Responding to an avalanche of orchestrated media efforts by Republicans and others who are calling for a premature conclusion of the airplane inquiry, legislative leaders and the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on State Aircraft today reiterated their plan to proceed as scheduled. Representative Bill Settle and Senator Billy Mickle cited evidence uncovered by testimony to date indicating serious problems with the airplane purchase.

A Weekly Update on all of the Good News about Oklahoma

Because much of the good news about our state is sometimes overlooked by state leaders and others, many positive developments and success stories in Oklahoma go unreported. It is our hope that "Oklahoma Pride," a weekly publication of the Oklahoma Senate, will ensure that the best stories about Oklahoma are told.

For example, this week in Oklahoma, did you know that......

The latest revenue report from the Office of State Finance indicates continued growth in the Oklahoma economy, a sign that the state's economic policies are on the right track, according to a Senate budget leader.

"This is just more good news for Oklahoma. Whenever revenue collections increase, it means our economy is growing. Business, both small and large, is thriving in Oklahoma," said Senator Kelly Haney, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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

Oklahoma is in the top two when it comes to producing high-paying manufacturing jobs, according to a new economic report produced by Arizona State University. The Blue Chip Job Growth Update ranked Oklahoma second nationally for its manufacturing job growth in January.

A Weekly Update on all of the Good News about Oklahoma

Because much of the good news about our state is sometimes overlooked by state leaders and others, many positive developments and success stories in Oklahoma go unreported. It is our hope that "Oklahoma Pride," a weekly publication of the Oklahoma Senate, will ensure that the best stories about Oklahoma are told.

For example, this week in Oklahoma, did you know that......

Senator Bruce Price is offering a helping hand to a new hog industry study commission created by Governor Keating, saying legislators have been working on the issue for a number of months.

"This has been a pressing issue in rural Oklahoma for some time. That's why we decided to get an early jump on it in the Legislature," said Senator Price.

"I think it would only be appropriate to offer our resources to Governor Keating since his study panel is just getting started."

A Weekly Update on all of the Good News about Oklahoma

Because much of the good news about our state is sometimes overlooked by state leaders and others, many positive developments and success stories in Oklahoma go unreported. It is our hope that "Oklahoma Pride," a weekly publication of the Oklahoma Senate, will ensure that the best stories about Oklahoma are told.

For example, this week in Oklahoma, did you know that......

The chairman of the Senate Education Committee is proposing her own "4 by 4" education program in an effort to better prepare students and teachers for the demands of today's classrooms.

"We need to provide our students and teachers with what they need to succeed. We can't just wave a magic wand, order them to do better and expect it to happen," said Senator Penny Williams.

The Williams "4 by 4" program would pump additional resources into four crucial areas of education:

In a continuing effort to prevent Oklahoma's best state employees from jumping to higher-paying jobs in the private sector, Senate budget leaders announced a pay raise program for state employees today.

"The simple fact of the matter is we pay our state employees less to perform the same duties and responsibilities than their counterparts in the private sector do. Consequently, we consistently lose our best workers to better-paying jobs in the private sector," noted Senator Kelly Haney, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

OKLAHOMA CITY - The State Senate has voted in favor of legislation which would give the public access to information regarding the whereabouts of registered sex offenders. Senator Jerry Smith is author of Senate Bill 723.

"Two years ago we passed a law which required convicted sex offenders to register with local law enforcement, with schools and other childcare providers having access to that information," said Smith, R-Tulsa..

"Now it's time to take the next step. We need to give the public access to that list."