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.

OKLAHOMA CITY — State Senator Scott Pruitt (R-Broken Arrow) today warned the Health Care Authority that the legislature won't be blackmailed by their attempts to cut services. Pruitt's comments come in response to yesterday's announcement by HCA that they will be cutting $11 million worth of services provided to Oklahomans.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Charting the course to a more prosperous future for Oklahoma families, the Senate Republican caucus released their legislative priorities for the 2002 legislative session. Refuting the notion that the current budget shortfall makes it difficult to initiate change, the Republicans believe that times like this are the exact reason the legislature needs to adopt a new way of doing business at the state capitol.

With the entire state facing a major budget crunch, Senator Carol Martin says the time is right for the legislature to adopt her proposal allowing school districts to share administrative costs.

"Once again, I am proposing a strictly voluntary method of allowing school districts to retain their identities while cutting costs dramatically by sharing administrative costs," explained Senator Martin.

State Senator Johnnie Crutchfield will be pushing for the creation of an Oklahoma sales tax holiday again this year, saying the proposal will save consumers money and boost the state economy at the same time. "I know it's been said about a lot of things, but this truly is a win-win proposition. If we can help families make ends meet and boost economic development all at once, I think we ought to give it a try. We know it works for Texas. Let's make it work for Oklahoma too," said the Ardmore legislator.