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Oklahoma Senate
One of Oklahoma’s strongest rural economies was chosen by Senate Democrats as the site to unveil their legislative agenda to “empower the middle class.”
Durant and Bryan County have enjoyed tremendous growth over the past seven years. Senate leaders said that growth proves that policies to lift up middle class families create opportunity for all.
The area’s own Senator Jay Paul Gumm said a key component of Senate Democrats’ middle class agenda is a “Back-to-School” sales tax holiday that would strengthen Oklahoma’s retail economy.
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The chair of the Senate Appropriations Sub-Committee on Natural Resources and Regulatory Services said Wednesday that the states Rainy Day Fund should be tapped to help cover wildfire losses and expenses to rural fire departments that federal emergency funds will not cover. Sen. Jeff Rabon, D-Hugo, said he would push for $40 million dollars to be made available from the emergency fund to assist fire departments, agencies and citizens impacted by the disaster.
read more.Senator Robert M. Kerr’s tomorrows were always more important to him than his yesterdays. After expecting the news for weeks, we learned Senator Kerr from Altus passed away in Oklahoma City early Wednesday morning. He is not the first nor will he be the last great man or woman to succumb to the cancer cell’s wrath, but his legacy won’t be just his valiant fight with cancer.
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The co-chairs of Oklahoma’s Cancer Caucus said the loss of Sen. Robert M. Kerr underscores the need to raise awareness about cancer and use every resource possible to fight the deadly disease.
The organization was formed last June making Oklahoma only the third state in the nation to have an official caucus to develop and pass legislation dealing with cancer research, prevention and treatment. Sen. Debbe Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, are co-chairs of the Caucus.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan and Senator Stratton Taylor, chairman of the Appropriations Sub-Committee on Education, today announced funding proposals for Higher Education and CareerTech completing Senate Democrats $300 million education funding plan.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan and members of the Senate Democratic Caucus today announced their “Agenda for a Safer Oklahoma” at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
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An Oklahoma state senator’s fight to enact harsher penalties for repeat child molesters came to a top-rated national cable news network Saturday evening.
Senator Jay Paul Gumm appeared on the Jan. 28 edition of “The Big Story Primetime”, broadcast nationally on the Fox News Channel. Gumm, D-Durant, was invited to appear to discuss Senate Bill 1747, a measure he wrote that would make repeat child molesters eligible for the death penalty or life without parole.
read more.State Senator Darrell Weaver is now officially on the job as State Senator for District 24. The Moore Republican was sworn in during a ceremony at the Capitol on Wednesday as friends, family and other supporters watched from inside the Senate Chamber.
“I am appreciative of the citizens of District 24 for entrusting me to be their voice in the Senate,” Weaver said. “I’m looking forward to focusing on legislation that will create more jobs, expand and diversify our economy and generate more resources for public safety, education and other essential core services.”
read more.With the holiday shopping season underway, Oklahoma State Senator Glenn Coffee and Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) president Patricia E. Vance today unveiled a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign to explain and encourage parents to use video game ratings.
read more. Over the past few years, the State Legislature has passed right to work and tort reform measures designed to make Oklahoma more attractive to business, but now the state has a law on the books that negates those efforts. That’s according to Sen. Harry Coates, Co-Chair of the Senate Business and Labor Committee and the only Republican in the Legislature to vote against HB 1804. Coates announced he would file legislation to repeal portions of the bill approved during the 2007 session aimed at illegal immigrants.
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