State Senators Debbe Leftwich and Harry Coates on Thursday criticized the Construction Industries Board’s (CIB) recent hiring of an interim director. As co-chairs of the Senate Business and Labor committee, the legislators said it’s time for the CIB to quit stalling and hire a permanent director.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana this week signed a bill requiring health insurance companies in that state to cover diagnosis and treatment of autism.

The measure is similar to an Oklahoma bill known as “Nick’s Law.” That measure passed the Oklahoma Senate four times on bipartisan votes. The bill was repeatedly killed by Republican House Speaker Chris Benge and his leadership team by denying the bill a hearing – either in committee or the full House of Representatives.

Oklahoma is the host state for the 62nd Annual Meeting of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC). The conference, which meets in Oklahoma City from Thursday, July 11 through Tuesday, July 15 is expected to attract more than 800 visitors, including legislative leaders and guests. The SLC region includes 16 southern states which share many of the same concerns in areas ranging from economics to education to energy use.

Oklahoma legislative leaders said they were pleased to host the SLC Annual Meeting for 2008.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Statement from State Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee about former Senate President Pro Tempore and former Congressman Clem McSpadden, who passed away Monday evening:

“Last night Oklahoma lost one of its finest cowboys, Clem McSpadden. He was a worthy successor to the Will Rogers mantle, and a legend in his own right. Clem McSpadden loved his country and his state and served them both with honor and dignity. We will dearly miss him.”

OKLAHOMA CITY--“Oklahoma lost a real champion last night, with the passing of Clem Mcspadden.

“His contribution to this state will be realized for years to come, and our people are better off today because he gave his heart to making Oklahoma a better place to live, work and raise a family.

“Clem embodied the true meaning of public servant, and treated every person with whom he had contact with respect and kindness.

State Senator Sean Burrage today said the passing of formerSenate President Pro Temporeand U.S. Congressman Clem McSpadden is a “sad day for all Oklahomans and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Sen. Jeff Rabon and Rep. R.C. Pruett on Thursday applauded Gov. Brad Henry on selecting longtime Antlers banker Certified Public Accountant Steve Burrage to serve as the state’s new auditor and inspector.

Burrage has served as president and chief executive officer of FirstBank in Antlers since 1982. The former chairman of the board of the Oklahoma Bankers Association has more than 30 years of experience in accounting and banking.

State Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, commented on Gov. Brad Henry’s appointment of Antlers banker Steve Burrage as the new State Auditor and Inspector.

State Senators Debbe Leftwich and Harry Coates called on the Construction Industries Board (CIB) to remove Jerry Regier as the agency's Interim Director. Regier was hired last week - a move the two legislators believe to be pointless.

Oklahoma Republican House members today rolled out laughable media statements saying the Oklahoma Education Association is trying to force rural school consolidation.