Saying it was important to create an environment that would encourage capital investments and economic growth, Senator Mark Snyder has won committee approval for his legislation phasing out capital-gains taxes.

Our current taxation of long terms capital gains discourages the kind of investment and economic growth Oklahoma must have to become prosperous. My legislation calls for a gradual reduction over the next several years until weve finally eliminated the tax altogether, explained Snyder, R-Edmond.

Statement by Senator Brad Henry,
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee

"My reason for not hearing the covenant marriage bill is pretty simple. I don't think the government should be sticking its nose any further into the private lives of Oklahomans, especially when it comes to marriage. Government shouldn't be in the business of telling people who they should marry or how long they should stay married. That is a personal and private decision that should be left to a husband and wife in consultation with their families and their pastor, not the legislature or the governor.

Saying it's time to do something big for Oklahoma, education and economic development, Senator Brad Henry is preparing to take his proposal for a statewide lottery vote to the full Senate Floor.

SJR 40 cleared a major hurdle late Wednesday when it received the approval of the full Senate Appropriations Committee.

OKLAHOMA CITY Saying he has accomplished all his goals as a state legislator and is looking forward to spending more time with his family, State Senator Paul Muegge announced today that he is retiring from the Oklahoma Legislature.

The veteran legislator from Tonkawa said he would step down at the conclusion of legislative business this year and would not seek re-election to his Senate District 20 office in November. The 65-year old farmer and rancher has represented citizens in Alfalfa, Grant, Kay, Major and Woods counties for the past 12 years.

A bill protecting people who want to express sympathy or condolences is one step closer to becoming law. Thats after the full Senate approved SB 1262 by Senator Glenn Coffee.

Legislation to crack down on prostitution, pimps and their customers has made it half-way through the legislative process; thats after the full Senate Approved Senate Bill 1502. Senator Keith Leftwich and Representative Al Lindley co-authored the measure in response to complaints that hookers and pimps had overrun an Oklahoma City metro neighborhood.

The State Senate has given unanimous approval to a measure aimed at making sure more World War II vets get their long delayed high school diplomas. That's according to Senator Johnnie Crutchfield, author of Senate Bill 900.

Currently, Oklahoma law has a seven year statute of limitations for sex crimes such as rape. But changes in forensic science have made it possible to match samples with a suspect many years after that statute of limitations has passed. That's according to Senator Jonathon Nichols, R-Norman. He and Senator Billy Mickle, D-Durant, have co-authored Senate Bill 1428 which would eliminate that statute of limitations. The full Senate gave its approval to the measure today.

Legislation aimed at giving Oklahomans their own sales tax holiday weekend each August has won approval from the full Senate. Senate Bill 816 by Senator Johnnie Crutchfield would exempt most clothing and footwear purchases of up to $100 beginning the first Friday in August and ending the following Sunday.

Committing an act of terrorism or instigating a hoax related to terrorist activities would soon become a felony under Oklahoma law if State Senator Frank Shurden gets his way. The Henryetta legislator has authored Senate Bill 822 - legislation that would update Oklahoma statutes to include penalties for crimes related to terrorism. While the state already has laws addressing such offenses as murder and assault, Sen. Shurden noted that Oklahoma statutes are largely silent on the issue of terrorism.