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.

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.”

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.

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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Senator Jay Paul Gumm has filed legislation allowing Oklahomans to purchase license tags for their vehicles displaying the national motto of “In God We Trust.”

The legislation is modeled after a law passed in Indiana in 2006. During the first four months of availability, more than a half-million of “In God We Trust” license plates were sold to Hoosiers who wanted to display the nation’s motto.
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Sen. Harry Coates on Thursday addressed his decision to file legislation that would repeal portions of House Bill 1804, citing both economic and moral concerns with the sweeping immigration reform bill approved earlier this year by the Legislature.

Coates said the legislation is already having a negative impact on the Oklahoma economy, as employers in the agricultural and construction industries are beginning to see the first effects of a potential labor shortage. Coates filed Senate Bill 1143 on Wednesday which would repeal parts of the immigration bill.
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