Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson has announced the appointment of Donna K. Windel of Ardmore to the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics.

Governor Brad Henry: "The thing I don't like about it right now is that we are dwelling on this (Stratton Taylor) letter and this (Wall Street Journal) editorial when we ought to be talking about how do we get past that; what are our challenges and let's address those head-on." – Tulsa World, 12-23-03

“I have two children ages 8 and 10. I have often told them that words can hurt, whether or not they are intentional. And, if they do hurt someone, I have taught them to apologize.

“This is what I’m doing now. I am apologizing for a letter I recently wrote that unintentionally hurt my fellow Oklahomans.

“I have always strived to represent my constituents and their values with integrity and honor and I intend to continue to do so for the remainder of my term. However, I can make a mistake and, to quote a former U.S. Senator, “when I do, it’s a doozy.”

(OKLAHOMA CITY) Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson has appointed Anna-Mary Suggs, executive director of the Norman Chamber of Commerce, to the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation.

“Ms. Suggs has always been a strong advocate of education and will be a positive addition to the commission. I am confident she will work hard to ensure that we have competent and qualified teachers in every classroom,” said Hobson, D-Lexington.

(OKLAHOMA CITY) Governor Brad Henry and Legislative leaders announced Thursday details of their plan to ask the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to increase the rates paid to nursing homes, hospitals, doctors and ambulance organizations that provide Medicaid services in Oklahoma.
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The Oklahoma State Senate has launched a new Web site designed to increase public access and understanding of the legislative process. The changes include a simplified URL or Web address, more intuitive navigational tools, better graphics and other improvements to help the public follow events in the senate.
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(OKLAHOMA CITY) The chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee said Monday that he will make fully funding the state’s scholarship program for deserving students whose parents can’t afford to send them to college among the top priorities when the second session of the 49th Oklahoma Legislature convenes in February.
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State Senator J. Berry Harrison, D-Fairfax, presented a proclamation by Governor Brad Henry to Ralston constituent Vonda Goad and many others who suffer from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD), which is also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

An interim committee looking at ways to encourage oil and gas exploration while protecting the environment held its first meeting at the State Capitol today. Senator Kevin Easley, D-Broken Arrow, requested the study and is hopeful it will help the state develop a more comprehensive energy plan.
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State Senator Mike Morgan was in Guthrie Friday afternoon, October 3, to present three-time national champion fiddler Byron Berline with a Citation of Appreciation on behalf of the State Senate honoring the Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival.

“Bluegrass is truly American music and our state has many, many talented bluegrass musicians. This festival brings them together along with musicians from around the world for thousands of fans to enjoy—and it helps provide college scholarships for young musicians,” said Morgan, D-Stillwater.
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