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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Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, made the following statement after Senate Democrats unveiled their “HOPE” plan for modest, targeted tax cuts.

“Senate Republicans are pleased that Senate Democrats have acknowledged that tax relief is needed in Oklahoma. However, we believe it is better to enact job-creating, long-term tax reforms such as broad-based reductions in the income tax, reducing the estate tax to that of surrounding states, and fully eliminating the state capital gains tax.”

State Senator Mike Mazzei is honoring a promise he made last fall—if elected, he would contribute 20 percent of his first term’s salary to the schools in his district. The Tulsa Republican will make his first check presentation to the Bixby Public School Foundation later this month.
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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.
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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.
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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. read more.