Two bills aimed at giving tax relief to Oklahomans serving on active duty and a survivor’s benefit to military families who’ve lost a loved one are among the measures filed for the 2005 legislative session.

Republican Leader Glenn Coffee of Oklahoma City is author of Senate Bill 836 which would create the read more.

Senator Glenn Coffee of Oklahoma City has introduced legislation to help ensure that overseas absentee ballots from members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families are counted in Oklahoma elections.

“The least we can do for our fighting men and women, who are risking their lives for our freedom, is to ensure that their votes are counted,” stated Coffee, who serves as the Senate Republican Floor Leader.

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson and Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee Chairman Randy Bass said Monday that they would work to push Governor Henry’s benefits plan for active duty members of the Oklahoma National Guard and Air National Guard through the Legislature this year.

Seeking to stem the tide of lost jobs and lost hope in Oklahoma, Republican leaders unveiled details of a landmark workers’ compensation reform plan at the State Capitol on Tuesday, January 25.

“I have watched many Oklahomans lose hope in recent years, as job opportunities move to other states,” says Speaker of the House Todd Hiett, R-Kellyville. “We must make significant strides this year. This is a broken system, and it must be fixed.”

Senator Kenneth Corn (D-Poteau) has filed legislation that will limit the use of an automatic dial announcing device, such as those used during the 2004 campaigns.
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State Senator Clark Jolley has authored a measure which encourages more drivers to ensure young children are properly secured in child safety seats. Senate Bill 799 would boost the current fine from ten dollars to one hundred dollars.
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As part of a comprehensive plan to assist working families, Senator Tom Adelson has filed legislation that would impose state penalties against employers who hire illegal aliens.

Senate Bill 510 would also allow citizens and legal U.S. residents to take action against such employers.

"This is a first of its kind attempt at the state level to deal with disruptions in the labor market" said Adelson, D-Tulsa.
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Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, made the following statement about Gov. Brad Henry’s prescription drug proposal.

Senate GOP Leader Highlights Lawsuit Reform Proposal

Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin and Senate Republican leaders, joined by several Oklahoma doctors and business leaders, called for meaningful lawsuit reform during the 2005 legislative session.

Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, also provided highlights of major components that GOP leaders expect to include in their comprehensive lawsuit reform proposal.

Oklahoma Senate Democratic leaders unveiled a proposal to lower taxes on working families, attract new jobs to the state, and protect Oklahomans’ investment in public schools and health care.

The Democratic program, called “Helping Oklahomans Prosper Economically” or HOPE, combines income and sales tax breaks for individuals and businesses with an expanded incentive plan for new state industries purchasing supplies from Oklahoma companies.
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