On Monday, the Senate approved legislation modifying the Taxpayer Transparency Act to include federal funding for state agencies. Senate Bill 1342, by Sen. Greg Treat, would provide more transparency into how federal funds are utilized by state agencies.

The Vice-Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Greg Treat, said Thursday that his legislation to modify how Pre-K classes are funded will not be heard this session. Senate Bill 1324 would have removed early childhood education from the State Aid formula and allowed local school districts to make decisions on Pre-K education freeing up much-needed funds for K-12 public education.

In January, the State Board of Education had to make a mandatory three percent or $46.7 million cut to its budget because of the General Revenue failure for FY’16.

There are currently more than 11,000 Oklahoma children in foster care. Those children, the families who are currently providing homes for them and the need for even more families to step forward will be the focus on Tuesday, May 6, during “Foster Care Day” at the state Capitol, which will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees are urged to wear blue or a blue ribbon to help draw attention to foster care.

The Senate approved legislation Thursday that would authorize the issuance of a bond to repair Oklahoma’s state Capitol, which has long been plagued with structural problems.

Additionally, Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman announced the formation of a Senate Capitol Construction Oversight Select Committee to monitor estimates and expenditures as they arise to ensure the funds are spent prudently.

State Sens. Greg Treat and Josh Brecheen, who both served in the office of Sen. Tom Coburn, today commended their mentor for his accomplished record of service to his country and the state of Oklahoma. Coburn yesterday announced his intention to retire from the U.S. Senate after the current session of Congress.

Gov. Mary Fallin has signed legislation to address pricing disparities between orally and intravenously-administered cancer medications. Sen. Greg Treat, author of Senate Bill 765, explained that due to certain insurance classifications, oral cancer medications may be far more costly for patients than intravenous treatments, even when the same medicines are used.

Treat said his legislation will establish parity in pricing for medications that can potentially save lives.

The state Senate today advanced a proposal that would allow voters to make the offices of state superintendent, insurance commissioner and labor commissioner gubernatorial appointments.

Sen. Greg Treat, author of Senate Bill 598, said the reform would allow the governor to be the true executive of the state and be more fully responsible for the executive branch.

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday gave unanimous approval to a measure that would create the Oklahoma Office of Privatization. Senate Bill 1008 creates the office under the regulatory authority of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES).

Sen. Greg Treat, author of the proposal, explained that the Office of Privatization will serve as a repository for privatization and surplus asset sales practices. Additionally, the Office will evaluate and respond to privatization proposals and oversee contracting for such opportunities.

The Senate Committee on General Government has approved legislation that would send to a vote of the people a proposal to make the offices of state superintendent, labor commissioner and insurance commissioner gubernatorial appointments.

Sen. Greg Treat, author of Senate Bill 598, said the reforms would broaden accountability by allowing the governor to be more fully responsible for the functions of the executive branch.

In a bi-partisan show of support, 57 Oklahoma legislators yesterday filed a brief in the Oklahoma Supreme Court defending a state law regulating abortion-inducing drugs.

Last year, the Legislature approved House Bill 1970, which required Oklahoma physicians to administer such drugs in accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. At least 8 women are known to have died following use of abortion-inducing drugs in an off-label, unapproved manner. No women have died from bacterial infection following FDA-approved administration of the drugs.