The State Senate adopted a resolution on Wednesday honoring the public career of former State Senator Bryce Baggett, who passed away on February 15. Baggett served in the State House of Representatives from 1958 through 1964, and in the State Senate from 1964 through 1972. State Sen. Clark Jolley is principal author of the resolution. Jolley represents District 41, the same district Baggett once represented.

Gov. Brad Henry’s controversial plan to create a state-funded pre-kindergarten program for three-year-olds is dead for the next two years following a tie vote in the Oklahoma Senate Appropriations Committee.

The bill, SB 518, died on an 8 to 8 vote Wednesday. Under the Senate’s new power-sharing agreement, a bill receiving a tie vote on “final action” in a committee is dead for the next two years.

The State Senate on Wednesday paused for a moment of silence in honor of a Poteau, Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen who was killed in Afghanistan on Monday.

Sgt. Buddy Hughie, 25, was killed while attempting to deliver medical supplies to fallen soldiers. Hughie and his unit were working in a joint mission with the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division and the Afghan National Army.

Sen. Kenneth Corn of Poteau praised Hughie for his heroism and devotion to his duty.

A bill designed to address the growing incidences of copper theft in Oklahoma has cleared its first legislative hurdle. Senate Bill 472, by Senator Cliff Branan, was approved by the Senate Energy and Environment Committee on Thursday.

“This crime can actually put people’s lives at risk, especially the elderly, because it can leave them without air conditioning and power at the worst possible times—when the temperatures are in the triple digits,” Branan said.
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Two bills aimed at shoring up the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma (TRS) are now headed to the full Senate for consideration. Sen. Mike Mazzei is the author of the measures, each of which would substantially reduce the 49 percent unfunded liability rate in the system within the next two decades. Combined, the bills would accomplish that feat in about half the time.
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State Sen. Debbe Leftwich said her measure to improve access to behavioral health care in Oklahoma is dead for two years after failing to receive passage from a Senate committee on Thursday. Leftwich said Senate Bill 452 would have closed a loophole that currently prevents thousands of Oklahomans from getting the treatment they need.
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The full Senate has given approval to a measure giving Oklahomans greater protection against a new kind of fraud known as caller ID spoofing. Sen. James A. Williamson is the author of Senate Bill 712, the “Anti-Caller ID Spoofing Act.” The Tulsa Republican said criminals use this technology to trick people into giving out information that can be used for identity theft and other crimes. The measure would make ID spoofing a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
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One of Oklahoma's greatest animal nuisances may soon meet its match under a proposed bill that passed the State Senate Monday. Senator Roger Ballenger is author of Senate Bill 70 to create the Feral Swine Control Act.
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The Senate approved a measure Monday to provide further protections for the state's courthouses by allowing judges to carry firearms while on the job. Senator Brian Crain is author of Senate Bill 145, which would allow for the carrying and use of weapons in courtrooms by district, associate district and special district judges.
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The State Senate has approved a measure to better educate students about the price of freedom and the sacrifices made by the nation’s military men and women. Senate Bill 17, by Sen. Don Barrington and Rep. Ann Coody, would create “Celebrate Freedom Week,” which would take place during the week of Veteran's Day.
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