(NORMAN) Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson said Thursday he is “humbled and honored” by the designation of the new Cleveland County Health Department facility as the Cal Hobson Center.

The new $4 million center, which located on 12th Avenue SE in Norman, held an open house Thursday afternoon in conjunction with ceremonies honoring the 25-year legislative veteran from nearby Lexington.

Hobson said there are many others worthy of praise – including the 87 employees of the Cleveland County Health Department.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Senate Republicans today challenged Governor Brad Henry to stand with the people of Oklahoma against recent liberal court rulings across the nation.

“We would like to know if he agrees with his fellow Democrat, Senator Bernest Cain, who said anyone who opposes the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage is a bigot. Or does the governor agree with the vast majority of Oklahomans that marriage is a sacred institution that should be protected?” said Senate Republican Leader James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa.

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson and House Speaker Larry Adair announced Tuesday that lawmakers will return after the Memorial Day holiday weekend to complete the work of the First Session of the 49th Oklahoma Legislature.

Sine die adjournment will come sometime after Tuesday, May 27.

State Senator Sam Helton has decided to withdraw Senate Bill 1130, also known as the “Dog and Cat Ownership Responsibility Act.” The Democrat from Lawton has received numerous phone calls, letters and E-mails from across the state opposing this bill.

State Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson said Thursday he hopes the second session of the 49th Oklahoma Legislature will be remembered in the future as the session when lawmakers made the health of Oklahomans their top priority.

Skyrocketing insurance industry profits are proof that limiting the legal rights of injured people is not the solution to rising premium costs, according to Sen. Frank Shurden, D-Henryetta.
"Insurance premiums and profits are what need to be capped, not payments to people who are truly injured," Shurden said.

The veteran Democratic senator said that he doesn’t accept the arguments presented by Oklahoma Republican legislative leaders who plan to introduce "Texas Republican-style" lawsuit reform legislation during the 2004 legislative session.

Tulsa / Oklahoma City – At press conferences in Tulsa and Oklahoma City today, legislative Republicans unveiled the details of legislation to reform Oklahoma’s workers compensation system, renowned as one of the most expensive in the nation.

The bill, authored by Sen. Scott Pruitt, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep. Ron Peterson, R-Broken Arrow, will result in a minimum savings of $100 million for state employers according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance. The bill does not decrease benefits to employees, but instead seeks to eliminate unnecessary litigation.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Senate Republican Floor Leader James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa, today introduced legislation, SJR 38, to send a “defense of marriage” constitutional amendment to a vote of the people.

“As President Bush noted in his State of the Union address, the sanctity of marriage is under assault from activist judges in America today,” Williamson said. “Amending our state Constitution is the best way we can ensure traditional marriage is protected here in Oklahoma.”

State Senator Kenneth Corn announced today that he is the primary author of Senate Bill 1106, which will pay 100 percent of teacher’s health insurance premiums. Currently the state pays for 75 percent of certified personnel’s health insurance premiums.

The Democrat from Poteau also applauded the recent announcements by Governor Brad Henry and House of Representatives Speaker Larry Adair to also support paying 100 percent of the teacher’s benefit allowance.

Parents, educators, administrators and other concerned citizens are invited to attend a public hearing on dyslexia at the State Capitol on Wednesday, January 21. Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson, who organized the event, said she will unveil legislation to identify and provide instructional intervention for dyslexic students.