Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“Under the direction of Chancellor Paul Risser, Oklahoma’s higher education system has been on the move.

“Chancellor Risser led the effort to create Governor Henry’s EDGE (Economic Development Generating Excellence) project, focusing Oklahoma’s economic development future on research and the high-tech industry.

“His vision to strengthen Oklahoma’s research capacities will make our state a key player in today’s growing global economy.

State Sen. Cal Hobson said he was pleased the Council for Bond Oversight had approved a request by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to refinance about half of its $1.2 billion debt. Hobson authored legislation during the 2006 session to authorize such a move. Hobson said the Council could not have taken that action without the passage of HB 2474.

A bill aimed at strengthening small businesses and upgrading the skills of Oklahoma’s workforce was rendered dead when Republicans in the House refused to allow an “up-or-down” vote on Senate Bill 2047. The author’s measure, Senator Debbe Leftwich, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, said the bill had the support of several pro-business establishments in the state, including the State Chamber of Commerce.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A Lawton Senator who is credited with authoring the strongest identity theft bill in the country said he is outraged the Republican Leadership in the House gutted his proposal to protect Oklahoma senior citizens from the devastation of identity theft. State Senator Randy Bass, a Democrat, said he plans to resurrect the language in Senate Bill 1748 that allows identity theft victims to freeze their credit at no cost to the victim.

Vowing to continue his effort to protect rural schools and communities, the author of a bill to permanently end forced school consolidation breathed new life into the measure last Wednesday.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, successfully amended a House joint resolution to include his proposed constitutional amendment to end forced school consolidation. The proposal would allow voters to decide the issue instead of politicians or bureaucrats.

Members of the State Legislature are warming up for the annual bedlam baseball game between the Senate and the House. The amateur athletes will be slugging it out at the Bricktown Ballpark Tuesday, May 2, after session.

“Everyone is welcome to attend—there’s no charge, but we’re asking for a suggested donation of $5 at the gate to benefit the American Cancer Society,” said Sen. David “Coach Casey” Myers of Ponca City, head coach and manager of the Senate Redhots.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan has announced that 44 of the Senate’s 47 members have been assigned to the General Conference Committee on Appropriations.
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A Senate measure to help protect nursing home residents from sexual predators is on its way to the Governor's desk. The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 1707 Tuesday to provide the Sex Offender Registry to the state Commissioner of Health. The measure is authored by Senator David Myers (R-Ponca City) and Rep. Rex Duncan (R-Sand Springs).
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A key plank of the Senate Democrats’ agenda to “Create a Safer Oklahoma” is on its way to Governor Henry for his signature after receiving final passage on the Senate floor this morning. Senate Bill 1037, known as the Caitlin Wooten Act, is authored by Democratic Senator Susan Paddack and State Rep. Wes Hilliard, also a Democrat. The bill is named after 16-year-old Caitlin Wooten.

For the third straight year, the Senate Redhots are the champions of bedlam baseball, defeating the House 8-7 in Tuesday’s after session game at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark.
Senate Coach David “Casey” Myers called the game, which benefited the American Cancer Society, “spectacular.”

“I knew stealth was going to win over youth…matter of fact, they were coming on strong in the last inning and it looked like we weren’t going to be able to hold them, but I believe one of them collapsed going around second and let us win,” said Coach Myers following the victory. read more.