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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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.