Senate Republicans today questioned the authorization of a "Senate" report by the President Pro Tem, Stratton Taylor. "This is not a Senate Position, none of the Republican Caucus members have been contacted to participate in the study. This is a partisan justification for extortion at the expense of taxpayers." said Minority leader Mark Snyder.

Senate President Pro Tem Stratton Taylor, hired a legal consultant Rick Chamberlin to prepare an advocacy paper for the Senate claiming a regulated company's rates are "likely too high".

Statement by Senator Cal Hobson,
Vice-chairman, Senate Appropriations Committee

"I'm disappointed because I think our Corporation Commissioners missed a golden opportunity to do something significant for the Oklahoma education system and our state as a whole."

If Southwestern Bell and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission reach an agreement on a new rate review process, the pact should include funding for technology needs in the Oklahoma public schools, according to the lawmaker who helps write the budget for common education.

A Senate budget leader is urging the three members of the State Corporation Commission not to sell Oklahoma schools short when they reach a final regulatory settlement with Southwestern Bell.

In a letter to Commissioners Denise Bode, Bob Anthony and Ed Apple, Senator Cal Hobson cited growing public support for a proposal that would make common education technology a top priority in any cash settlement with the telephone company.

The State Senate filed an appeal with the Oklahoma Supreme Court today, attempting to overturn a recent workers compensation rate hike on Oklahoma businesses. The action seeks a new hearing on a 5 percent rate increase ordered by the State Board for Property and Casualty Rates in September.

Three Senators who have argued for a rate cut in recent months -- Bruce Price, Brad Henry and Penny Williams -- explained the Senate lawsuit.

Statistics compiled by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission indicate Southwestern Bell has made and will continue to make ample earnings to justify a significant investment in public school technology, according to a Senate leader who is pushing for commissioners to secure such an investment.

Governor Keating has launched yet another assault on education, this time with the endorsement of a massive tax cut initiative that would gut the state budget resources of public schools and other programs, according to a State Senate budget leader.

"When Governor Keating says he wants to cut taxes, what he's really saying is he wants to cut education because it's the biggest beneficiary of state revenue," said Senator Cal Hobson, vice-chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

A positive report about Oklahoma's workers compensation environment should bolster the case for another reduction in rates, according to three state lawmakers who have been pushing for a comp rate cut.

Senator Brad Henry, Senator Bruce Price and Senator Penny Williams cited a new report by a member of the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Workers Compensation, documenting several positive trends in the comp arena.

Citing the report of an independent actuary, three state senators are pressing their call for another reduction in workers compensation rates.

Senators Brad Henry, Bruce Price and Penny Williams are directing their request to the State Board for Property and Casualty Rates, which is scheduled to meet September 28th to consider a rate action.

If state regulators follow the advice of the actuarial study, it will result in the fifth reduction in workers comp rates in as many years.

On the heels of the first increase in workers compensation rates since 1992, a state lawmaker is considering legislation that would overhaul the rate review process in an effort to make it more fair to consumers, namely Oklahoma businesses.

"In this latest rate hearing, it seemed like all the cards were stacked against Oklahoma businesses and in favor of the insurance industry. The Senate was the only entity that spoke up on behalf of the consumers and it was barred from participating in the process. There has to be a better way," said Senator Brad Henry.