Senator Frank Shurden said Governor Frank Keating's veto of a bill to allow castration of convicted rapists would cost Oklahoma taxpayers millions of dollars. That's because the governor said he'd rather see the sex offenders kept in prison for life even after he'd told Senator Shurden if the bill got to his desk, he would sign it.

Legislative leaders announced they would appeal an Oklahoma County District Court decision handed down last month regarding the selection of Governor Frank Keating's plan for redrawing the state's congressional districts.

Senate Bill 935, authored by Senator Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman, had passed both houses unanimously before it was signed into law by Governor Keating this past week. The Norman Republican says that the sales tax at estate sales was a nuisance tax on Oklahoma families that needed to be removed.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"I haven't had time to review the specifics of the court's decision, but obviously, I am disappointed with the ruling.

"I will be talking to Speaker Adair and our attorneys about what our next step may be."

(Oklahoma City) State Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor announced Thursday that he is prepared to file a legal action in support of the Pledge of Allegiance in the wake of a controversial federal court ruling yesterday.

A three-judge federal panel in California struck down the pledge, ruling that the words "under God" violated constitutional provisions regarding the separation of church and state.

(Oklahoma City) Environmental problems at a number of state parks can be addressed with the help of a new state law that was approved by the 2002 Oklahoma Legislature, according to the author of the statute in question.

Senator Dave Herbert, chairman of the Senate Tourism Committee, said that SB 1271 authorizes the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission to initiate a bond issue to address needs under its purview, such as remediation of sewage systems at state parks and recreational areas.

(Oklahoma City) The Oklahoma State Senate has approved a congressional redistricting plan that puts the people ahead of incumbent politicians, according to the author of the legislation, Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor.

SB 1683 reduces the number of congressional districts from six to five to reflect population shifts documented in the 2000 census. The House is expected to take up the measure later this week.

(Oklahoma City) Thousands of retired Oklahoma teachers will get a cost-of-living adjustment under a bill approved by the State Senate Tuesday.

SB 1231 by Senator Mike Morgan would authorize the 3 percent COLA for retired teachers, with an additional benefit for former educators who have 30 years of service or more.

Statement by Senator Jeff Rabon,
Senate District 5 McCurtain, Choctaw, Pushmataha and Atoka counties

NOTE: In his testimony in a congressional redistricting trial in Oklahoma City on Monday, state commerce department official Russell Perry asserted that southeastern Oklahoma was "a severe racist area for African-Americans."

More than anything, Im disappointed and saddened by Mr. Perrys remarks. He is obviously misinformed.

(Oklahoma City) Even though the state is facing a significant budget shortfall next fiscal year, Oklahoma's K-12 public schools will receive a slight funding increase next year thanks to additional funding earmarked for increased teacher health benefits, according to a Senate budget leader.