(Oklahoma City) In an effort to get budget talks moving, the leader of the Oklahoma State Senate is offering to hold a floor vote on a Republican-sponsored retirement bill that would make major changes in the pension systems for teachers and public employees.

Although he vehemently opposes the proposed legislation, Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor said Governor Keating and GOP legislative leaders have told him it is one of their top priorities and a key to their yet-to-be-made-public budget plan.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"I guess this means that Governor Keating doesn't want us to debate his retirement proposal or his consolidation plans. If he wasn't really interested in pursuing those issues, he could have saved us all a lot of time by not requesting a hearing in the first place.

"This is a perfect illustration of why it is so frustrating to try and conduct budget negotiations with Governor Keating and his Republican colleagues. They request something, we comply and then they say they really didn't want it.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"In order for Governor Keating's budget plan to balance, whether it is his original proposal or his revised one, he has to pass his 401(k) state employees/teacher retirement program. It's the linchpin of his budget. The sooner that we vote on the Republican retirement program, the sooner that we will know whether Governor Keating's overall budget plan will work. If it fails, the governor will be back to square one.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

(Oklahoma City) Because Governor Keating has apparently abandoned his pursuit of a controversial state pension overhaul, both his original and revised state budget plans are hopelessly out of balance, according to the leader of the Oklahoma State Senate.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

Senator Grover Campbell has asked State Attorney General Drew Edmondson for an official opinion on whether transferable tax credits are in violation of the state's constitution. The answer could have a direct impact on legislation such as a bill recently signed into law giving Great Plains Airlines $9 million in transferable tax credits. That's in addition to another $18 million in transferable tax credits previously given to Great Plains.

Concerned about the lack of support for a legislative package to let the public decide on whether to temporarily increase fuel prices to pay for transportation projects, Senator Robert Milacek has announced his decision to withdraw the legislation.

The reality is this is an election year. Even though my legislation would have let the voters decide whether to temporarily increase fuel taxes, there were many lawmakers who were concerned that their support could hurt them at the polls, said Milacek.

Senator Jonathan Nichols has won approval from the full Senate for a measure to exempt estate sales from taxation. The Norman Republican says the whole idea is to make dealing with the loss of a loved one less complicated for the family.

Senator Charles Ford announced the dedication of another original painting commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund Inc. The painting of the Creek Council Oak Tree by internationally known artist Mike Larsen was unveiled during a ceremony in the State Senate Chamber this afternoon.

(Oklahoma City) State Senator Larry Dickerson remains in critical condition at an Oklahoma City hospital. Family members said Dickerson slipped into an irreversible coma Wednesday.

The Poteau legislator was admitted late Tuesday night after feeling ill. Dickerson, who has been battling cancer for the past three years, has been recovering from a series of treatments and surgery related to the disease in recent months.