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.

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."