With Memorial Day approaching, the State Senate honored an Oklahoma World War II veteran today at the Capitol with a resolution recognizing his years of service and sacrifice in the United State Air Force.

Senate Resolution 50, authored by Sen. Earl Garrison, was heard before the Senate this afternoon and recognized the outstanding war record and distinguished military career of Muskogee resident, Colonel Albert Eldon Hill who served his country for 41 years.

A measure to ensure the safety of Oklahoma’s children received approval from the Senate today. Senate Bill 618, authored by Mary Easley, creates the “Dustin Rhodes CPR Training Act,” which would require two employees at every school to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction each year.

The Democrat from South Tulsa authored the legislation following the tragic death of Dustin Rhodes in the school cafeteria. The boy started choking on a piece of bread, and while teachers and staff tried to help the child; they were not properly trained in CPR.

Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee reminded legislative leaders Thursday that the deadline to pass the state funding bill for public schools is next Wednesday, March 16.

“The ‘Fund Education First’ deadline is less than a week away, so it is imperative that the Senate and House work quickly to meet the deadline,” stated Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. “I have every confidence that Chairman Morgan and Chairman Benge will reach an a bipartisan agreement and that we will pass education funding by March 16.”

The State Senate has given unanimous approval to a measure banning a potentially deadly new way of downing alcohol—Senate Bill 663 would forbid anyone to sell, buy, furnish, manufacture or possess an alcohol inhalation device.

Senator Jonathan Nichols is principal author of the measure. He said the use of devices to inhale alcohol is a fad that’s been seen in bars and clubs in other parts of the nation. He worries people unfamiliar with alcohol inhalers may not realize they can be extremely dangerous.

Senate Bill 531 is on its way to the State House of Representatives. That’s after winning unanimous approval by the Senate on Tuesday. Senator Scott Pruitt, R-Broken Arrow, said the bill is designed to help school districts with cash-flow problems resulting from unforeseen expenses and fluctuating revenues.

“Our school districts do a very careful job of planning their budgets, but there are some things that can’t be completely anticipated—a big spike in fuel prices, for example, can have a serious budgetary impact,” explained Pruitt.

A bill providing Oklahoma’s disabled veterans with tax breaks passed the Senate today on a bi-partisan majority vote. Passage of Senate Bill 17, authored by Senator Kenneth Corn, (D-Poteau) completes all portions of Governor Henry’s Operation Homefront Initiative.

Corn said the measure exempts veterans who are 100 percent disabled and their spouses, from paying excise taxes on the vehicles they purchase. The measure also reduces the cost of vehicle registration for disabled veterans from $85 to a ceremonial $1.

The Oklahoma State Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 982 Tuesday, a bill that includes education reforms that are reminiscent of those proposed by former Gov. Frank Keating during his tenure in office.

Senate Bill 982, by Senate Appropriations Chairman Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, contains Governor Brad Henry’s Achieving Classroom Excellence initiative.

Two bills aimed at helping Oklahoma students become healthier and more fit have won Senate approval. The measures, authored by Senator Bernest Cain, would ensure schools offer more nutritional foods as well as physical education for students.

Legislation that will toughen the math curriculum in Oklahoma’s secondary schools and increase graduation requirements for high seniors passed out of the Oklahoma State Senate Tuesday on a unanimous 46-0 vote.

Senate Bill 982, authored by Senate Appropriations Chairman Mike Morgan, contains Governor Brad Henry’s Achieving Classroom Excellence initiative and focuses on improving math instruction at the secondary level.

A measure designed to make sure more parents buckle up their children is heading to the House of Representatives. That’s after the Senate approved the bill Monday evening. Senate Bill 799 would boost the current fine for failing to use proper child restraints from $10 and up to $15 in court costs to $50 plus court costs.

Senator Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, is principal author of the measure. He felt the current $10 fine is not enough to persuade parents that failing to buckle up their children is not in their best interests.