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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The Senate Finance Committee chair said he was pleased House Republicans appear to have “finally begun to value rural Oklahoma” and the work of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma (REI).

Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, said a proposal announced Monday by Speaker Todd Hiett to partner with REI on a rural economic initiative is in stark contrast to many policy positions historically held by House Republicans.
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Saying working families suffer most when gas prices soar, Senator Kenneth Corn called on President George W. Bush and Congress to immediately use whatever powers necessary to thwart skyrocketing gas prices.

“Many working families, especially here in southeastern Oklahoma live pay check to pay check, and cannot afford to pay $50 dollars every time they go to the pump,” Corn said.

Corn added that during the past legislative session, a resolution was authored by Democratic Senator Daisy Lawler calling on Congress and President Bush to address fuel prices.
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Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee said Tuesday that Senator Kenneth Corn has joined liberal national Democrats in an effort to politicize rising fuel prices – and said Corn tried using a make-believe Senate vote on the issue in an effort to score partisan political points.

Corn issued a partisan news release Tuesday calling on President George W. Bush and Congress to address rising fuel prices.

“After months of refusing to address the public safety crisis, I hope Speaker Hiett’s ‘major policy announcement’ tomorrow isn’t just another attempt to change the subject.

“I hope the Speaker will announce his support for a comprehensive plan announced by Senate Democrats more than a month ago that gives the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC) the tools they so desperately need to help keep our communities safe.

Senate leaders said Wednesday they are disappointed House Speaker Todd Hiett is focusing on tax cuts targeted for wealthy Oklahomans rather than addressing the safety of all of the state’s citizens.

“Our efforts should be focused on keeping Oklahomans safe,” President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan said. “The Speaker has had more than enough time to review a comprehensive plan to fund corrections put forth by Senate Democrats six weeks ago.”
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Senator Randy Bass, Chairman of the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee in the Oklahoma State Senate and member of the Oklahoma Strategic Military Planning Commission, said today’s announcement that Fort Sill will gain troops is a huge victory for Lawton/Fort Sill.

“The city of Lawton and the communities in southwest Oklahoma should be commended for their unwavering support of Fort Sill that without a doubt played an important role in bringing more troops to Fort Sill,” Bass, a Democrat from Lawton said.
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Opposition by Senate Democrats to GOP proposals to eliminate the state’s death tax proves how out of touch the Senate’s century-old majority is with the people of Oklahoma.

Coffee said Senate Republicans plan to push for the elimination of the death tax during the 2006 legislative session. House Republicans announced similar plans today.

“The Senate Democrats’ knee-jerk reaction in opposition to eliminating the death tax shows how out of touch their party is with the people of Oklahoma,” stated Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.

Republican Senator Randy Brogdon of Owasso said today that the state and Native American tribes should enter into arbitration to the fix tobacco tax problems.