Statement By Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“I am pleased to see Governor Henry continuing his commitment to invest in Oklahoma’s future by proposing an ambitious budget for our public schools, colleges and universities and world-class career tech system.
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Republican leaders in the evenly divided State Senate said Gov. Brad Henry may need to increase taxes to pay for the new spending he is promising for the upcoming legislative session.

In December, Gov. Henry publicly cautioned state lawmakers about new spending in what could be a tight budget year. But in the past week, he has proposed about half-a-billion dollars in new spending – with even more new spending proposals likely to come in the days before the State of the State address scheduled for February 5.

Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, made the following statement regarding Gov. Brad Henry’s proposal to expand pre-K programs to include three-year-olds.

Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, made the following statement regarding Gov. Brad Henry’s proposal to create a biofuels research center in Oklahoma.

Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“The history of Oklahoma’s energy industry is filled with innovation and imagination. For nearly a century, Oklahomans have led the world in new technologies in energy exploration and production. In a changing and volatile world is important for Oklahoma to invest in the development of new forms of energy, including bio-fuels. I applaud the Governor for coming forward with a bold initiative to keep Oklahoma among the world leaders in energy.”

Democrats of the Oklahoma State Senate unveiled an aggressive 2007 legislative agenda today. Senate Democratic leaders said the “Oklahoma Rising” agenda includes opportunities for all Oklahomans.

State Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, commented on the Senate Democrats’ 2007 legislative agenda announced today.

“I am encouraged by the positive tone of the Senate Democrat leaders during today’s announcement. Senate Democrats appear ready to abandon the obstructionism we have seen from them in the past, and seem willing to work with Republicans to find common ground on issues that can move our state forward,” Coffee said.

Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, said he is concerned that Gov. Brad Henry’s so-called “Smart on Crime” proposal is backdoor effort to reinstate early release programs for offenders.

Sen. Kenneth Corn has announced plans to file legislation that would prohibit students under the age of 18 from dropping out of school. The measure would also implement a Statewide Truancy Court Program, providing every District Attorney in the state with a truancy officer. The proposal is supported by the Oklahoma District Attorney’s Council, Corn noted.

Corn said reducing Oklahoma’s dropout rate is critical to ensuring future economic growth in the state.

State Sen. Sean Burrage has been named as one of only 24 elected public officials to be selected for the Aspen Institute’s Rodel Fellowships in Public Leadership 2008 Class of Fellows. Each of the members of the class was selected based on their reputation for intellect, thoughtfulness, and a bipartisan approach to governing. The class is evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats and represents Fellows from 22 states, serving both local and state levels of government. Burrage is the only elected official from Oklahoma chosen for the 2008 class.