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.”

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.

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.

State Sen. Scott Pruitt’s legislation to lower the state income tax rate from 6.25 percent to 4.9 percent has cleared another major hurdle. Senate Bill 2022, containing the largest tax cut in the history of the state, has now been approved by the House of Representatives.

“This is a huge victory for Oklahoma taxpayers,” said Pruitt, R-Broken Arrow. “This is not just a token rebate—this is a tax cut that over the next few years is going to put literally thousands of dollars back in the pockets of Oklahoma families.”

Senator Tom Adelson said today that under the guise of Medicaid reform House Republicans wish to take away legal protections for one population group while requiring those protections for everyone else.

“Under state law, private insurance companies must provide coverage for preventive health care their doctors and health care providers say they need,” the Tulsa Democrat said.

For 2005 in Tulsa and Oklahoma County, Medicaid paid for:
80,000 children to receive their immunizations;
Breast cancer treatment for 41,027 women;
7,456 mammograms;

Senator Daisy Lawler’s Task Force on Illegal Immigration has announced its first meeting and added new members.

During the 2006 legislative session, Lawler authored Senate Resolution 125, requesting the creation of the panel.

Based on 2000 census figures, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimated that approximately 46,000 illegal immigrants or undocumented workers live in Oklahoma, representing a 188 percent increase from figures obtained in the 1990 census.

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.

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.

Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“Governor Henry’s signature of the budget and tax cut bills approved by the Legislature during last week’s special session is a victory for all Oklahomans.

State Senators gave final approval Friday to the largest tax cut in state history, a measure that will lower taxes for state residents by more than $600 million when fully implemented.

Over the next four years, House Bill 1172 XX will lower the top income tax rate and phase in an increase of the Oklahoma Standard Deduction to the federal level – a provision that will mean 45,000 working Oklahoma families will never again have to pay state income tax. The tax package also includes an elimination of the estate tax over the next three years.