In classrooms across Oklahoma, students are getting a chance to meet their state senators and find out exactly what it is that the legislature does. Its part of a national program called Americas Legislators Back to School Week.

The bipartisan program, sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures is aimed at helping students of all ages learn more about state government and their role in a representative democracy. Last year 2,500 state legislators from 48 states participated.

It's time for school boards to use common sense when considering how to deal with students accused of breaking rules, rather than "zero tolerance" policies that don't take individual circumstances into account. That's according to State Senator Keith Leftwich who said he would propose legislation directing school boards to do just that when handling students.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Saying Oklahoma's education budget isn't being used wisely, State Senator Carol Martin believes she has found areas that may be pulling funding from where the money is needed most - the teachers, the students and the schools.

(Oklahoma City) Agnes Stipe, a longtime community volunteer and wife of State Senator Gene Stipe, died in McAlester on Sunday. Mrs. Stipe, 82, had been battling illness for a number of months.

Sen. Stipe was at his wife's side holding her hand when she passed away at the McAlester hospital at approximately 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

Senator Carol Martin announced the kick-off of a joint effort to educate citizens about the deadly connection between so called "club-drugs" and the financing of terrorism. The program, called Shoulder to Shoulder, is the result of a partnership between the Drug Enforcement Agency and National Foundation of Women Legislators. Senator Martin serves as a team leader for the project in Oklahoma.

(Oklahoma City) Legislative leaders are urging Oklahoma tourism officials to use a new state law and other emergency measures at their disposal to address state park sewage problems, instead of requesting a costly and unnecessary special session of the Legislature to address the issue.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"We all agree that the state parks need to be fixed as quickly as possible and we are all working toward that goal. We simply believe that the best and fastest way to get them back into shape is to implement the short-term solutions suggested by DEQ and carry through with the bond issue authorized by SB 1271.

Brooks Douglass announced on Monday that he would not seek another term in the Oklahoma State Senate. The Oklahoma City Republican was first elected to represent Senate District 40 in 1990, but now says he wants to turn his attention to private business opportunities as well as his career in the military.

(Oklahoma City) Issues ranging from daycare staffing to rural 911 service will be the topics of a series of interim studies conducted by the Oklahoma State Senate in the coming months.
Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor announced the approval of the interim studies today, saying the special committee work will help lawmakers prepare for the 2003 legislative session.

A push to require municipalities to pay into two retirement funds for certain volunteer firefighters could severely undermine fire protection in small communities. That's according to Senator Kelly Haney, who has requested an Attorney General's opinion on that issue, as well as whether those same volunteers would have to meet the same physical and agility requirements as full-time fire fighters.