OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, released the following statement in opposition of the president's vaccine mandate:

OKLAHOMA CITY – For the past decade, suicide rates for Oklahoma youth have been above the national average.  According to a report issued by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the state ranked 10^th highest in the nation for youth suicide rates from 2012 to 2016.  On the average, two Oklahomans ages 10-24 die by suicide every week.  Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd hopes events like September’s National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month can help shine a spotlight on suicide and reduce the stigma that may prevent Oklahomans from seeking the help they need.

The agricultural industry has a significant impact on Oklahoma’s economy, and Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee vice chairman Roland Pederson said it’s time to review who qualifies for agricultural sales tax exemptions in the state.

An interim study – “Finding a pathway for equitable farm tax exemptions” – will take a deep dive into this issue in the Senate Finance Committee on Monday, Sept. 13 at 10:30 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding met Wednesday to review the progress made in establishing the state’s process for utilizing federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The agricultural industry has a significant impact on Oklahoma’s economy, and Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee vice chairman Roland Pederson said it’s time to review who qualifies for agricultural sales tax exemptions in the state.

An interim study – “Finding a pathway for equitable farm tax exemptions” – will take a deep dive into this issue in the Senate Finance Committee on Monday, Sept. 13 at 10:30 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, has been reappointed as commissioner of a national law enforcement organization aimed at improving public safety.  The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA), was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement’s major executive associations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriffs’ Association and the Police Executive Research Forum.

Sen. Micheal Bergstrom recently attended the ceremonial signing of Senate Bill 999, also known as the Oklahoma Courier Application Services Act.

Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, released the following statement Wednesday after an Oklahoma County District Court hearing on Senate Bill 658.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Assessments began on Wednesday, Sept. 1 that will ultimately enable the state to eliminate the waiting list for developmental disability home and community-based services.  That’s according to Sen. Paul Rosino, vice chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, and Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson, who have been working with the Department of Human Services (DHS) to address the issue.

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Rob Standridge said too few Oklahomans are being given information about the benefits of monoclonal antibodies. In order to counter that, Standridge, R-Norman, recently contacted Cleveland County Commissioners Rod Cleveland, Darry Stacy, and Harold Haralson, and recommended they work together to develop a plan to help better inform the public about how these treatments can reduce hospitalizations and death from COVID-19 and where they can get them.