New safeguards designed to keep tobacco products out of the hands of Oklahoma youngsters will be on the agenda when the Legislature convenes in February.

State Senator Mike Morgan has filed SB 1310 - legislation that would strengthen state laws that address tobacco sales to minors and related issues.

A lawsuit advocated by Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode could torpedo a tax relief law that helps Oklahoma oil producers, plunging the state energy industry into deeper turmoil and costing the state thousands of jobs in the process, according to a state legislator.

(Oklahoma City) Tougher laws against terrorism, better intelligence gathering capabilities and higher security levels at state facilities are just some of the recommendations made by a special panel that has been investigating Oklahoma's security needs in recent months.

The Joint Homeland Security Task Force released its final report and recommendations at a State Capitol news conference Thursday.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Senate Republicans today challenged Governor Brad Henry to stand with the people of Oklahoma against recent liberal court rulings across the nation.

“We would like to know if he agrees with his fellow Democrat, Senator Bernest Cain, who said anyone who opposes the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage is a bigot. Or does the governor agree with the vast majority of Oklahomans that marriage is a sacred institution that should be protected?” said Senate Republican Leader James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa.

(NORMAN) Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson said Thursday he is “humbled and honored” by the designation of the new Cleveland County Health Department facility as the Cal Hobson Center.

The new $4 million center, which located on 12th Avenue SE in Norman, held an open house Thursday afternoon in conjunction with ceremonies honoring the 25-year legislative veteran from nearby Lexington.

Hobson said there are many others worthy of praise – including the 87 employees of the Cleveland County Health Department.
read more.

State Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson and State Representative Thad Balkman have filed legislation calling for a statewide vote to allow future Oklahoma governors to appoint the state school superintendent. Currently, that position is an elected, statewide office.
read more.

Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Stratton Taylor, D-Claremore, is asking Secretary of Transportation and Oklahoma Transportation Authority head, Phil Tomlinson, for answers on a poor performance during Wednesday’s snow storm.

“I personally drove the Creek Turnpike that day and OTA, in my mind, got a failing grade,” said Taylor. “The section between Highway 169 and Highway 75, which is the most traveled portion of the turnpike, was in absolutely terrible condition at 9 a.m., and appeared to have had minimal, if any, maintenance work performed on it.”
read more.

A proposal that would raise the state's fuel taxes to generate funds for road repair would likely be sent to a vote of the people in the next general election, according to Sen. Robert Milacek, R-Enid.

Milacek, who plans to propose legislation this session that would raise fuel taxes gradually over several years, requested an opinion on revenue-raising bills from the office of Attorney General Drew Edmondson earlier this year.

State Senator Debbe Leftwich is officially on the job. This afternoon, Leftwich was sworn in as the newest member of the Oklahoma State Senate.

The South Oklahoma City Democrat won the seat in a special election last week, succeeding her husband Keith who lost his battle to cancer in September.

Family members, friends and supporters looked on while State Supreme Court Justice Marian Opala administered the oath of office to Senator Leftwich during a ceremony in the senate chamber.
read more.

Pfc. Shelly Daniels received a special senate citation today from Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City, and Rep. Dale DeWitt, R-Braman, during a ceremony at the American Red Cross Cherokee Strip Chapter headquarters in her hometown of Blackwell.

In October, Daniels and two other members of her U.S. Army unit were on patrol in Baghdad when they were injured during a rocket attack on their Humvee. Daniels received wounds in her left shoulder and collarbone, suffered a collapsed lung and was temporarily paralyzed. She is now recovering at home in Blackwell.
read more.