OKLAHOMA CITY - "The only difference between the latest legislative and executive budget proposals is education. We're trying to invest a significant amount of our growth revenue in our most effective economic development tool, education. Tom Daxon, on the other hand, would prefer to throw a few scraps to the public schools and let our economic development efforts wither on the vine. To ignore the needs of education as Mr. Daxon advocates is reckless behavior by any measure."

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

Despite veto threats from Governor Keating, a Senate budget leader insists that education will continue to be the Legislature's top funding priority this year.

"I'm very disappointed that Governor Keating has chosen to enter budget negotiations with a hostile attitude toward public education," said Senator Kelly Haney, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "Every time he threatens to veto an education budget bill, he sends the signal nationwide that Oklahoma isn't interested in building a business-friendly environment to promote economic development.

STATEMENT FROM SENATOR STRATTON TAYLOR, PRESIDENT PRO TEM:

Oklahoma business owners could benefit from another reduction in the state unemployment tax if Senator Lewis Long gets his way. The Glenpool legislator is currently drafting legislation that would cut the tax by another $38 million, in addition to boosting benefits for displaced workers.

"Thanks to the economic growth we've experienced, the state is piling up surplus money in the unemployment fund. I think we should return that money to the people who paid it in the first place and give unemployed workers a helping hand at the same time," said Senator Long.

The chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee will lead the legislative push to regulate hog and poultry farming operations this coming legislative session. Senator Paul Muegge is in the process of drafting legislation that will ultimately carry proposals based upon the recommendations of Governor Keating's Waste and Water Quality Protection Task Force.

Two of Tulsa's leading state lawmakers are asking the State Regents for Higher Education to put their latest proposal for Tulsa higher education in written legislation. Senator Penny Williams and Senator Charles Ford want a concrete pledge that any future changes to the current Rogers University structure will benefit the students and stakeholders in Oklahoma's second largest city.

In an effort to ensure that the students of Rogers University retain their voice in the administration of the institution, some Tulsa state lawmakers have unveiled a "Contract with the Consumers" detailing the priorities that should be kept in mind during the ongoing debate about RU's future. The State Regents for Higher Education have proposed an overhaul of Rogers University.

The chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Animal Waste and Water Quality is calling the panel's first meeting today a "good, first step," stressing that the hog and poultry farming issue will remain at the top of the legislative priority list.

Citing a surplus at the State Insurance Fund, two prominent legislators are calling for the fund's board to approve a dividend for the Oklahoma businesses it insures. Senator Ben Robinson and Representative Bill Settle are asking the fund board to implement a one-time dividend ranging from $60 million to $100 million.

"When there's a surplus at the fund, that means Oklahoma businesses are paying too much for their insurance. A lot of small businesses around Oklahoma are insured by the fund and they would benefit greatly from a dividend," said Senator Robinson.