Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“Chancellor Brisch was always an enthusiastic supporter not only of higher education but of Oklahoma. He provided forward thinking leadership for our colleges and universities during a difficult period and he will be remembered as a true giant of higher education in our state. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today.”

SB 2047 Will Allow Small Businesses in Rural Oklahoma to Upgrade Employee Skills

- House-passed pro-life legislation also faces tough road in Democrat-controlled Senate

The State Senate’s Democrat majority renewed its annual tradition and once again killed a number of Republican-authored pro-life measures this week by refusing to give the bills a committee hearing before this week’s committee deadline.

And a member of the Senate’s Republican leadership team predicted that Senate Democrats will also kill the pro-life bills passed this week by the House of Representatives.

“Senate Republicans are so focused on the next election that they have completely forgotten about the most significant pro-life legislation that was written and passed by Senate Democrats under the direction of the Democratic Leadership in the State Senate and signed into law by Democratic Governor Brad Henry last legislative session. read more.

Hundreds of international high school and college students are expected to descend on the State Capitol March 28 for International Student Awareness Day.

State Senator Bernest Cain (D-Oklahoma City), who serves as the co-chair of the Special Joint Committee on International Development, said the event has been occurring for over a decade. He said in 2004 over 500 international high school and college students attended the event.
read more.

A measure by Senator Jay Paul Gumm aimed at protecting rural Oklahoma from forced consolidation of public schools received a “do pass” recommendation from the Senate Education Committee.

Senate Joint Resolution 35 contains an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution that would end forever the concept of forced school consolidation. If approved by the Legislature and voters, the amendment would prevent the consolidation of rural school districts unless the proposal is approved by voters in the affected school districts.

A measure that would let Oklahoma voters decide if they want to increase the state’s minimum wage was approved by the Senate Business and Labor Committee today.

“This measure will help those working Oklahomans across the state who struggle to provide for their families instead of relying on government services,” said Sen. Debbe Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City, who chairs the committee. “I believe the people of Oklahoma would overwhelmingly vote to support this common-sense measure to reduce poverty and provide Oklahomans with fair pay for a fair days work.”
read more.

The Oklahoma State Senate voted Monday to appropriate $125 million to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to fund the repair and replacement of the worst bridges on state highways and county roads.
Senate Bill 1288, authored by Senate Appropriations Chairman Johnnie Crutchfield, dedicates $100 million for state bridges and sets aside an additional $25 million for county bridges.
read more.

State Senator James A. Williamson said his bill to protect Oklahomans from uninsured motorists is dead for the session after it failed to get a committee hearing this session. Williamson, R-Tulsa called it a blow to law-abiding citizens.

“Over a quarter of all drivers on the road are uninsured,” said Williamson, R-Tulsa. “Far too often, those drivers are only discovered once they’ve already caused damage and injury. My bill could have helped catch them before they victimized anyone,” Williamson said.
read more.

The Oklahoma State Senate honored two special Oklahomans today in the Senate Chamber. The Senate presented resolutions recognizing the accomplishments and talents of Jenks High School graduate Jennifer Berry, Miss America 2006 and Edmond resident Jennifer Warren, Miss Oklahoma 2005 read more.