State Senator Robert Milacek announced on Tuesday that legislation to let Oklahomans vote on a fuel tax hike for transportation is dead for the legislative session. The Enid Republican blamed high fuel prices for the decision.

“It’s disappointing, because we’ve been working on this a long time. I believe we had an excellent shot of passing the bill and getting it to a vote of the people—but no one could have predicted the gas prices we’ve been seeing,” Milacek said.
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Tort Reform Committee Chairpersons Cite Wall Street Journal Story

The special joint House-Senate Committee on Tort Reform has already adopted a provision lauded by medical professionals in a front page story in Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal as the most effective tool at stemming malpractice lawsuits.

The “I’m sorry” provision allows doctors and other health care professionals to apologize to patients and their families – in the event of an undesirable medical outcome – without fear that the apology can be used against them in a future lawsuit.
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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 “Mahongo” by nationally renowned artist Mike Wimmer of Norman, was unveiled during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber this afternoon.
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Two measures authorizing municipalities to allow disabled people to use golf carts on city streets are still awaiting final action by the House and Senate. The Senate author of one of those measures wanted to clarify the status of the bills after some newspapers and broadcasters reported that one had been signed into law.

Both House Bill 2367 and Senate Bill 1461 are still in conference committees. Each was written in response to the case of a disabled Claremore resident ticketed by local police for driving his golf cart on city streets.

The Oklahoma State Senate passed a measure Thursday that will give Oklahomans another chance to vote on the cockfighting issue. Senate Bill 835 by Senator Frank Shurden, D-Henryetta, would reduce the penalty for cockfighting from a felony to a misdemeanor.

"The law was not well written," said Shurden. "We send people to prison for far less time for crimes such as the rape of a child. The punishment doesn't fit the crime, and I don't think this is what the voters intended."
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“We have taken a giant step today toward making Oklahoma a healthier place to live. We’ve got a couple more steps to take, but I’m confident that we’re going to get there.

I applaud the 66 House members who had the courage to stand up against those who would continue to put profits from tobacco above the health of current and future generations of Oklahomans.

MEASURE: Conference Committee Substitute for House Bill 2660

SUBJECT: Cigarette and Tobacco Products Tax

AUTHORS: Speaker Adair and Representative Pope and Senators Hobson and Monson

PROVISIONS: SECTION 1: Sends to a vote of the people at the November 2004 General Election for their approval or rejection Sections 2 through 19 of this act.

Oklahoma Senators today gave final approval to Governor Henry’s Health Initiative sending a proposed tobacco tax increase to the vote of the people in November.
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Oklahoma should jump on the job growth bandwagon by passing lawsuit reform, workers comp reform

Senator James Dunlap, R-Bartlesville, said Friday that there is clear evidence that President George W. Bush’s tax cuts have provided a significant boost to the U.S. economy.

Senate Republican Leader James Williamson disagreed with the assessment of Senate President Pro Tem Cal Hobson that Friday’s Senate vote on a tobacco tax bill (House Bill 2660) was the most important vote since House Bill 1017 in 1990.

“Health care is a very important issue in the state, as the level of support for HB 2660 bears out. But in my opinion, if the Legislature fails to pass a meaningful lawsuit reform bill and does not address workers compensation reform this year, the 2004 legislative session can only go down as a failure,” said Williamson, R-Tulsa.