State Sen. Roger Thompson has been honored for his outstanding support of Oklahoma farmers and ranchers during the 2015 legislative session. Thompson, R-Okemah, was one of 12 state leaders and legislators presented the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Champion Award during the organizations Legislative Conference this month.

State Sen. Roger Thompson has been selected to receive the Liberty Bell award by the Oklahoma District Attorneys Association. Thompson, R-Okemah, will be honored at an awards ceremony slated for August 17 in Oklahoma City.

Mike Boring is the current president of the association, and praised Thompson’s support of key legislation.

State Sen. Roger Thompson has been given the Guardian of Free Enterprise Award from the State Chamber of Commerce for his legislative initiatives and leadership in the Oklahoma State Senate. The awards ceremony was held December 4 in Oklahoma City. Chamber President and CEO Fred Morgan applauded Thompson’s service and achievements in the Legislature.

In a move that should cut government red tape for hundreds of Oklahoma communities and businesses, the State Department of Environmental Quality has taken over wastewater discharge responsibilities from the federal government, according to a state legislator.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma has one of the lowest tax and fee burdens in the country, according to a new study by a conservative taxpayer's watchdog group in California. The findings of the California Taxpayer's Association were released in an analysis by the Oklahoma Senate staff today.

The latest revenue report from the Office of State Finance is further evidence that Oklahoma's economy is growing and state economic policies are working, according to a Senate budget leader.

"The numbers tell the story, and in this case, it's a very encouraging story," said Senator Cal Hobson, vice-chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

A host of familiar faces will lead the Oklahoma Senate when the Legislature convenes for its 1997 session in February. Senator Stratton Taylor, who will return for his second term as President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, formally announced leadership and committee assignments for the 46th session of the Oklahoma Legislature today.

"There will be a few changes, but for the most part, the Senate leadership structure will remain as is," said Senator Taylor. "We've got a team that's been working hard and doing well so there's really no need to change the line-up.

A group of state legislators is renewing its call for a cut in workers compensation insurance rates, this time citing a rate decrease request filed by a group representing insurance companies which offer workers comp policies in Oklahoma.

"When the people who are making money writing the workers comp policies request a decrease, you know a rate cut is in order," said Senator Jim Maddox, chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee. "The question now is not whether a rate cut should be implemented, but how large that rate cut should be."

The latest budget estimate released by the State Equalization Board today is another piece of "irrefutable evidence" showing that Oklahoma's economic policies are working, according to a Senate budget leader.

"When the economy is growing so fast that it's producing millions and millions of dollars in growth revenue, you have to conclude that Oklahoma is on the right track, especially when it comes to the economic policies we've enacted in the past decade," said Senator Kelly Haney, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Saying Governor Keating took his best shot at taking over the Legislature and failed, the leader of the Oklahoma Senate is urging the State Chief Executive to drop his confrontational attack style and adopt a more non-partisan approach to governing.