Oklahoma City – Republican leaders in the state Senate and House of Representatives today announced the details of their Texas-style lawsuit reform package.

Lawsuit reform legislation is being introduced in the Senate by Senate Republican Leader James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa, and in the House by Rep. Jim Newport, R-Ponca City.

“We’ve just received the report and haven’t yet had a chance to digest it in its entirety. I am encouraged by the emphasis the EDGE report places on improving the health of Oklahomans and its support of an increase in the tax on tobacco products.

Members of the public could soon have the opportunity to fly into space and back from the Oklahoma Spaceport in Burns Flat. Rocketplane Limited Inc. will soon begin work on development and operation of a reusable launch vehicle, Senate Aerospace and Technology Committee Chairman Gilmer Capps and company officials announced at the Oklahoma State Capitol Friday.

In an effort to restore public confidence, State Senator Kenneth Corn (D-Poteau) announced today he will file legislation to bring reforms to the Career Tech system that will provide accountability and responsibility to the taxpayers of Oklahoma. Pointing to problems throughout the Career Tech system in Oklahoma, Corn has taken steps to produce changes that he says are common sense solutions to prevent the problems from occurring again.

Oklahoma City – Senate and House Republican leaders and Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin held a joint news conference today at the state Capitol to announce plans to introduce lawsuit reform legislation during the legislative session which begins February 2nd. The legislation will be modeled after significant lawsuit reforms passed and signed into law in Texas in 2003. Following are quotes from participants in today’s news conference:

Consumers shouldn't be afraid to purchase Oklahoma beef despite the recent discovery of mad cow disease in the United States, according to a longtime state senator and rancher.

Sen. Frank Shurden, D-Henryetta, said mad cow disease -- which is scientifically classified as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) -- is highly unlikely to be found in Oklahoma cattle.

"Most Oklahoma cattle are raised in feedlots and are slaughtered at approximately two years of age or younger," Shurden said.

State Senator Kenneth Corn (D-Poteau) has won Senate approval for legislation to bring reforms to the Career Tech system. SB 1112 will provide greater accountability to Oklahoma taxpayers.

Pointing to concerns throughout the Career Tech system in Oklahoma, Corn worked throughout the interim to produce these proposed changes that he says are common sense solutions to prevent the problems from occurring again.

Senate Republican Leader James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa, wrote Governor Brad Henry Wednesday seeking the governor’s help to withdraw a constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage out of committee for a vote on the Senate floor.

SJR 38, authored by Williamson, would send to a vote of the people a state constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a measure to outlaw movie piracy in Oklahoma. Senator Glenn Coffee is the author of Senate Bill 1234, also known as the “Movie Piracy Act.” Senator Coffee said the bill is aimed at individuals who take hand-held video cameras into theatres and make illegal copies of films.

“It’s already a federal violation, but the problem is so pervasive there’s no way federal agents alone can stop this kind of piracy. Having a state law on the books means local law enforcement can make arrests,” explained Senator Coffee, R-OKC.

Officials from higher education, technology center schools, the private sector and the legislature unveiled a new pilot program they said would enable Oklahoma workers in technical professions to earn a bachelor’s degree.

State Senator Jim Maddox, D-Lawton, said that since 1988, career tech centers and Oklahoma colleges have had a cooperative agreement under which students could earn an Associates of Applied Science degree.