State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Senate Republican Floor Leader James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa, made the following statement:

“On behalf of the Senate Republican Caucus, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the Leftwich family in their time of loss. Keith Leftwich was a principled public servant, and we commend him for his commitment to and love for the state of Oklahoma. Senator Leftwich will be deeply missed by his Senate colleagues.”
 

Although Senator Keith Leftwich lost his battle with cancer on Friday, the South Oklahoma City Democrat left the state an important legacy of public service and legislation that made Oklahoma a better place to live, work and raise a family. The 49-year-old lawmaker died at approximately 10:30 this morning. He was initially diagnosed with cancer in January 2002. He is survived by his wife Debbe and their sons, Kurt and Kevin.
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(Oklahoma City) Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson announced today the appointment of two veteran senators to fill key committee chairmanships that had been held by the late Senator Keith Leftwich.

Senate President Pro Tempore Emeritus Stratton Taylor, D-Claremore, will assume chairmanship of the Senate Transportation Committee. Senator Gilmer Capps, D-Snyder, will chair the Senate Appropriations Sub-committee on General Government and Transportation.
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(Oklahoma City) Senate Majority Whip Sam Helton, D-Lawton, has been appointed to the state commission dedicated to protecting Oklahoma’s military installations from being downsized or closed.

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson, D-Lexington, announced Helton’s appointment to the Oklahoma Strategic Military Planning Commission Tuesday. He replaces the late Senator Keith Leftwich on the commission.

Fort Sill in Lawton is in Helton’s Senate district.

Issues ranging from judicial campaign finance reform to for-profit after school programs at public schools will be the topics of a series of interim studies conducted by the Oklahoma State Senate in the coming months.

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson announced the approval of the interim studies today and said the special committee work will help lawmakers prepare for the 2004 legislative session.
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Senator Robert Milacek, R-Enid, announced today that he will not seek re-election to the Senate District 19 seat in 2004. Senate District 19 includes Garfield, Kingfisher, and Logan Counties.

“After much thought, consideration and consultation with my family, I have decided not to seek a third Senate term in 2004. I will be working with our leadership and party officials to ensure that we keep this seat for the Republican Party,” said Senator Milacek.
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(Oklahoma City) -- The newly created Legislative Oversight Committee on State Budget Performance will hold its first meeting Monday, August 25, Senate Appropriations Chairman Mike Morgan announced Wednesday.

“Zero-based budgeting was a major issue in Governor Henry’s campaign a year ago. We established this committee through legislation last spring to change the way the Legislature approaches writing the budget. We’re going to examine every dollar appropriated to every state agency,” Morgan said.
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(Oklahoma City) Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson has appointed Ada oilman Steven Michael “Mike” Cantrell to the Grand River Dam Authority.

“I am pleased to be able to add Mr. Cantrell to this important board. His contributions to the energy industry in Oklahoma and his volunteer efforts with organizations committed to making his hometown and this state a better place to live will make him an asset to the Grand River Dam Authority,” said Hobson, D-Lexington.
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(Oklahoma City) Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson has appointed Anne M. Roberts of Norman to a four-year term on the governing board of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.

Roberts is the executive director of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, a non-partisan statewide organization committed to improving the lives and life chances of children and youth through system change at the local and state level. She has held that position since 1989.
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State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Republicans in the state Senate announced a proposal for the use of $216 million in federal aid coming to Oklahoma as a result of President Bush’s historic tax relief and job growth package.

“The Senate Republican plan ensures these funds will be used wisely instead of being wasted on government pork or on the pet projects of Democrat legislators,” stated Senate Republican Leader James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa.