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.

The 2000 class of the Oklahoma State Senate is officially in place today.

New Senators and incumbents who won re-election bids were formally sworn-in Tuesday morning at the State Capitol by Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Hardy Summers.

The lawmakers were administered the oath of office during ceremonies in the Senate Chamber. Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor presided over the occasion.

State Senator Dave Herbert will be seeking a statewide vote on Right to Work when the Oklahoma Legislature convenes in February. The Midwest City Democrat is currently drafting legislation that would call a special election to decide the issue as an amendment to the state constitution.

"This issue has divided the state for far too long. It's time to end all of the fussing and the fighting, and let the people decide," said Senator Herbert.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"I agree that this is a critical issue, but I'm just not sure that a special session is the best way to address it. I'm certainly willing to discuss the matter, but I think it's important to examine every possible alternative before we commit to a special session. If we can address the problems caused by the drought and the wildfires without spending tax money on a special session, I think that would be a more prudent course of action."

OKLAHOMA CITY - Senator Paul Muegge, D-Tonkawa, is again urging Oklahoma officials to take a closer look at the second of recent agreements on hog farms and the environment reached by government and industry officials in North Carolina.

A Senate leader is offering some remedial education to one of Governor Keating's education appointees, reminding him that the Governor has been less than supportive of the Legislature's efforts to improve school funding and protect education revenue sources.

Senator Cal Hobson was responding to remarks made by Luke Corbett at a State Board of Education meeting Tuesday. Corbett, a board member appointed by Governor Keating, complained that Legislature had not appropriated enough money for school needs, but failed to mention the Governor's role in the process.

Statement by Senator Angela Monson

"I appreciate the Attorney General's hard work on this important issue and his speedy response to my request. I'm very pleased that the opinion affirmed the Senate's stance on this issue."

"The opinion confirms that the Governor did not have the authority to create a new cabinet office and circumvent the Senate's advise and consent process. It also confirms that Mr. Perry does not hold a
cabinet office because his nomination was properly rejected."