The State Senate on Monday honored the exceptional service of Colonel Gary D. Adams, a 38-year veteran of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, approving a resolution in his honor wishing him well upon his retirement. Senate Resolution 88, authored by Senator Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman, commends a lifetime of uncompromising dedication to public safety.
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As Andy and Joann Hood, the grandparents of 16-year-old Caitlin Wooten, sat in the House Committee on Corrections and Criminal Justice today, they saw Senate Bill 1037 win unanimous approval and come one step closer to becoming law. Caitlin’s Law, authored by Senator Susan Paddack and State Rep. Wes Hilliard, now awaits action by the full House of Representatives.

“It takes courage to turn tragedy into triumph and this family has shown great courage throughout this process,’ said Hilliard, a Democrat from Sulphur.

State Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan announced today that the Senate will consider a $976.4 million appropriation for Higher Education on Wednesday. The measure includes $87 million in new funding for Oklahoma’s colleges and universities.

“We have the opportunity this year to make a significant investment in Higher Education,” Morgan said. “By increasing funding for our colleges and universities we can keep increased tuition costs to a minimum while continuing to provide a world class education for the next generation of Oklahomans.”

Legislation designed to curb underage drinking took another important step Tuesday, passing the Senate by a vote of 45-1. House Bill 3056 by Sen. Jeff Rabon, D-Hugo, and Rep. Thad Balkman, R-Norman, creates the Prevention of Youth to Access to Alcohol (3.2 beer) Act.

With a legislative career spanning four decades, Sen. Cal Hobson is completing his final term in the Oklahoma Legislature this year due to term limits. His colleagues on both sides of the aisle honored him on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday. Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan praised Hobson for his superior intellect, an unmatched work ethic and purity of purpose.
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Measure Includes Additional $87 Million Investment in Colleges

(Oklahoma City) State Senators Wednesday approved a $976.4 million appropriation measure for Higher Education on Wednesday. The measure includes $87 million in new funding for Oklahoma’s colleges and universities.

State Sen. Debbe Leftwich and Rep. Rebecca Hamilton are continuing their push to get a hearing for a bill to help victims of rape and domestic violence, but said with each passing day the measure comes closer to dying in the House of Representatives.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure by Senator Jay Paul Gumm that will allow law enforcement to track money used to finance criminal activity won the approval of the Oklahoma Senate Tuesday.

Gumm, a Democrat from Durant, said House Bill 2483, also known as the “Oklahoma Financial Transaction Reporting Act.” The bill is part of Gov. Brad Henry’s “Mission MethNet” and would cut off drug dealers’ cash pipeline used to smuggle “Mexican Ice” into the state.

The State Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation to protect the images of service members of the United States Armed Forces from being used for purposes of advertising or solicitation without the consent of those individuals or their families.

House Bill 2643, by Senator Jim Wilson and Representative Mike Brown, would make the unauthorized use of an armed service member’s name, portrait or picture a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison or a fine of up to $1,000.
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Senate leaders warned Wednesday that Republicans are setting Oklahoma up for a fiscal crisis with a recent rash of irresponsible tax cut bills, geared heavily toward rich Oklahomans and giant corporations that, if enacted, will cripple the state’s ability to provide critical state services upon which all Oklahomans depend, including education, healthcare and rural fire protection.