Saying Oklahomans deserve greater access to college degrees and better accountability in the public schools, members of the Senate Education Committee unveiled an improvement plan for Oklahoma's education system today. The proposed legislation would use a number of incentives to encourage better performance in public education.

Oklahoma City - Since 16-year old drivers are twice as likely to die in auto accidents, getting that laminated ticket to driving freedom may be a learning process rather than a one-day event for Oklahoma teenagers, according to Senators Keith Leftwich and Robert Milacek.

The two Senators, along with State Representatives Wallace Collins, Betty Boyd and Curt Roggow, have introduced a bill that would provide Oklahoma with a Graduated Driver Licensing program.

The Senate Finance Committee has approved legislation which would slash car tag fees and excise taxes, delivering significant savings to Oklahoma motorists. SB 1 by Senator Lewis Long was approved on a 12-2 vote today.

"I think Oklahomans are paying too much for their car tags and deserve abreak. That¹s what I¹m trying to give them," said Senator Long.

Saying Governor Keating has apparently recognized the folly of his original budget proposal, a state lawmaker is applauding the chief executive's decision to scrap his plans to cut funding for rural firefighters. The Governor announced his budget reversal today.

When it comes to funding Oklahoma¹s higher education system this legislative session, the top priority should be Tulsa, even if it means tapping the rainy day fund, according to the chairman of the Senate Education Committee.

Senator Penny Williams pointed out today that additional funding is needed for "unfinished business" in the state¹s second largest city, namely for the new graduate research center and the new OSU-Tulsa branch campus approved by the Governor and the Legislature last year.

If a new proposal requested by the State Senate GOP Caucus becomes law, Senate Republicans will be given the freedom to implement one of their education reform ideas in their home school districts.

The chairman and vice-chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education are considering a series of pilot projects which will require selected school districts to spend at least 90 percent of their education funding on the classroom, leaving no more than 10 percent for administration.

County officials who voted themselves major pay hikes will have to return the money if a Tulsa area legislator gets his way. State Senator Kevin Easley formally filed legislation today which would rescind the pay raise granted to county officials in Tulsa and Oklahoma County.

"Clearly, some county officers took advantage of the situation and handed themselves exorbitant pay raises. I think we need to go back to square one and do something that's more in keeping with the public's wishes," said Senator Easley.

Cutting government waste and eliminating bureaucratic red tape will be just two of the goals of a new joint oversight committee created by legislative leaders today.

House Speaker Loyd Benson and Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor announced the creation of the Joint Committee on Accountability in Government, saying the new panel would serve as a watchdog over the state's hundreds of agencies, boards and commissions.

Citing the lack of a vision coming from the Democrat leaders in the State Senate, the Senate Republican Leadership announced today their 2001 legislative agenda which includes significant education investment, broad based tax cuts, government reform, and the improvement of Oklahoma's business climate.

Wanting to "lead by example," State Senator Grover Campbell announced today that he would file legislation proposing two reforms to the Oklahoma election laws.