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.

OKLAHOMA CITY - State Senator Jeff Rabon (D-Hugo) is introducing legislation giving sales tax credits to companies or individuals that develop tourism projects.

"The idea is simple and more importantly successful," said Senator Rabon. "Qualifying companies or individuals would be able to receive back a large portion of their sales taxes just for developing tourism. It's the same principle used by the Quality Jobs Act which pays companies a portion of its payroll in return for expansion or new hires."

The State Regents for Higher Education will violate state law if they implement an initiative designed to give them greater control over Rogers University, according to Senator Charles Ford. Last week, it was revealed the regents were working on a plan to shake up the four-school consortium and reduce the influence of the local Rogers University board.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Seven members of the Oklahoma State Legislature are in Houston to hear presentations and participate in tours hosted by three Texas companies.

The Legislators are members of the Joint Electric Utility Task Force. The Houston trip is designed to see first-hand how electricity is traded.

During the upcoming legislative session, the task force members will serve as the "eyes and ears" for the entire legislature regarding technical issues as Oklahoma moves toward electric choice by the year 2002, as called for in Senate Bill 500.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Legislation proposed for the 1998 State Legislature would give Oklahoma communities a tool to limit the unimpeded expansion of concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs.

State Senator Bill Gustafson (R-El Reno) has introduced a bill to give county commissioners the authority to call a special election for the purpose of placing size limits on CAFOs. If approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor, the bill could impact future concentrated animal feeding facilities.

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Special Senate Interim Committee's second meeting on Pipeline Easements is scheduled for November 25. State Senator Paul Muegge (D-Tonkawa) serves as chairman of the interim committee.

"The meetings are designed for lawmakers to hear both sides of the pipeline easement issue," said Senator Muegge. "I'm hopeful that we can continue to gather input from pipeline company representatives and landowners as we work our way toward resolving differences over easements."

Saying it could needlessly squander millions of taxpayers' dollars that would be better spent on new roads, a state lawmaker is calling for a massive highway bond issue to be recalled and declared invalid.

"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to realize that this is a very bad deal for the people of Oklahoma. The way it's set up bond underwriters are going to make a lot of money at the expense of Oklahoma taxpayers," said Senator Dave Herbert.

Citing recent advice from economic experts, a Senate leader is urging continued investment in education to boost Oklahoma's economic fortunes, particularly its personal income.

"Every time an economic expert analyzes our state, the advice is the same: Invest in education if you want your economic growth to continue and your personal income to rise. I for one am going to make sure we heed that advice, and put education at the top of the legislative agenda again," said Senator Darryl Roberts, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education.