GUEST EDITORIAL - More than two-thirds of Oklahoma taxpayers approve of holding the growth of state government to a reasonable level. Unfortunately, the other one-third – those who do not embrace responsible growth – are beginning to panic because of the TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) initiative. A natural impulse in a panic situation is to huddle in a defensive posture and try to protect your own at all cost. Such is the case with many tax-receiving groups around the state. read more.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan called on Republicans in the State Senate Friday to denounce a statement by former Education Secretary William Bennett that links the crime rate and the abortion of black babies. Bennett served as Education Secretary under former Republican President Ronald Reagan and served as Drug Czar under George H. W. Bush.

Morgan demanded that Republicans in the Senate call their radical right wing allies in Washington and ask them to stop appointing such questionable leaders to positions that control the destiny of so many Americans.

State Senator Tom Adelson said Friday that the federal government’s approval of the Oklahoma Premium Assistance Plan means thousands of currently uninsured Oklahomans will soon have health insurance coverage under what he called the “most innovative public-private partnership in the history of Medicaid.”
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“After weeks of refusing to entertain the idea of a special session, I am pleased Speaker Hiett is finally warming up to the idea.

“For the Speaker to suggest that House Republicans are leading the fight to address prison funding is nothing more than a smoke-and-mirrors scheme to hide the fact that they have taken a do-nothing approach on the issue. And now that they have been taken to task for their reckless and irresponsible approach to public safety, they are running for cover.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan said Wednesday that he shares the concerns voiced to him by convenience store owners on the issue of a disparity in the tobacco tax being paid by private retailers and some tribal smoke shops.

“Allegations continue to surface that some Native American tribes may not complying with the spirit, and perhaps even the letter, of the tobacco compacts they have signed with the state,” Morgan said.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, announced today the formation of an exploratory committee to identify the resources necessary to establish an initiative petition process that will result in a reliable stream of revenue for the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation.

Senator Tom Adelson said statistics released by the Oklahoma State Department of Health Friday show that the increase in the tobacco tax is “Oklahoma’s most significant public health legislation in a generation.”

OSDH reported that tobacco sales in Oklahoma have declined by 4.4 million packs per month and that 30,000 adult Oklahomans had given up smoking since the tax increase took effect.
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Sen. Debbe Leftwich, D-OKC, and Rep. Susan Winchester, R-Chickasha, said they were both looking forward to seeing new film and music production projects in the Sooner State after taking part in a ceremonial bill signing ceremony with Gov. Brad Henry on Thursday at the State Capitol. The ceremony centered on two pieces of legislation co-authored by the two lawmakers with the aim of boosting film and music production in Oklahoma.
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Governor Brad Henry held a ceremonial bill signing today for House Bill 1653, also known as the Graduated Driver's License Act. Authors of the measure, Sen. Debbe Leftwich and Rep. Danny Morgan say the bill will allow teenagers more time to develop their driving skills, therefore lowering the risk of accidents, fatal or otherwise.
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With worsening drought conditions throughout the state raising concerns about grass and wild fires, Sen. Jeff Rabon has asked Gov. Brad Henry to expand the special session call to provide emergency funding for fire fighting for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division.

“This really is an emergency—especially in southeastern Oklahoma where the drought conditions are approaching historic levels. This is a potentially deadly situation that could result in the loss of lives and millions of dollars in damages,” said Rabon, D-Hugo.
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