A proposal to add more licensed Anesthesiologist Assistants in Oklahoma that passed the State Senate with bipartisan support on Wednesday will help relieve the state’s labor shortage among medical providers, it’s co-author, State Senator Andrew Rice (D-Oklahoma City), said today.

“This is a responsible and prudent policy for Oklahoma,” Rice said. “We have an opportunity to address a problem with our medical labor pool and provide more healthcare services to the people of Oklahoma.”

A bill to get communities more involved in the fight against youth obesity was approved Thursday by the Senate. Senate Bill 1612, by Chickasha Republicans Sen. Ron Justice and Rep. Susan Winchester, now goes to the Governor for his approval.

Following is a statement by Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, following the announcement by Speaker Benge that the House of Representatives will not hear “Nick’s Law,” a measure that would require health insurance to cover autism diagnosis and treatment:

“It is regrettable the Speaker has closed his door on ‘Nick’s Law’ for this legislative session – without so much as a hearing in what is supposed to be ‘The People’s House.’ For the fourth time this year, House Republican leadership has turned its back on Oklahoma’s children with autism and their families.

Portraits of Oklahoma’s seven territorial governors were dedicated Monday by officials of the Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) and Governor Brad Henry at the State Capitol.

State Senate Democrat leaders have refused a request to help bring compromise language for a referendum on term limits for statewide officials to a vote in the State Senate. So, the Senate will have to vote on the existing proposal, the bill’s authors said Monday.

“It’s so sad Republicans seem to be so focused on political issues that do nothing to make health care more affordable for our citizens. If they would have done their homework they would know what Oklahomans want more than anything is access to affordable health care.

State Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson’s efforts to promote education reform and innovation will long be remembered as her legacy in the Oklahoma Legislature. Wilcoxson was honored by the State Senate on Monday. She is completing her twelfth and final session in the Legislature due to term limits.

The State Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 38 on Monday by a vote of 46-0, sending to a vote of the people Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee's proposal to provide constitutional protections for the right of Oklahomans to hunt and fish.

SJR 38 adds a new section to the State Constitution giving all Oklahomans the right to hunt, trap, fish, and take game and fish. Under this legislation, state laws to prohibit anyone from engaging in such activities are not allowed.

Foster and adoptive parents along with child advocates gathered at the State Capitol Tuesday to rally for Oklahoma’s 12,000 foster children. Several hundred pairs of shoes dotted the south steps as a small representation of those children. The Foster Care Association of Oklahoma, Inc. (FCAO) collected the shoes throughout April as part of their “Heart and Soles” program to help raise awareness about the needs of the state’s foster care system.
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Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, has sent House Speaker Chris Benge a letter asking for a proposal from the Speaker to help families struggling to provide services to children with autism.

Gumm is the primary author of “Nick’s Law,” a measure that would require health insurance policies to cover autism diagnosis and treatment. Last week, Speaker Benge announced he would not allow the bill to be considered by the House of Representatives.

Text of Senator Gumm’s letter, hand delivered to Benge’s Capitol office Tuesday, follows:

May 6, 2008