OKLAHOMA CITY - Nearly 1,000 Oklahomans died in the Vietnam War, and many more were injured. Among those brave souls was U.S. Marine Corp. Private First Class Tommy Wayne Haley of Lexington, who died while in combat. Sen.

State Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, expressed their condolences after the sudden passing of Creek County Commissioner Lane Whitehouse.  Whitehouse had worked for the county for 24 years, including 16 years as a supervisor and six as county commissioner for Creek County.

With the goal of increasing student outcomes, State Sen.

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen.

In the weeks leading up to the legislative session, the spotlight is on budget hearings, so this week, I’d like to focus on the appropriations process, including the work of the appropriations subcommittees.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, has filed legislation to allow Oklahoma voters to raise the standard for public school funding in the state constitution. Senate Joint Resolution 9 would create a state question to require the legislature to “make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient and equitable system of free public schools”.

As the Legislature is set to tackle state and congressional redistricting, Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, is encouraging citizens to get involved in the process by attending a redistricting town hall in Enid on Jan. 21.

OKLAHOMA CITY – While Oklahoma has one of the highest active and retired military populations in the nation, it has been ranked as one of the least tax-friendly states for military retirees. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, believes one way to help make Oklahoma more attractive to military veterans is to eliminate the income tax on their retirement. With Senate Bill 401, Oklahoma would join 30 other states in exempting military retirement from state income tax.

On the heels of record voter turnout nationally for the 2020 election, Oklahoma ranked last in the country in voter turnout rate. To combat this statistic, Sen. Julia Kirt filed a trio of election bills to boost voter registration and participation in the state.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, has filed legislation to prohibit discrimination against a potential organ transplant recipient based solely on the person’s physical or mental disability.  Rosino said Senate Bill 378, creating Everett’s Law, was requested by Edmond parents Rhys and Neely Gay.  Their middle child, Everett, was diagnosed with Down Syndrome shortly after he was born.  He also had a congenital heart defect.