The Oklahoma State Senate unanimously approved a resolution today honoring the life of Pope John Paul II and mourning his death. State Sen. Mike Mazzei was principal author of the measure, with all members signing on as co-authors.

“Although I am not Roman Catholic, I felt it was very appropriate for our chamber to pay tribute to Pope John Paul II—undeniably one of the greatest individuals of our time. His spirituality transcended denominational divisions,” said Mazzei, R-Tulsa.

Senator Daisy Lawler said today she is pleased pro-life legislation cleared the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Lawler said House Bill 1686 passed the panel with bi-partisan support. Lawler, one of the co-founders of Democrats for Life, is particularly pleased that women who are facing the decision to end their pregnancy will now be armed with information that will hopefully help them choose life.

Following the 80th anniversary of Oklahoma's unique flag design on April 2, the family of the banner's designer, Louise Funk Fluke, donated the original flag to the state today at the Capitol.

Senator Daisy Lawler said today she is pleased a bill aimed at strengthening families in Oklahoma cleared another legislative hurdle as it passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee with bi-partisan support. She said however, she is puzzled that four Republican members of the Senate, who so often talk about the importance of ‘family values’, voted against a bill aimed at protecting those family values in Oklahoma through character education curriculum for Oklahoma school children.

An attack news release from Republican members of the Senate is little more than a smoke screen to hide a “shameful tax policy,” according to the chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, made the statement in response to one of a flurry of politically charged attack news releases issued by Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives.

“The Senate 2020 plan is the only plan that provides new money for bridge and road maintenance in Fiscal Year 2006. Under our plan, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation will be able to both make increased payments on its debt service obligations and invest $52.1 million in bridge and road repairs in FY 2006.

“With our proposal Oklahomans will see results before the end of 2005. It will take three years before the House plan provides enough new money to ODOT to allow for increased bridge and road maintenance.

Committee Hearings Not Scheduled for Laci and Conner’s Bill, Covenant Marriage, Informed Consent, Marriage Penalty

Oklahoma families are getting the short end of the stick in the Oklahoma State Senate this year. Several pro-family bills will die this week in the Senate for lack of a committee hearing.

Among the bills not scheduled for a hearing in Thursday’s meeting of the Senate’s Health and Human Resources Committee is House Bill 1257, the “Laci and Conner Peterson” law.

A bill to help bring computer child pornographers to justice is now part of Oklahoma law. Sen. Cliff Branan, R-OKC, is principal author of SB 513, which was signed by Gov. Brad Henry yesterday. The House author of the measure is Rep. Ken Miller, R-Edmond.

“I believe this is an important step in helping stop the sexual exploitation of children through the Internet. These shocking images are evidence of a terrible crime. This bill gives law enforcement an important tool in their efforts to go after these criminals,” Branan said.

House Republicans, who talk about “family values,” have put at risk a major tax cut that truly values working families, according to the chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, said the Senate Democrats’ HOPE Plan – a permanent $402 million tax cut targeted to working families – could already have been on the governor’s desk if House Republicans had simply approved the measure as is. HOPE stands for “Helping Oklahomans Prosper Economically” and senators passed the bill on March 2.

The third time won’t be a charm for lawsuit reform if Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Laster and Senate Democrat leaders get their way.

After two straight years of having real lawsuit reform blocked by Gov. Brad Henry and legislative Democrats in favor of watered-down tort bills, proponents of reform were hoping to finally get meaningful lawsuit reform passed in 2005.