A measure to allow check-off donations from individual and corporate tax refunds to support the Oklahoma National Guard Relief Program received Senate approval today, announced author of the legislation, Senator Mary Easley. House Bill 1780 will create the National Guard Relief Program that will further aid Oklahoma’s men and women serving to protect our nation and our state. Representative Wade Rousselot, D-Wagoner, is the House author of HB 1780.

A bill that will allow local education foundations to better serve the needs of public schools in Oklahoma is on its way to Governor Henry for his signature. Senate Bill 326, authored by two freshman legislators, Senator Susan Paddack and State Representative Wes Hilliard, received final approval in the House today.

“This bill allows local foundations to compete for grants that will enhance the curriculum in our public schools,” said Paddack, who served as a statewide leader for local education foundations before her service in the Senate.

A block of senators opposed Gov. Brad Henry’s nomination of Dr. Virginia Ann Dell of Oklahoma City to the state Textbook Committee when her nomination was considered by the Senate Wednesday.

The Senate narrowly voted to advise and consent to Henry’s nomination of Dell on a 25 to 22 vote.

When Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin and Senate Republicans attempted to force an up-or-down vote on a meaningful $125 million workers’ compensation reform package four weeks ago, they warned that if the issue went to a conference committee Gov. Brad Henry and Senate Democrats would attempt to water down the proposed reforms to protect workers’ comp trial lawyers.

It turns out that Fallin and the Senate GOP were right to be concerned.

Senator Mary Easley announced today that a bill to further enhance safety in the classroom received final Senate approval. Senate Bill 618 creates the “Dustin Rhodes and Lindsay Steed CPR Training Act,” which will require two employees at every Oklahoma school to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction.

The Democrat from South Tulsa authored the legislation following the tragic death of Dustin Rhodes and Lindsay Steed. The students both choked during school and while teachers and staff tried to help, they were unsuccessful.

“We’re very pleased that Speaker Hiett has agreed to this additional investment in healthcare in Oklahoma. It’s proof that democracy works, that the deliberative process has succeeded. We have been advoacting for weeks, along with members of the healthcare community, that Oklahoma needs to leverage additional federal dollars to fund indigent healthcare. We have been encouraging the Speaker to join us in this fight and this afternoon he has done that.”

Statement from Senator Tom Adelson
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A measure to make the Employer Quality Jobs Act more sensitive to 21st century jobs, like the ones being created in the biotech industry, has received unanimous approval from the Senate.

Principal author of Senate Bill 407, Sen. Mike Mazzei said the measure will help draw new companies and businesses with high paying jobs to Oklahoma by offering special incentives.

"This legislation is very important for companies," said Mazzei, R-Tulsa. "It lets them know that Oklahoma is a hotbed for research and new technology start-ups."
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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.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan declared Thursday that Senate Democrats are unwilling to deny injured workers the right to choose their own physician.

Morgan said he is still hopeful that Republicans will agree to the latest Democratic proposal that protects physician choice and would save Oklahoma businesses $100 million.

A bill to enable consumers to get defects with their newly built home repaired at a swift rate did not make it over its final legislative hurdle and was vetoed by Governor Brad Henry this week. Senator Todd Lamb stated that Senate Bill 431, also known as the Homeowner Construction Defect Protection Act, would have provided those who hire a builder to construct their new home with a peace of mind so if problems did arise, they would be remedied quicker and less costly than current law allows.