In honor of Oklahoma's coal and railroad industry, a painting depicting the relationship between McAlester's first coal production and the KATY railroad was unveiled Wednesday in the Senate. The painting, by world-renown artist Wayne Cooper, was sponsored by the Puterbaugh Foundation and commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund.
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The Senate has given final approval to a bill increasing the punishment for reporting a false Amber Alert. Sen. Cliff Aldridge is the principal author of SB 371 which makes the crime a felony offense.

“We’ve had 13 Amber Alerts in Oklahoma since the system was created—four of those have been false Amber Alerts,” said Aldridge, R-Midwest City. “That’s almost 25 percent. Just like the boy who cried wolf, too many of these false reports could cause citizens not to take these reports seriously.”

A law to ensure child predators will spend more time behind bars is on its way to Gov. Brad Henry. The full Senate voted 45-2 in favor of House Bill 1816 on Thursday. The measure, also known as “Jessica’s Law” is named for 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford. The Florida girl was kidnapped and murdered in 2005 by a registered sex offender who lived near her family home.

Sen. Todd Lamb, Senate author of HB 1816, said the legislation targets predators who seek out children younger than 12.

Two Lawton Senators said the full Senate will soon be voting on a bipartisan compromise measure to help Oklahoma military bases meet needs for additional infrastructure. Sen. Randy Bass, D-Lawton, and Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton, are co-authors of Senate Bill 751, which creates the “Military Base Protection and Expansion Incentive Act.”
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The full State Senate gave final approval Tuesday to legislation that will provide access to quality health care for more of Oklahoma’s uninsured children. Senate Bill 424 now heads to the Oklahoma House of Representatives where passage will send it to Governor Brad Henry for his signature.

It is a major part of the 2007 Legislative Agendas of Senate Democrats and the governor. It passed by a wide 41-7 bipartisan margin Tuesday.
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The Senate General Conference Committee on Appropriations has given its approval to a bipartisan plan to help expanding military bases in Oklahoma. Senate Bill 751 creates the “Military Base Protection and Expansion Incentive Act.” Sen. Randy Bass, D-Lawton, is principal author of the measure, and Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton, is co-author.

“This brings us one step closer to getting this bill through the legislative process and to the governor’s desk,” Barrington said. “This is critical for our military bases and for our state.”
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Legislative leaders in the Oklahoma Senate and House of Representatives have submitted a compromise lawsuit reform proposal to Gov. Brad Henry in an effort to reach an agreement before the Legislature adjourns for the year.

The full Senate has given final approval to a measure to help Oklahoma military bases slated for expansion. Sen. Randy Bass, D-Lawton, is principal author and Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton is co-author of Senate Bill 751, which was approved on Wednesday.
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The “Letha Kay Louise Slate Act” is now one step closer to becoming law. The measure, authored by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, closes a loophole in current Oklahoma law impacting child neglect cases. The measure, part of Senate Bill 790, won final passage in the Senate on Thursday. Leftwich said the legislation is named for a Stephen’s County baby who drowned in a bathtub while her mother took a nap.
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Legislation requiring financial literacy instruction for all Oklahoma secondary school students to help them avoid money problems in their adult years has been given final approval by the state Legislature and will now be considered by the Governor.
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