In order to provide equal access and equal opportunity to people with diverse abilities, this site has been designed with accessibility in mind. Click here to view
Oklahoma Senate
I first met Helen Cole in 1980, when I was working as executive secretary for the State Republican Party. Through the years we often discussed politics, public service, and what it was like for a woman to serve in the legislature. When Senator Cole decided not to seek another term 8 years ago, I was elected to the Senate District 45 seat that she held. She continued to be a great friend and mentor to me as I began my service in the Senate.
I cannot even begin to describe my love and admiration for Helen, or the depths of this loss.
read more.
A bill that would pay 100 percent of state teacher’s single insurance premiums has cleared yet another legislative hurdle. HB 2662 authored by Senator Kenneth Corn and House of Representatives Speaker Larry Adair would provide state teacher’s with much needed financial relief.
The measure provides that all state teachers and principals receive 100 percent of their single insurance premiums under the Health Choice High Option to be paid for by the state. An important amendment was also made to HB 2662 to protect teachers from losing a portion of their salary.
read more.
Senator Frank Shurden and Representative Rebecca Hamilton called a press conference on Thursday after an Oklahoma City Mexican-American family was charged for violating the state's anti-cockfighting law. The lawmakers denounced the law and the treatment of the family as unfair.
Three members of the Zarate family each had felony charges brought against them on March 29, in the Oklahoma County District Court, for possession and intent to engage in cockfighting. They were the first people charged with violating the state law.
read more.
The Oklahoma State Senate voted 41-1 Thursday in favor of legislation that calls for the issuance of revenue bonds to help Oklahoma “catch up” on state matching funds for endowed chairs at the state’s colleges and universities.
The measure, which was amended by the Senate, will now return to the House of Representatives.
read more.
State Representative Mary Easley is now Senator Mary Easley. The Tulsa Democrat was officially sworn in during a ceremony at the State Capitol on Monday. Friends and family members were present in the Senate Chamber as State Supreme Court Justice Marian Opala administered the oath of office.
read more.
Senator Frank Shurden, a Democrat from Henryetta, today called organizations like the Coalition to Ban Cockfighting, The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Humane Society of the U.S. a “bunch of phonies.”
“They really don’t give a damn about animals or chickens,” Senator Shurden stated. “They are only interested in punishing people.”
Shurden said the City of Oklahoma City confiscated about 90 chickens 75 days ago on January 29, 2004 from a poor Mexican-American family.
read more.
Senator Charles Ford announced the unveiling of a portrait of Admiral William J. Crowe, the latest in a series of paintings commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. The portrait by nationally- renowned artist Mike Wimmer of Norman, was unveiled during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber this afternoon.
read more.
The State Senate approved House Bill 2661 Wednesday, officially sending the measure to a House-Senate Conference Committee.
The 23 members of a special House-Senate committee on tort reform are scheduled to hear testimony in the first of four scheduled open hearings at 1 p.m. Thursday. Senator Mike Morgan and Representative Jari Askins will serve as co-chairs of the committee.
read more.
Despite efforts by the Democrat leadership throughout the legislative session to kill the issue, the Senate passed a bill that sends to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment defining marriage in Oklahoma as only between one man and one woman and prohibiting the state from recognizing homosexual marriages performed outside Oklahoma.
read more.About 30 of the remaining 149 survivors of the attack on the U.S.S. Oklahoma have come to Oklahoma City for their annual reunion. On Thursday morning some of those veterans came to the State Capitol to be honored by lawmakers. Later, at a press conference, they shared their frustrations in trying to secure a permanent memorial for the U.S.S. Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor.
Senator Jim Reynolds has been working with the group for two years on the project. He said it is high time for the U.S.S. Oklahoma to have the kind of memorial the ship and crew deserved.
read more.
