma Quality Events Incentive Act.
Authored by Sen. Dan Newberry, Senate Bill 976 would help the state attract and retain major events like the 2013 Bassmaster Classic, which drew a crowd of 106,850 to Tulsa. The attendance figure was a near-record for the event.
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In an effort to provide additional protections for Oklahoma seniors, a measure was approved by the Senate Tuesday to allow residents in nursing homes to install electronic monitoring devices in their private rooms. Senate Bill 587, by Sen. Ron Justice, would allow for such installation if the resident or their legal representative paid for the monitoring.
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The Oklahoma State Senate has given approval to a concurrent resolution calling on Congress to enact a balanced budget or see their pay reduced. Sen. Jerry Ellis, D-Valliant, is author of SCR 1 urging citizens to demand Congress to enact a balanced federal budget beginning in fiscal year 2013.
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In an effort to restrain Oklahoma's state bond indebtedness, Sen. Josh Brecheen filed Senate Joint Resolution 10 this year. The Senate overwhelmingly approved the proposed constitutional amendment Wednesday which would prohibit state annual debt service payments from exceeding 4.5 percent of the average of the general fund revenue for the preceding five fiscal years. Oklahoma's current ratio of net tax-supported debt as a percentage of the five year average of unrestricted revenue stands at approximately 3.4 percent.

The state Senate this week approved a measure that would broaden the number of high school graduates eligible for in-state tuition at Oklahoma colleges and universities.

Under Senate Bill 423, authored by Sen. John Sparks, individuals who receive a diploma from an Oklahoma high school will always be eligible for in-state tuition. Sparks said his bill would give more people an opportunity to further their education at Oklahoma colleges and universities and compete for high-paying jobs.
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Sen. Dan Newberry this week applauded U.S. Sens. Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe for defending the Second Amendment rights of Oklahomans, as controversial legislation expanding background checks and limiting ownership rights may soon be heard in the U.S. Senate.

Among other restrictions, the proposed legislation would establish new limits on magazine capacity, and expand background check requirements for gun ownership. Newberry said the dedicated opposition of Coburn and Inhofe contributed to the decision of Senate Democrats to shelve a proposed assault weapons ban.
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"I applaud Governor Fallin for her continued work on the issues important to moving Oklahoma forward. The Governor's remarks in the State of the State, focused on growing jobs and the economy, were especially well received. We know Oklahoma's runaway workers' compensation system is the number one roadblock to a strong business climate in our state, and I appreciate Governor Fallin's commitment to work with the legislature on this critical issue."

The Senate Republican Caucus on Tuesday released their agenda for the 2013 legislative session. Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman said this agenda represents Senate Republicans continued focus on the economy, education, and infrastructure.
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Sen. Anthony Sykes has won approval for legislation targeting individuals who cause fatal fires as a result of cooking methamphetamine. On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously for Senate Bill 942, ensuring those responsible for such deaths can be charged with first degree murder.
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