State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Tuesday’s passage by the State Senate of the $1.95 billion common education budget for fiscal year 2004 is a major victory for the people of Oklahoma, Senate Republican Leader James A. Williamson said.

Senator Charles Ford announced the dedication of another original painting commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund Inc. The painting, entitled “S.W. Woodhouse at Lost City,” was created by acknowledged national painter Wayne Cooper of Depew, OK, and was unveiled during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber Wednesday afternoon.
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State Senate President Pro Tempore Emeritus Stratton Taylor, D-Claremore, released a report today explaining the seriousness of the current budget crisis. The State Equalization Board sometime back subtracted another $77 million from funds available for appropriation. That brings the budget gap to the total amount of $677 million.

“Many of our most precious programs, such as education, services for elderly, mental health patients and veterans are at risk because of the crisis, which is possibly the worst in state history,” Taylor stressed.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Senator Stratton Taylor‘s budget scare tactics are irresponsible, Senate Republican Floor Leader James A. Williamson said. Taylor, D-Claremore, released a so-called budget “report” Thursday that wrongly claims draconian cuts to government will be necessary following last week’s bipartisan balanced budget agreement.
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State Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson is hopeful Governor Henry will sign a measure aimed at leveling the playing field for Oklahoma businesses selling construction materials. Senate Bill 5, which is co-authored by Representative Ron Langmacher, D-Carnegie, would ensure that building materials are taxed at the point of delivery rather than the point at which the items were purchased.
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Senator Charles Ford announced the dedication of another original painting commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. The painting, titled “Transfer of the Louisiana Purchase-1803” by nationally renowned artist Mike Wimmer of Norman, was unveiled during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber this afternoon. Senator Ford noted 2003 marks the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase, a key event in Oklahoma and American history.
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Unfunded mandates by any other name are still unfunded mandates, and legislation proposing new unfunded mandates should stand the scrutiny of the General Conference Committee on Appropriations, Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson said Monday.

The Senate voted Monday afternoon to reject House Amendments on Senate Bill 492, a measure that would require doctors to provide additional information to women seeking abortions. The measure also includes additional reporting requirements.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Senator Scott Pruitt expressed disappointment that Senate Democrat leaders turned a vote on pro-life legislation into a partisan issue Monday, leading majority Democrats in the Senate to vote to send the bill to a conference committee instead of to the Governor to be signed into law.

Legislation that would facilitate the construction of an international trade center has passed the Oklahoma State Senate with unanimous support and now heads to the House. According to Senator Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman, Senate Bill 439 will help small and medium size businesses engage in international trade.

A piece of legislation designed to curb bullying in the state's elementary and secondary schools is making an impact not only in Oklahoma, but also in schools across the nation, according to Senator Herb Rozell, D-Tahlequah.