The Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM) and the Tulsa Regional Medical Center (TRMC) have signed off on an agreement to ensure the future of the teaching hospital. Sen. Mike Mazzei announced the agreement mirrors the recommendations made in a recently released report by Merrill Lynch. The report was requested by a legislative task force co-chaired by Sen. Tom Adelson and Rep. Chris Benge. Mazzei has served as lead negotiator for the panel.
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Having played an integral part in facilitating communication and cooperation between Oklahoma’s Court Appointed Special Advocates and the state legislature, Senator Kenneth Corn was recently named 2006 Legislator of the Year by CASA at the group’s annual Awards of Excellence Banquet.

Oklahoma CASA Executive Director Anna Naukam praised Corn for his efforts to make a significant contribution to the lives of children.

State Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson, R-Oklahoma City, has won final Senate approval for legislation banning the sale of lottery tickets at pawn shops, payday lenders and check-cashing businesses.
Wilcoxson was principal author of SB 1089, which was coauthored by Rep. Sally Kerns, R-Oklahoma City. The Senator said the strong bipartisan support for the measure was evidence that even those legislators who supported the lottery felt this was an important statement.
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SB 1037 is Key Plank of Senate Democrats’
Agenda to ‘Create a Safer Oklahoma’

A key plank of the Senate Democrats’ agenda to “Create a Safer Oklahoma” was signed into law today by Governor Brad Henry. Senate Bill 1037, known as the Caitlin Wooten Act, is authored by Democrat Senator Susan Paddack and State Rep. Wes Hilliard, also a Democrat. The bill is named after 16-year-old Caitlin Wooten.

State Senate Democrats said “no” today to sending meaningful lawsuit reform, a record income tax cut, and a bill eliminating the state’s death tax to Gov. Brad Henry’s desk for his signature.

“Democrats are in the majority in the State Senate, and today Senate Democrats got their way by effectively killing lawsuit reform, income tax cuts, and the elimination of the death tax,” said Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. “The priorities of the Senate won’t change until the leadership of the Senate changes.”

"Fiscal conservatives, Democrats and Republicans alike, need to stand up and hold the line on cutting our income tax to 4.9 percent.

I can tell you this. The people of Oklahoma do not want another $45 dollar rebate check. They deserve better than that, and the Speaker of the House has publicly said he’s committed to doing a budget with a 4.9 percent cut. It is my hope he will uphold that commitment.

Lawler, Shurden say the Bill Provides Protections against Trespassing

Rural landowners won a huge victory this week with the passage of House Bill 2984, authored by Senator Frank Shurden and Representative Shane Jett. An amendment to the bill by State Senators Daisy Lawler and Frank Shurden increases the penalties for trespassing on private land.

Following is a statement from Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, about the Senate’s action today to send a pair of tax bills to a conference committee. Gumm is chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

“Tax cuts should be negotiated as part of a budget that reflects our state’s values, not used as a platform for a term-limited politician to try to get elected to another job.

The State Senate honored one of its own Tuesday. Senator Gilmer Capps was recognized by his colleagues for his 36 years of service in the distinguished body. The Snyder Democrat is leaving office this year due to term limits.
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State Senator Frank Shurden passed Senate Resolution 105 through the State Senate Wednesday urging Congress to pass H.R. 197, known as the “Military In-State Tuition Act of 2005”. The Act, authored by U.S. Rep. David Scott of Georgia, would amend title 10 of the United States Code to require every state to charge in-state tuition rates at public institutions of higher education to active-duty members of the Armed Forces and their dependents living or stationed in that state.
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