State Sen. Roger Thompson said he was humbled to receive an award from the Oklahoma Farm Bureau (OKFB) for his support of issues important to farmers, ranchers and rural Oklahoma during the 2016 session. Thompson was presented with an OKFB 100 Percent Club coin symbolizing his 100 percent voting record on legislation the organization identified as critical to their mission of supporting agricultural and rural communities.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has honored State Sen. Roger Thompson for his efforts in the Legislature to support the crime investigation agency. OSBI Director Stan Florence presented Thompson with the 2016 OSBI Director’s Award during a ceremony held in Norman on December 13.

Thompson said he was humbled that his efforts were honored by the agency.

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.

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.

STATEMENT FROM SENATOR STRATTON TAYLOR, PRESIDENT PRO TEM:

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.

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:

A bill that would have increased the amount of days between Oklahoma's primary and run-off elections has been sidelined, according to its Senate author.

Senator Larry Dickerson announced today that he would not continue to push SB 748 because there isn't enough time to make the proposed changes this election year.