A bill authored by Senator Jim Maddox, D-Lawton, would boost support for the Oklahoma Wind Power Initiative (OWPI) and its efforts to promote wind energy resources as an economic development tool.

SB 342 would send additional funding to the OWPI, which is located at the University of Oklahoma's Environmental Verification and Analysis Center. The Senate passed the measure on February 26th.

Senator Mike Morgan and Representative Dan Boren announced Wednesday that they have agreed to withdraw Senate Bill 637 from consideration during the current legislative session, citing their desire to further study the issue.

Morgan, D-Stillwater, is the principal author of the measure. Boren, D-Seminole, is the House author.
Senate Bill 637 would change the way judges are appointed to the state's Worker's Compensation Court.

The State Senate has voiced its support for the thousands of Oklahomans who have already been deployed. That support came in the form of Senate Concurrent Resolution 13, co-authored by the Democrat and Republican leaders of the Senate.

We have more than 3,600 Oklahomans in the National Guard and the Reserve who have already been activated. Its important that those men and women and their families know we appreciate their sacrifice and stand united with them, said Senate Majority Leader Ted Fisher of Sapulpa.

Senate and House Democratic leaders, Senate Republican leadership and Governor Brad Henry have agreed on emergency funding solutions that will prevent Medicaid cuts for more than 139,000 Oklahomans and reduce prison guard furloughs for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson and House Speaker Larry Adair joined Senate Minority Leader James A. Williamson and Governor Henry in announcing plans Wednesday for a $9 million supplemental appropriation for the Department of Corrections and $7.2 million for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.

State Senator Daisy Lawler is awaiting action by the House of Representatives on a measure clearing the way for inpatient hospice care throughout the state.

Senate Bill 591 has already won approval by the full Senate and is now awaiting action in the opposite chamber. The measure would authorize the Department of Health to create a licensing process and would establish set standards. The legislation would also allow regular inspections of inpatient hospice facilities.

State Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson is urging Democrat leaders to allow an immediate vote on public school funding. The Oklahoma City Republican said that without it, one of the state’s largest school districts will be forced to slash teaching jobs. According to media reports, the Moore School Board could vote tonight to cut nearly 80 teaching and counseling positions. School Boards have only until April 10th to notify teachers whether they will still have a job in the fall.

Senator Charles Ford announced the dedication of another original painting commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund Inc. The painting, entitled Whitetail Deer in Choctaw Country, was created nationally renowned artist Ross Myers of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was unveiled during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber Tuesday afternoon.

Senator Charles Ford announced the dedication of another original painting commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund Inc. The painting, entitled Game Birds at Glass Mountain, was created by prominent regional artist Harold T. Holden of Enid, Oklahoma, and was unveiled during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber Wednesday afternoon.

Statement by Senator Cal Hobson,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"With the Senate approval of this proposal to take $25.5 million from the state rainy day fund, our public schools are one step closer to getting some relief in the face of this budget shortfall.

"However, this amount will simply reduce the size of the funding reductions our schools face. Education, health, public safety, transportation and every other area of state government still face dramatic cuts that could eventually touch every single family in this state one way or another.

Senator Keith Leftwich author of Senate Bill 276 cleared another legislative hurdle on Monday February 24th.

The Democrat from South Oklahoma City enabled passage of the bill on the Senate floor. The bill will prohibit notary publics from providing legal advice on any proceeding in relation to immigration or citizenship.