A controversial consultant to Governor Keating's state marriage initiative is under scrutiny again - this time for receiving $716,000 from state agencies headed by Health and Human Services Secretary Jerry Regier.

State records indicate that agencies controlled by Regier cut numerous checks to Mary Myrick's public relations firm over a 19-month period. The largest payment came from the Office of Juvenile Affairs last year when it shelled out $400,000 to Myrick over a span of just 11 days.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Senate Appropriations Chairman Kelly Haney said although he agreed with Governor Frank Keating and others who argue a more thorough examination of agency budgets is needed during the appropriations process, there are agencies that continue to be under funded each year. Senator Haney said the Oklahoma Arts Council is one of those agencies.

The Oklahoma State Senate will soon consider two new rules designed to make the legislative process run in a more efficient manner. The rules are the byproduct of the work of a special bipartisan task force that was appointed to study the Senate rules and offer proposals for improvement.

The leader of the Oklahoma State Senate has announced that right to work legislation will be assigned to the Senate General Government Committee this year.

Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor said he made the decision after discussing the issue with other Senators.

Oklahoma public schools that are struggling to pay higher heating bills, accommodate new student growth and implement a teacher pay program authorized last year received little or no help from Governor Keating in his executive budget, according to a State Senate budget leader.

Senator Cal Hobson noted that the Governor virtually ignored a number of bills that are coming due in public school classrooms, opting instead for a block grant approach that guarantees little or no new money for districts across the state.

A quick walk through the student union at any of our state colleges shows where businesses feel they can make money from the college crowd. Amidst the bookstores and fast food counters there is one group that offers free gifts, easy money and seemingly no consequences - credit card companies.

Saying he was inspired by a Tulsa energy producer who has volunteered to help with high home heating costs, State Senator Kevin Easley wants the state to team up with the energy industry to help Oklahomans who are struggling to pay skyrocketing utility bills.

"I wish I could claim credit for this idea, but it came from the industry itself. A small producer in Tulsa is offering to help Oklahomans pay their utility bills and I think the state should do everything it can to encourage other industry members to join in the effort," said Senator Easley.

Word that the national economic slowdown has helped create unexpected budget shortfalls in as many as 15 states should send a message of caution to state policy makers in Oklahoma, according to a State Senate budget leader.

Senator Kelly Haney, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said that although the state currently has a modest amount of growth revenue, Oklahoma could easily find itself facing the same budget shortfall scenario as other states if it doesn't heed the economic warning signs.

OKLAHOMA CITY - A proposal to let the people of Oklahoma decide whether to have a statewide lottery to fund education will face its first hurdle tomorrow, and the Senate author is asking the public's help in getting in passed.

"We know the states with the highest amounts of college graduates are the ones with the highest average incomes. With this source of revenue, we can help make sure every Oklahoma student who wants to continue their education can go to on to college or a technical center for free," explained Senator Brad Henry.

Citing erroneous government employment statistics compiled and reported by the Office of State Finance over the last seven years, a State Senator is urging OSF to recheck all of the other reports it has distributed to reporting authorities, the media and other entities during the Keating administration.