Education, health care and mental health services, criminal justice policies, and retirement issues are among the topics approved for interim studies in the Oklahoma Senate.

The Senate President Pro Tempore’s Office on Tuesday released the list of 72 interim studies.
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House Speaker Charles McCall and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat announced the formation of a bi-partisan healthcare working group today to develop an Oklahoma solution for increasing access to healthcare and providing insurance coverage for more citizens.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat commended the governor’s move to increase oversight of state agencies’ pursuit of federal grant money.

The governor on Tuesday issued an executive order that according to the Governor’s Office “requires state agencies, boards or commissions to first submit any grant application for review to the office of the Governor and for approval by the Secretary of Budget before the agency’s final submission to the funding source.” read more.

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat on Monday announced his appointments to lead the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting.
Treat appointed Senator Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, as chair of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting and named Senator Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, as vice chair of the committee.

“The Senate will conduct its redistricting process in a thorough, bipartisan, and professional manner. I have full confidence Senator Paxton and Senator Rader will do a great job in leading the select committee’s efforts,” said Treat, R-Oklahoma City.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat on Friday announced his appointment of Rick Nagel of Norman to the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC).

The JNC selects judicial candidates that the governor then considers for appointment to state courts. The Senate President Pro Tempore is responsible for appointing an at-large, non-attorney member of the JNC.

Nagel’s term as an at-large member begins immediately. He will serve a two-year term which expires in October 2021.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, released the following statement on the passing of former Senator Roger Ballenger:

“I had the privilege of serving alongside Roger Ballenger early in my career in the Senate. He had a great intellect and was a skilled lawmaker. He served the people of his district and the state with pride, and I always respected Roger. My family sends our prayers and condolences to Roger’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
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Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat on Friday announced the appointment of Calvin Prince of Ada to the board of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.

Prince currently serves as the administrator for the Pontotoc County specialty courts programs. Previously, he served as the director of marketing and community relations for Oklahoma Families First, Inc., and also as a school-based counselor for multiple school districts and colleges. He also consults with both local and state agencies on various topics relating to marriage, parenting, and drug and alcohol issues.

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat on Thursday announced his appointment of Sidney Ellington of Oklahoma City to the board of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs.

Oklahoma Senate Republican leadership commented Friday on the state Board of Equalization’s preliminary revenue certification.

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted Wednesday in favor of a bill that would effectively stop another income tax cut from automatically going into effect based on revenue growth. Sen. Roger Thompson is the author of Senate Bill 170. He’s the chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Finance, where the bill easily passed its first hurdle Tuesday.
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