Of the 71 interim study requests approved by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat last week, five were requested by state Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City. The series of studies would give senators the opportunity to delve into topics such as racial equality, health disparities in the African American community, minority-owned businesses and funding for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU).

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren has requested three interim studies that received approval last week by the Senate Pro Tempore. These meetings allow legislators to hear from industry experts, government agencies and private citizens to have a broader understanding of an issue and decide whether legislative action is needed.

UPDATE: As of Thursday afternoon, 17 Republican senators had joined Sen. Bullard in urging the State Board of Education and State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister to fully implement provisions of House Bill 1775 at their special school board meeting Monday.

Saying too many questions remain unanswered, Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, and Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee, are calling on Gov. Kevin Stitt to delay closing the William S. Key Correctional Center until it can be determined exactly how much shuttering the facility will cost.  The lawmakers said they still had questions after a recent Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the closure.

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat on Friday announced the approval of all requests for interim studies submitted by Oklahoma Senate members. Senators submitted 72 interim study requests; one request was withdrawn.

Pro Tem Treat, R-Oklahoma City, assigned interim study requests to Senate committees with jurisdiction over the subject matter of the request. Treat said committee chairs will determine when and if the interim studies assigned to their committee will be held.

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State Senator Chris Kidd, R-Waurika, released the following statement after the key ceremony formally celebrating the merger of Murray State College and the University Center of Southern Oklahoma on Wednesday:

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, and Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, issued the following statements after the Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing Tuesday on the Department of Corrections’ (DOC) announcement of the closing of the William S. Key Correctional Center in Fort Supply.  Among those appearing before the committee were Tricia Everest, Cabinet Secretary of Public Safety, Deputy Secretary Jason Nelson, Scott Crow, DOC Director, and Ashlee Clemmons, DOC Chief Financial Officer.  

The Research Institute for Economic Development (RIED) has issued its annual report, scoring legislators for their votes for legislation supporting businesses, economic development and job creation.  Of the 149 members of the Legislature, 22 members earned perfect scores, including Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore.