When he returns to the State Capitol for the coming legislative session, State Senator Darryl Roberts will serve as one of the top budget leaders in the Oklahoma Legislature.

The Ardmore legislator was named chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education today, the committee that controls almost 60 percent of the state's $3.8 billion budget.

"This is a great opportunity, not just for me, but for all the people in southern Oklahoma. I'm going to make sure our area schools aren't neglected in the big budget picture," said Senator Roberts.

The 1997 class of the Oklahoma State Senate is officially in place today.

New Senators and incumbents who won re-election bids were formally sworn-in this morning by Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Alma Wilson.

The lawmakers were administered the oath of office during ceremonies in the Senate Chamber. Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor presided over the occasion.

Citing new statistics showing the positive impact of recent reforms, several state legislators are calling on the State Board for Property and Casualty Rates to cut workers compensation insurance rates again this year.

"The numbers we've seen indicate the reforms of recent years are working and workers compensation costs are coming down," said Senator Jim Maddox, chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee. "We want the board to pass the savings on to Oklahoma business owners and the quicker, the better."

Saying he opposed giving Governor Keating a state plane because he feared the Governor would abuse the privilege, a state legislator is expressing disappointment about revelations that Keating has billed the taxpayers for flight expenses stemming from travel to and from partisan political events.

"I hate to say 'I told you so,' but these are the same concerns I raised when Governor Keating started trying to finagle his own airplane," said Senator Kevin Easley, who as a member of the legislative bond oversight commission refused to vote for the Governor's plane deal.

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.

"Just when it seems like we've peaked, our economic numbers get better," said Senator Kelly Haney, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "The latest numbers indicate that we're doing a lot of things right on the economic development front."

Senator Haney was referring to the September revenue collection report issued by the Office of State Finance today.

Statement from Senator Cal Hobson, Vice-chairman Senate Appropriations Committee:

"Comparing Mr. Quinlan's experience in Ohio with the proposed project in Oklahoma is like comparing apples to oranges. Mr. Quinlan would be operating in a far different capacity under much different circumstances in Oklahoma than he did in Ohio.

First, in Ohio, Mr. Quinlan was part of a study committee. He was one voice of many. In Oklahoma, Governor Keating wants him to be a committee of one. He would be the only voice we hear on corrections.

A Senate budget leader is standing by a recent Senate analysis on transportation spending, saying a new study cited by a Keating appointee today is suspect because it was compiled by an organization that represents contractors who make a profit off of road construction.

"Our data came from the U.S. Census Bureau, theirs came from people who make money off of road construction," said Senator Kelly Haney, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, who requested the study.

"Based on the source, I don't think the TRIP study is worth the paper it's printed on."

Today, state Senator Cal Hobson said the Governor misses the point when he claims a private prison industry executive he asked to study Oklahoma's prison system was recommended by a high ranking Democratic official.

"J. Michael Quinlan may have been recommended by the Attorney General. He has fine credentials and I'm sure he's a nice guy, but that's not the point," said Hobson, D-Lexington. "The point is J. Michael Quinlan and his employer stand to make a profit from his recommendations to the state."

If Governor Keating is intent on using a private prison consultant with "an obvious conflict of interest" to conduct a study of Oklahoma's prison system, he should require him to sign an agreement stating that his company cannot benefit from his examination or anything that may result from it.

The Oklahoma Senate will move to approve an emergency appropriation for the State Ethics Commission when it reconvenes in February, according to the leader of the Senate. The action is designed to offset the negative impact of a funding veto handed down by Governor Keating in May.

"Because of Governor Keating's veto, the ethics commission can't do the job it is constitutionally required to do," said Senator Stratton Taylor, President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate. "We have to provide it with the resources it needs to be the watchdog of state government.