State Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, called on Giovanni Perry, an appointee of Gov. Brad Henry, to resign from her advisory post for comparing supporters of immigration reform to Nazis. Perry, a Norman immigration lawyer, is a member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Latin American and Hispanic Affairs.

“It is outrageous for an advisor to the Governor of Oklahoma to compare honorable citizens of this great state who oppose illegal immigration to Nazis,” Brogdon stated. “Gov. Henry should immediately call for her resignation from his advisory panel.”

Senator Tom Adelson announced Thursday that he will author legislation this coming session to ensure that Oklahoma is better prepared to deal with an influenza pandemic in coming years.

Adelson said his legislation will call on the Oklahoma Department of Health to assume greater responsibility for adequately stockpiling antiviral drugs and not rely on the federal government as its sole provider.

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.

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.

“We believe government should be accountable for the safety of its citizens – those people who work hard and play by the rules and ask only that they be allowed the chance to raise their children in a secure community,” Morgan said. “Our agenda will do that by making sure our prisons are adequately staffed and that our state law enforcement agencies and our rural fire departments have the resources they need.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"Senator Bob Kerr was probably one of the most courageous men I've ever served with in the Oklahoma Legislature. If there was ever a person who came to the State Senate to do the right thing and was there for the right reasons it was Bob Kerr. He stood up for southwest Oklahoma. He wanted so much for that part of the state to grow and for its people to have opportunities and for Oklahoma overall to have a brighter future. The legacy he leaves behind for every lawmaker that follows - it'll be very tough to meet. He's certainly a role model for us all.