Sen. Jeff Rabon on Thursday applauded Gov. Brad Henry’s call for President Bush to make available funding for federal livestock assistance programs to aid Oklahoma farmers and ranchers facing financial hardships as a result of drought conditions.

Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan
“I am pleased at the Supreme Court’s decision today. TABOR was a disaster in Colorado – one that Oklahoma doesn’t need to repeat. I also think this decision sends a clear signal that Oklahoma will not allow out-of-state interests to manipulate public policy in our state. The initiative petition is an important tool granted to the citizens of Oklahoma in their Constitution. The Supreme Court said today that abuse of the initiative process by special interest groups from beyond our borders will not be tolerated.”

(Oklahoma City) – Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Johnnie Crutchfield said Friday that the first priority for 51st Oklahoma Legislature next year should be to provide a supplemental appropriation to help public schools cover the cost of social security taxes and benefits associated with the $3,000 pay raise given to state teachers.

State Sen. Cal Hobson recommended today that the Oklahoma Legislature convene in special session in late July or early August to complete its work on two critical funding areas.

Hobson, D-Lexington, suggested that $21.7 million be allocated to Oklahoma public schools for the 2006 – 2007 school year. This amount will guarantee for educators, schools, and students 100 percent state funding of the recently mandated $3,000 teacher pay increase.

State Sen. Cal Hobson has sent letters to all members of the Oklahoma Legislature asking for their support for a special session to address unfunded costs of the recently approved $3,000 pay raise as well as funding to shore up the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System (OTRS). Hobson said he decided to approach members of the House and Senate after Gov. Brad Henry said the issues could wait until the regular session.

(Oklahoma City) A top transportation official said Friday that funding for repair and maintenance of Oklahoma’s crumbling roads and bridges has turned the corner thanks to Legislation authored by Senator Frank Shurden, D-Henryetta.

House Bill 1176, authored by Shurden and Representative Mark Liotta, will more than double the annual funding for road maintenance in the next five years.

Sen. Daisy Lawler has been chosen to chair a task force examining the issue of illegal immigration in Oklahoma. Lawler, D-Comanche, was author of a resolution calling for the creation of the task force during the 2006 session.

Two years after Oklahoma voters approved a state question allowing Oklahoma horse racing tracks to operate video gaming machines, Oklahoma’s horse industry is experiencing a major resurgence, Sen. Cal Hobson said on Tuesday.
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(Oklahoma City) Issues ranging from the cost of telephone contracts with Oklahoma prisons to strengthening the actuarial soundness of the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System and improving boating safety will be among those studied by members of the Oklahoma State Senate in the coming months.

A total of 10 Senate interim study requests have been approved by President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan.

State Sen. Cal Hobson said the legislation ceremoniously signed by the Governor Monday providing funding for the creation of a world-class diabetes center will pay dividends for Oklahoma for years to come in terms of improved health and economic development. Hobson was principal author of the legislation creating the facility and was on hand for Monday’s ceremony.
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