State Senators overwhelmingly approved legislation Friday aimed at enticing more doctors to open medical practices in rural Oklahoma communities.

“The availability of healthcare is a very real concern in a lot of smaller communities across our state,” said Senator Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau. “The passage of Senate Bill 335 offers a true financial incentive for doctors to provide much needed medical services in places that are currently under-served.”

SB 335 is authored by Senator Gilmer Capps, D-Snyder.

"Like Governor Henry, it is my hope that Speaker Hiett will move quickly to consider the Higher Education bond plan developed by the college presidents and State Regents. Each time interest rates tick up -- even the slightest bit-- it costs us millions of dollars in additional interest on the bonds. For example, one day earlier this week, a slight increase in interest rates cost the state $10 million.

"As the House author of Senate Bill 745, Speaker Hiett can move it through the House quickly and can ensure the same kind of unanimous support it received in the Senate. read more.

State Senator Jeff Rabon defended SB 768 on Friday, saying the measure would protect Oklahoma service stations and convenience stores from massive retailers based out-of-state. He said without it, many locally- owned stations could be forced out of business, giving big retailers a virtual monopoly.
read more.

A measure passed by the State Senate will allow Oklahoma school districts to further their ability to check potential employers by providing them direct access to the state Sex Offender Registry.
read more.

A measure designed to make sure more parents buckle up their children is heading to the House of Representatives. That’s after the Senate approved the bill Monday evening. Senate Bill 799 would boost the current fine for failing to use proper child restraints from $10 and up to $15 in court costs to $50 plus court costs.

Senator Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, is principal author of the measure. He felt the current $10 fine is not enough to persuade parents that failing to buckle up their children is not in their best interests.
read more.

Legislation that will toughen the math curriculum in Oklahoma’s secondary schools and increase graduation requirements for high seniors passed out of the Oklahoma State Senate Tuesday on a unanimous 46-0 vote.

Senate Bill 982, authored by Senate Appropriations Chairman Mike Morgan, contains Governor Brad Henry’s Achieving Classroom Excellence initiative and focuses on improving math instruction at the secondary level.
read more.

Two bills aimed at helping Oklahoma students become healthier and more fit have won Senate approval. The measures, authored by Senator Bernest Cain, would ensure schools offer more nutritional foods as well as physical education for students.
read more.

The Oklahoma State Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 982 Tuesday, a bill that includes education reforms that are reminiscent of those proposed by former Gov. Frank Keating during his tenure in office.

Senate Bill 982, by Senate Appropriations Chairman Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, contains Governor Brad Henry’s Achieving Classroom Excellence initiative.

A bill providing Oklahoma’s disabled veterans with tax breaks passed the Senate today on a bi-partisan majority vote. Passage of Senate Bill 17, authored by Senator Kenneth Corn, (D-Poteau) completes all portions of Governor Henry’s Operation Homefront Initiative.

Corn said the measure exempts veterans who are 100 percent disabled and their spouses, from paying excise taxes on the vehicles they purchase. The measure also reduces the cost of vehicle registration for disabled veterans from $85 to a ceremonial $1.
read more.

Senate Bill 531 is on its way to the State House of Representatives. That’s after winning unanimous approval by the Senate on Tuesday. Senator Scott Pruitt, R-Broken Arrow, said the bill is designed to help school districts with cash-flow problems resulting from unforeseen expenses and fluctuating revenues.

“Our school districts do a very careful job of planning their budgets, but there are some things that can’t be completely anticipated—a big spike in fuel prices, for example, can have a serious budgetary impact,” explained Pruitt.
read more.