The 80th anniversary of the distinctively designed Oklahoma flag is April 2, 2005, and Ponca City will be honoring the flag's designer, Louise Funk Fluke, in an all-day celebration.

"I'm very excited about this event. We have one of the most magnificent state flags and I think it is only fitting to honor the woman who gave us that beauty," said Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City. "Mrs. Fluke lived in Ponca City for many years after her flag was adopted in 1924, so we consider her one of Ponca City's daughters."
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State Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson said her bill to give assistance to victims of uninsured motorists has made it through a major hurdle in the legislative process. Senate Bill 613 won approval from the full Senate on Tuesday.

Sen. Wilcoxson said her bill is not a new concept. The Oklahoma City Republican said it is modeled after the state’s Victim’s Compensation Fund.
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State Senators approved the creation of new retirement system for public safety employees Tuesday.
Senate Bill 711 offers public safety employees who are now members of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System a retirement plan more in line with the plan to which most police officers and firefighters belong, said State Senator Kenneth Corn, author of the measure.
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The State Senate has approved a bill to ensure victims of sexual assault or domestic violence will have some economic protection. The legislation, Senate Bill 935, is called the “Victims Economic Security and Safety Act.”
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Workers compensation reforms proposed by Governor Brad Henry passed through the Oklahoma State Senate Wednesday afternoon on a straight party-line vote.

With Democrats backing the Governor’s proposal and Republicans voting in opposition, Senate Bill 846 was approved on a 25-21 vote.

“This legislation will save money for Oklahoma businesses, protect the rights of injured workers and provide a boost to Oklahoma’s economy,” said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charlie Laster, author of the measure
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Henry’s Plan Protects Attorneys from Real Reform at Expense of Doctors, Injured Workers

Senate Republicans unanimously voted against Gov. Brad Henry’s watered down workers’ compensation plan – Senate Bill 846 – in the Oklahoma State Senate Wednesday, charging that the bill penalizes physicians and injured workers in an effort to protect attorneys from meaningful reforms.

A measure to ensure that Oklahoma homeowners do not receive a cancellation notice of their insurance after filing a claim cleared yet another legislative hurdle today. Senator Mary Easley, author of Senate Bill 402, stated that the intent of the bill is to guarantee that Oklahoma’s homeowners do not receive a lapse in their insurance coverage.
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A bill to enable consumers to get defects with their newly built home repaired at a swift rate passed the Senate today, clearing another legislative hurdle. Senator Todd Lamb noted that Senate Bill 431, also known as the Homeowner Construction Defect Protection Act, would provide those who hire a builder to construct their new home with a peace of mind that if problems do arise, they will be remedied on a faster basis than current law provides.
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State Senators Wednesday approved a $3.798 billion general appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2006. Combined with the Common Education appropriation passed earlier in the week, Senate Bill 213 establishes a $5.95 billion framework for the FY 2006 state budget
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Senator Jeff Rabon announced today that Senate Bill 702, which is also known as the Truth in Campaigning measure cleared another legislative approval with passage on the Senate floor. The legislation, which received bi-partisan support, will make it a misdemeanor for a candidate or individual to knowingly release untruthful information about an opponent during an election cycle.
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