OKLAHOMA CITY - The State Senate has approved legislation that would set specific standards for abortion clinics. The legislation, authored by Senate Minority Whip Carol Martin was approved as an amendment to HB 1404.

"I first attempted to pass this legislation over two years ago, and since then the State Health Department has begun to address this issue. Now it is time for us to follow through with the implementation of these standards," said Senator Martin.

State employees and their families are the big losers in a fight over Governor Keating's first veto of the legislative session, according to the Senate author of SB 323. The Governor vetoed that bill earlier this month and Senate Republicans successfully voted to sustain the veto on Wednesday.

"The Governor who vetoed this bill and the people who voted to sustain that veto turned their backs on state employees and their families. We were trying to extend a helping hand to them in their time of need, but the Governor and his supporters slapped it away," said Senator Paul Muegge.

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma Education Association needs to get a new calculator and explain the facts regarding education funding in Oklahoma. That's according to Senate Minority Whip Carol Martin. Her comments came after the OEA criticized the legislative leadership from both parties.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor, President Pro Tempore:

Senator Taylor Comments on Nichols' Trial Request

"I obviously want to be sensitive to the concerns of members of the Oklahoma County delegation and their constituents. They've raised a serious issue and their request deserves consideration.

School districts which are designated to participate in a pilot project spawned by a Republican education proposal will have to put 90 percent of their funding directly into the classroom, spending it only on teachers, teachers aides and classroom supplies.

Repeat DUI offenders may lose more than their licenses the next time they drive drunk. They could also lose their car if legislation approved by the Oklahoma State Senate today ultimately becomes law.

"I don¹t think seizing a repeat DUI offender's car is too much of a punishment to exact, especially when you consider the thousands of Oklahomans whose lives have been shattered by drunk drivers. We need to send the message that if you drink and drive in Oklahoma, you'll not only lose your license, you might lose your car as well," said Senator Kevin Easley, author of SB 423.

The debate over automatic teller machine fees will apparently continue after the Legislature adjourns in May, according to the state lawmaker who has fought to put a limit on ATM charges.

Senator Angela Monson, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, has decided to put her bill on hold temporarily to give lawmakers more time to gather facts on the subject. The Oklahoma City lawmaker hopes an interim study will answer some of the questions that have arisen during discussion of her legislation.

Senator Dave Herbert is considering an alternative funding mechanism to bankroll the return of passenger rail service in Oklahoma, one that won't bite state farmers.

The Midwest City legislator originally proposed a two-cent increase in the state diesel tax and a one-half cent hike in the gas tax, but he's now rethinking the proposal in light of Oklahoma farmers' heavy reliance on diesel fuel. SJR 12 has already received Senate approval and is awaiting House action.

Oklahoma has dropped another rung on the education funding ladder, falling to 50th lowest in the country, according to a new national report on per pupil expenditures. The latest funding estimates from the National Education Association indicate only Utah spends less on its public school students than Oklahoma.

Senator Frank Shurden, author of legislation to legalize charity raffles, is questioning the viability of an alternative solution suggested today by the State Attorney General and a House committee chairman who is currently stalling action on the bill.

SB 671 has already passed the State Senate and is awaiting action in the House Rules Committee, but committee chairman Rep. Russ Roach has refused to hear the bill.