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.

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Cody Rogers, R-Tulsa, has been joined by nearly a dozen fellow members of the Senate in asking Interim Attorney General Dawn Cash to investigate allegations of price gouging and market manipulation in the building supply industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OKLAHOMA CITY - A joint legislative committee will help prioritize proposals for state government’s share of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Under federal law, ARPA funds for state governments are to be used only to respond to the public health emergency and negative economic effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Such uses can include payments to state agencies, nonprofits, industry and households. They can also include investments in public infrastructure.

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Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, is encouraging Oklahomans to contact Gov. Kevin Stitt’s office to stop the closure of the William S.

OKLAHOMA CITY – As principal Senate author of 17 bills signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt, Sen. Rob Standridge said he’s extremely gratified by all he was able to accomplish during the 2021 legislative session.

Senate Bill 658, which will greatly restrict mask mandates and forbid COVID vaccine passports in educational institutions, has been signed into law. The measure was authored by Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman.