OKLAHOMA CITY - State Senator Jeff Rabon (D-Hugo) is introducing legislation giving sales tax credits to companies or individuals that develop tourism projects.

"The idea is simple and more importantly successful," said Senator Rabon. "Qualifying companies or individuals would be able to receive back a large portion of their sales taxes just for developing tourism. It's the same principle used by the Quality Jobs Act which pays companies a portion of its payroll in return for expansion or new hires."

Citing a surplus at the State Insurance Fund, two prominent legislators are calling for the fund's board to approve a dividend for the Oklahoma businesses it insures. Senator Ben Robinson and Representative Bill Settle are asking the fund board to implement a one-time dividend ranging from $60 million to $100 million.

"When there's a surplus at the fund, that means Oklahoma businesses are paying too much for their insurance. A lot of small businesses around Oklahoma are insured by the fund and they would benefit greatly from a dividend," said Senator Robinson.

The chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Animal Waste and Water Quality is calling the panel's first meeting today a "good, first step," stressing that the hog and poultry farming issue will remain at the top of the legislative priority list.

In an effort to ensure that the students of Rogers University retain their voice in the administration of the institution, some Tulsa state lawmakers have unveiled a "Contract with the Consumers" detailing the priorities that should be kept in mind during the ongoing debate about RU's future. The State Regents for Higher Education have proposed an overhaul of Rogers University.

Two of Tulsa's leading state lawmakers are asking the State Regents for Higher Education to put their latest proposal for Tulsa higher education in written legislation. Senator Penny Williams and Senator Charles Ford want a concrete pledge that any future changes to the current Rogers University structure will benefit the students and stakeholders in Oklahoma's second largest city.

The chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee will lead the legislative push to regulate hog and poultry farming operations this coming legislative session. Senator Paul Muegge is in the process of drafting legislation that will ultimately carry proposals based upon the recommendations of Governor Keating's Waste and Water Quality Protection Task Force.

Oklahoma business owners could benefit from another reduction in the state unemployment tax if Senator Lewis Long gets his way. The Glenpool legislator is currently drafting legislation that would cut the tax by another $38 million, in addition to boosting benefits for displaced workers.

"Thanks to the economic growth we've experienced, the state is piling up surplus money in the unemployment fund. I think we should return that money to the people who paid it in the first place and give unemployed workers a helping hand at the same time," said Senator Long.

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:

(Oklahoma City) Oklahoma public school teachers and education support personnel will receive expanded health care benefits under legislation passed by the State Senate Wednesday.

HB 1968 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield and Rep. Kenneth Corn was approved on a unanimous 42-0 vote.

"In order to attract and retain the best teachers in Oklahoma, we have to offer a competitive compensation package. By boosting health benefits, we can better compete with the other states that routinely raid Oklahoma to fill their teaching ranks," said Sen. Crutchfield.