More Oklahoma Lottery improvements became law this year, including a bill projected to increase education funding by up to $6.5 million a year by allowing lottery tickets to be bought with debit cards.

Senate Bill 1303, by Senate Assistant Majority Floor Leader Eddie Fields and Rep. Chad Caldwell, modernizes lottery player convenience by allowing debit card purchases of lottery tickets at lottery retailers. The bill was signed by Gov. Mary Fallin on Wednesday.

OKLAHOMA CITY The legislature approved much-needed pay raises for teachers and school support staff this year. Sen. Rob Standridge and other legislators are growing concerned after hearing plans by multiple districts that want to give their administrators pay raises meant for support staff. The legislators want to ensure the pay raises are dispersed correctly and want to encourage the public to hold local school boards and administrators accountable as these decisions are made in the next few weeks and months.

State Sen. Roger Thompson and State Rep. Weldon Watson were joined this week by ten other members of the House and Senate in signing a letter urging members of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to approve Public Service Company of Oklahomas application for preapproval for the Wind Catcher Energy Connection Project.

Senate Democratic Leader John Sparks (D-Norman) released the following statement on behalf of the Senate Democratic Caucus:

“The Senate Democratic Caucus urges Governor Fallin to call the legislature into special session to address issues related to medical marijuana. Today’s letter from Attorney General Mike Hunter to Health Department Interim Director Tom Bates clearly concludes the Board of Health approved medical marijuana rules exceeding its statutory authority.

The naming of a two mile section of Interstate 35 near Stillwater after Nancy Randolph Davis will be celebrated at a dedication ceremony and reception on Thursday, November 1 in Stillwater, according to State Sen. Anastasia Pittman. The event will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm at Oklahoma State University in The Council Room, located on the 4th floor in the Student Union. The public is invited to attend.

Twenty-four new and returning members of the Oklahoma State Senate were sworn into office at the Capitol Wednesday with Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, President of the Senate, presiding over the ceremony. The oath was administered by the Honorable Douglas L. Combs, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Tuesday Oklahoma voters went to the polls and approved State Question 794, also known as Marsy’s Law. SQ 794 passed with 78 percent approval and was the only state question approved by Oklahoma voters. Marsy’s Law places greater protection and rights for victims of crime into Oklahoma’s constitution. State Question 794 was authored by State Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, and was the fourth constitutional amendment by Sykes that Oklahoma voters have approved. Previous state questions include:

SQ 751 making English the Official Language of Oklahoma (76%)

Following the discovery of a $30 million slush fund at the state Department of Health last year, a multi-county grand jury made seven recommendations to prevent future financial deceit by state agencies. Sen. Paul Scott has authored legislation to implement one of those recommendations by punishing state employees who hide public funds under their control.

A measure to build a statewide aerospace training facility cleared both the Senate Education and the Appropriation and Budget committees this week and is now headed to the Senate floor.

Senate Bill 432, authored by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education to acquire or lease property for the purpose of creating the statewide aerospace training facility. Under the measure, the State Board would establish admission standards and the curriculum requirements.

The Senate voted Monday to protect county court documents by digitizing them. Sen. Jason Smalley, R-Stroud, is the author of Senate Bill 483, which assesses a $10 fee for filing a civil case to be deposited in the Court Clerk’s Records Management and Preservation Fund.