Governor Keating's refusal to meet with the board of a state employees group is a slap in the face to state workers and indicative of the low priority he assigns to issues important to them, according to a Senate budget leader.

State policy leaders should focus targeted tax relief on Oklahoma's ailing energy industry before considering Governor Keating's omnibus initiative to slash a variety of different taxes, according to the chairman of the Senate Energy, Environmental Resources and Regulatory Affairs.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Senator Maxine Horner (D-Tulsa) and Representative Don Ross (D-Tulsa) are offering a bill that would provide a workable solution to the fiasco over who controls the Roger's University Tulsa campus. This despite being virtually ignored by the sponsors of other measures addressing the issue.

"It appears that Representative Ross and I are doing nothing when this campus is in both of our districts," said Senator Horner. "That is simply not true. We have a bill and it is substantive."

Governor Keating's desire to cut taxes even if it adversely impacts public education is out of step with both Republican and Democratic governors around the country and could damage Oklahoma's economic development efforts, according to a Senate leader.

Senator Cal Hobson pointed to a recent Washington Post article on this week's National Governor's Association meeting which detailed how the nation's state chief executives were resisting large tax cuts in an effort to devote more funds to education.

By vetoing legislation designed to offset a recent premium increase, Governor Keating has insured that state employees will be hit with a health insurance rate increase. SB 1089 would have begun the process of pumping an additional $35.9 million into the reserves of the Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board (OSEEGIB), which recently voted to raise rates after a decline in reserve funds. The increase affects state employees, state retirees and teachers.

The Oklahoma Senate has taken final action on legislation that should result in lower health insurance rates and greater health care choices for state employees. SB 1089 was approved on a 33-15 vote.

Among other things, the legislation begins the process of pumping an additional $35.9 million into the reserves of the Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board (OSEEGIB) to help offset a recent premium increase for state employees. OSEEGIB voted to raise rates last year, citing a decline in reserve funds.

Oklahoma City - State Senator Bill Gustafson (R-El Reno) is announcing his decision not to seek a third term as State Senator for District 22. Gustafson, the current Minority Leader in the Legislature's upper chamber, will complete eight years of service at the end of this year.

Citing a new budget estimate that will certify an additional $19.9 million for appropriation in the coming fiscal year, a Senate leader is urging Governor Keating to drop his proposed pension raid and use the new funds to help balance the current executive budget. He also wants the Governor to take a "pension protection pledge."

Saying he wants to give the Governor's $1.2 billion tax cut program thorough consideration, the leader of the Oklahoma Senate announced today that he would work to advance Governor Keating's initiatives to the next stage of the legislative process. The tax proposal will be considered in the Senate Finance Committee tomorrow.

Saying Chancellor Hans Brisch didn't make a single commitment to expand educational opportunities in Tulsa during almost two hours of testimony yesterday, Senator Lewis Long is calling on Brisch and the State Regents to offer some concrete commitments for expanding academic offerings in Tulsa. He's also urging Tulsans to phone the Chancellor in support of a proposed four-year university in Tulsa.