State Senator Kenneth Corn announced today that he is the primary author of Senate Bill 1106, which will pay 100 percent of teacher’s health insurance premiums. Currently the state pays for 75 percent of certified personnel’s health insurance premiums.

The Democrat from Poteau also applauded the recent announcements by Governor Brad Henry and House of Representatives Speaker Larry Adair to also support paying 100 percent of the teacher’s benefit allowance.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Senate Republican Floor Leader James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa, today introduced legislation, SJR 38, to send a “defense of marriage” constitutional amendment to a vote of the people.

“As President Bush noted in his State of the Union address, the sanctity of marriage is under assault from activist judges in America today,” Williamson said. “Amending our state Constitution is the best way we can ensure traditional marriage is protected here in Oklahoma.”

Tulsa / Oklahoma City – At press conferences in Tulsa and Oklahoma City today, legislative Republicans unveiled the details of legislation to reform Oklahoma’s workers compensation system, renowned as one of the most expensive in the nation.

The bill, authored by Sen. Scott Pruitt, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep. Ron Peterson, R-Broken Arrow, will result in a minimum savings of $100 million for state employers according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance. The bill does not decrease benefits to employees, but instead seeks to eliminate unnecessary litigation.

Skyrocketing insurance industry profits are proof that limiting the legal rights of injured people is not the solution to rising premium costs, according to Sen. Frank Shurden, D-Henryetta.
"Insurance premiums and profits are what need to be capped, not payments to people who are truly injured," Shurden said.

The veteran Democratic senator said that he doesn’t accept the arguments presented by Oklahoma Republican legislative leaders who plan to introduce "Texas Republican-style" lawsuit reform legislation during the 2004 legislative session.

State Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson said Thursday he hopes the second session of the 49th Oklahoma Legislature will be remembered in the future as the session when lawmakers made the health of Oklahomans their top priority.

State Senator Sam Helton has decided to withdraw Senate Bill 1130, also known as the “Dog and Cat Ownership Responsibility Act.” The Democrat from Lawton has received numerous phone calls, letters and E-mails from across the state opposing this bill.

A mother and legislator, Senator Debbe Leftwich authored and gained passage of Senate Resolution 25, declaring Thursday April 28th “Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day” in Oklahoma.
The resolution was unanimously adopted by the full Senate on Monday.

Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson

“I’m encouraged by what I have seen of Governor Henry’s plan so far and I remain convinced we will be able to reach a workable solution in the coming weeks.
“I continue to believe that to reduce workers’ compensation rates we have to focus on the big ticket item of healthcare, which accounts for more than half of the overall cost of the system.
“Further, we must encourage increased workplace safety and do all we can to root out and punish fraud by employers as well as employees.

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson announced Monday that passage of the Higher Education Bond Issue legislation will be his first priority when the First Session of the Oklahoma Legislature convenes Monday.

Hobson said he has asked Majority Floor Leader Ted Fisher to assign the bill to the Senate Appropriations Committee and has asked Appropriations Chairman Mike Morgan and Education Sub-Committee Chairman Johnnie Crutchfield to hear the bill as soon as possible.

“It’s my goal to have the full Senate consider the bill in February,” Hobson said.

State Senator Debbe Leftwich, D-OKC, and House Speaker Pro Tempore Susan Winchester, R-Chickasha, have announced plans to form a caucus for women serving in the Oklahoma Senate and House of Representatives.

Sen. Leftwich, a former chair of the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women, said she was excited about having a legislative coalition for women to focus on issues important to Oklahoma families.