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.
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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.
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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.
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Senator Tom Adelson announced Thursday that he will author legislation this coming session to ensure that Oklahoma is better prepared to deal with an influenza pandemic in coming years.

Adelson said his legislation will call on the Oklahoma Department of Health to assume greater responsibility for adequately stockpiling antiviral drugs and not rely on the federal government as its sole provider.
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State Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, called on Giovanni Perry, an appointee of Gov. Brad Henry, to resign from her advisory post for comparing supporters of immigration reform to Nazis. Perry, a Norman immigration lawyer, is a member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Latin American and Hispanic Affairs.

“It is outrageous for an advisor to the Governor of Oklahoma to compare honorable citizens of this great state who oppose illegal immigration to Nazis,” Brogdon stated. “Gov. Henry should immediately call for her resignation from his advisory panel.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan and other Senate leaders pledged once again Friday to fully fund the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program and said the state should build on OHLAP’s success by creating other programs that put a premium on personal responsibility.
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On Saturday, September 24th, when State Senator Susan Paddack, an Ada Democrat, heard the news that the body of Caitlin Wooten had been found shot to death by Jerry Don Savage, she knew as a lawmaker she must work to change the laws to prevent another family from being ripped apart by a senseless act of violence. After speaking to Caitlin’s family about their wishes and receiving their support, she began working on legislation that would honor the memory of 16-year-old Caitlin Wooten.
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Five years ago, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Matthew S. Evans and Oklahoma City Police Officer Jeff Rominger were killed after their cars collided during a police pursuit. Today, State Senator Kenneth Corn has filed legislation to equip Oklahoma with an 800 MHZ statewide emergency communication system to prevent this type of tragedy from striking again.
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Members of the legislature, the public and medical professionals will participate in the first-ever joint meeting of the Oklahoma Women’s Legislative Caucus and the Oklahoma Cancer Caucus. State Sen. Debbe Leftwich, who serves as co-chair of each group, said the agenda for the Thursday afternoon meeting would include information on a new vaccine for cervical cancer.
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The family of Caitlin Wooten stood beside State Senator Susan Paddack at the Capitol today to show their support for Senate Bill 1037. Paddack, an Ada Democrat, said Caitlins Law, seeks to protect Oklahoma families and communities from senseless acts of violence.