OKLAHOMA CITY - If not for last year's legislation calling for a $250,000 appropriation for DNA testing, Jeffrey Todd Pierce would likely still be behind bars for a rape he never committed. The total appropriation for the coming fiscal year for that program will be almost triple that amount.

The State Senate has approved legislation that would increase health benefits for all state employees, in addition to raising the pay of such high-turnover positions as state correctional officers and state nurses.

SB 702 would authorize the appropriation of approximately $36 million for a state employee pay package. Among other things, the measure would provide a $4,000 pay hike to state prison guards and a $2,100 salary increase to nurses at state veterans centers and other facilities.

State Senator Cal Hobson confirmed Tuesday that he has secured unanimous support from fellow Democrats to win election as the next President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate. The Lexington Democrat said that every member of the Democratic caucus has provided him with an official pledge card, promising to support his election to the top Senate post. Hobson will replace Senator Stratton Taylor after his current term expires in two years. Taylor is not seeking another term as Senate President Pro Tempore, but is running for re-election to the State Senate in 2002.

OKLAHOMA CITY - A measure to repeal the state's mandatory vehicle inspections has been signed into law. House Bill 1081 authors Representative Richard Phillips and Senator Glenn Coffee say it will result in a $12 million savings, as well as eliminating an outdated mandate.

"I'm very happy that we've been able to repeal this outdated requirement. There are too many hassles and expenses to deal with day to day as it is. I'm sure the majority of Oklahomans will be thrilled that we've done away with this one," said Sen. Coffee, R- Oklahoma City.

In light of last week's Supreme Court's ruling regarding seat belt usage, State Senator Jeff Rabon, D-Hugo and State Representative Terry Matlock, D- Garver have renewed their commitment to protecting the citizens of Oklahoma.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"Governor Keating was mistaken when he suggested that the Democratic legislative leadership was working on its own redistricting plan. We're working with all Senators, Republicans and Democrats, to ensure that we draft a redistricting plan that best serves the interests of every Oklahoma citizen."

"As part of that process, we will be happy to examine the information that Governor Keating has compiled. We appreciate his interest in this issue."

Voters may soon get to decide whether they would like to replace Oklahoma's state tax code with a system that is even better than the state of Texas, according to the leader of the Oklahoma State Senate.

(Oklahoma City) By trying to kill an amendment designed to protect the rights of hunters, anglers and other Oklahoman sportsmen, Representative Russ Roach is threatening the sporting pastimes of hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans, according to the Senate author of the legislation.

Statement by Senator Ben Robinson,
Chairman, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Social Services

"When I heard about Sen. Pruitt's comments, I thought that they were some kind of belated, bad April Fool's joke. To suggest that the Health Care Authority acted improperly when it mailed out the termination letters is not just laughable - it's ludicrous."

OKLAHOMA CITY-State Senator Scott Pruitt, R-Broken Arrow, called on the CEO of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to better explain why last March he mailed letters to Medicaid recipients notifying them that their services would be terminated. Pruitt delivered a letter signed by the entire Senate Republican Caucus to the Health Care Authority Wednesday to request the explanation.