Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee said Wednesday he was glad two of his veteran members would be continuing their service in the State Senate. Sen. James A. Williamson of Tulsa had sought to become the Republican nominee for Governor while Sen. Nancy Riley, also of Tulsa, had thrown her hat into the Lt. Governor's race. Since each is midway in their current four-year terms, they will return to serve the remaining two years of their terms in the Senate.
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Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“The decision by Judge Owens to dismiss the OEA lawsuit is great news for educators, school children and communities all across this state. The dismissal proves that it is the exclusive prerogative of the Legislature to set school funding policies for Oklahoma.

“Senate Democrats have proven time and time again that we are more than willing to do our part to fund education at the level deserving of the future of our great state.

Sen. Clark Jolley said Friday the decision by Oklahoma County District Judge Daniel Owens to dismiss the Oklahoma Education Associations (OEA) lawsuit against the State Legislature was good news for the entire state. Jolley said he was glad that the judge saw through the OEAs attempts to appropriate monies through the wrong channel.

The OEAs attempts were the wrong course of action and sent the wrong signal to the legislature and Oklahoma citizens, said Jolley, R-Edmond. This part in the national movement has met a dead end in Oklahoma.
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Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“It is the responsibility of Governor Henry to set the agenda for special session, not the Legislature.

“The Governor made it very clear when he issued the call for special session that he wants the Legislature to focus our efforts on writing a state budget.

Governor Brad Henry on Wednesday signed a measure modifying requirements for applicants to the Small Employer Quality Jobs Act, including a provision that would require applicants in low-income areas to pay employees 100 percent of the average county wage.

Rep. R.C. Pruett, House author of House Bill 2628, said the wage requirement depends upon unemployment and income statistics.
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Statement by Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan

“Throughout the regular session and especially in the last two weeks I have tried very hard to be respectful of this process. It’s seldom productive to attempt to negotiate a budget in the media.
“My counterpart in the House has repeatedly breached good faith in an attempt to gain favor with the voters. He remains, as he has been all session, focused entirely on the next election.
“My focus remains on the next generation but I want today to explain to you exactly where we are. read more.

Senate Democrats’ obstruction of tax cuts, budget continues

(State Capitol, Oklahoma City) – With Senate Democrat leaders continuing their obstruction of tax cuts and the state budget, a Republican leader in the Oklahoma State Senate said the Legislature should pass a stand-still budget as insurance against a government shutdown.

Statement by Senate Appropriations Chairman Johnnie Crutchfield

“It is irresponsible of our friends in the minority to stoop to fear tactics when discussing budget negotiations. Because they have never had to write a budget and don’t have a clear grasp on governing I am not surprised at all by their behavior. Sadly their irresponsible grandstanding does nothing to help the people of Oklahoma. read more.

A Democratic senator's session-long battle to ensure that repeat child molesters face the death penalty ended in victory today as Gov. Brad Henry signed Senate Bill 1800 into law.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm originally introduced a bill to impose the death

penalty on those predators who have proven they will continue to prey on Oklahoma's children.

"This bill will stop them, and send a powerful message that in Oklahoma, we will protect our children with the most severe punishment we have."

Governor Brad Henry this week signed a measure to strengthen Oklahoma’s teacher and public employee retirement systems.

Sen. Mike Mazzei, author of Senate Bill 1894, said the reforms contained in the measure would not only strengthen public retirement systems, but eventually save the state millions of dollars and improve Oklahoma’s bond rating, allowing for better financing of capital improvement projects.