(Oklahoma City) Governor Frank Keating should intervene on behalf of an anti-sexual harassment bill now stalled in the State House, according to the State Senate author of the legislation.

Senator Brad Henry believes that SB 1594 could be revived if Governor Keating would urge House Republicans to support the measure, instead of voting against it as they did on Monday.

The bill was defeated on a 43-55 vote, but remains alive on a motion to reconsider. The vast majority of the "no" votes were cast by Republican legislators.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"Two days ago, we formally asked Governor Keating and Republican legislative leaders to present us with a budget proposal that reflected the most current revenue situation so that we could begin budget negotiations.

"Judging from the governor's press statement, that request was far too difficult and complex for them to comply with.

(Oklahoma City) Governor Keatings congressional redistricting plan would disenfranchise voters in southeastern Oklahoma, preventing them from receiving adequate representation from the state congressional delegation in Washington, DC, according to a coalition of southeastern Oklahoma state legislators.

The House of Representatives has given its final approval to a measure to ensure photographs of a murder victim when they were still alive will be admissible during a trial. The measure, co-authored by Representative Fred Morgan and Senator Glenn Coffee is now ready for Governor Frank Keating's signature.

The legislation is named for Kristie LeGrange, a twenty-six year old Home Based Family Therapist who was brutally murdered by one of her clients.

Oklahoma City - Legislation banning smoking in state owned and state leased buildings, including the State Capitol, was signed into law by the Governor today, making the new restrictions effective July 1st, 2002.

Senate Bill 1553, authored by Senator Ben Robinson (D-Muskogee) and Representative Ray Vaughn (R-Edmond) passed in the Senate after the House approved a committee substitute earlier this month. Before the bill even progressed to the House, the Senate removed original language that banned smoking in many other public places, including restaurants.

(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.

Statement by Senator Jim Dunlap,
Senate Minority Leader

"It's interesting to finally see any kind of plan on congressional redistricting from the majority party. It is also interesting that for the first time in state history, the Democrat leadership is not concerned about the seniority of our congressional delegation. Senator Taylor also makes a point about not crossing county lines, but his map clearly crosses community lines such as Enid, Oklahoma City and Tulsa."

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Senator Jeff Rabon is urging the head of the Department of Human Services and commission members not to cut a program that provides hot meals to tens of thousands of elderly Oklahomans.

Senator Rabon said the commission could vote to eliminate all funding to the Community Expansion for Nutritional Assistance Program during tomorrow's Human Services Commission meeting.

(Oklahoma City) Governor-elect Brad Henry has selected two longtime public servants and a financial officer from the private sector to help lead his gubernatorial administration.

Gerald Adams, a veteran staffer for three Oklahoma attorneys general, will serve as the new governor's chief of staff. Tom Spencer, the chief of staff for the state treasurer's office and a former assistant state attorney general, will act as general counsel in the new administration. Scott Meacham, an Elk City banker, will serve as director of the Office of State Finance.

Senator Frank Shurden announced plans to introduce legislation making cockfighting legal in the counties that voted against a state question banning the sport. The measure would also give every county the option of making cockfighting legal or illegal.