The State Senate voted today in a bi-partisan fashion to send a measure to a vote of the people to declare English the official language of Oklahoma. If the measure receives final approval before the end of this legislative session, it will go on the Primary Election ballot in July or a Special Election ballot, whichever comes first.

The Oklahoma State Senate recognized Stilwell Strawberry Festival Queen Tawnie Goodwin and her royal court Wednesday as part of the annual Strawberry Day at the State Capitol.

Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah and Rep. John Auffet, D-Stilwell welcomed the group and had a resolution read recognizing the 61st annual Strawberry Festival which will be held on Saturday, May 10 in Stilwell.

The festival was started on May 10, 1948 by the Stilwell Kiwanis as a way of promoting Stilwell and its strawberry growers. The event attracts about 30,000 people a year, Wilson said.

Supporters of the bill to make English the official language are disappointed that Senate Democrats utilized a rarely-used procedural maneuver to block an up-or-down vote on the bill by sending it to a conference committee.

The bill’s author, Senate Republican Floor Leader Owen Laughlin, said the Democrats’ obstruction likely kills Senate Bill 163 for the 2008 session.

Burrage Plan Headed to Governor’s Desk for Approval

A bill that would protect Oklahoma senior citizens in life-insurance scams was unanimously approved today by the Oklahoma State Senate. Senate Bill 1980, authored by Senator Sean Burrage, now goes to Governor Brad Henry’s desk for approval.

A portrait of Houston B. Teehee, a Cherokee who served as United States Treasurer under President Woodrow Wilson, was dedicated today in a ceremony in the chamber of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The portrait of Teehee, by Oklahoma City artist Christopher Nick, was a gift of Cherokee Nation Tourism and commissioned by the State Senate Historical Preservation Fund. read more.

Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee responded to Gov. Brad Henry’s veto of House Bill 2458, a bipartisan lawsuit reform bill.

“It is disappointing, but not surprising, that Gov. Henry has once again vetoed a bipartisan lawsuit reform bill. Instead of continually saying ‘no’ to lawsuit reform with his veto pen, the governor needs to tell the Legislature which reforms he will say ‘yes’ to,” stated Senate Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. “The trial lawyers have a true friend in Gov. Brad Henry.”

The Oklahoma Senate voted 26 to 22 today to pass the School Protection Act, a bipartisan lawsuit reform bill providing teachers and schools protections from lawsuits. Last month the House of Representatives passed the bill by a 94 to 0 vote. It now goes to Gov. Brad Henry.

The School Protection Act, Senate Bill 1024, is authored by State Senate Co-Floor Leader Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward, and State Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa.

A long struggle came to a positive end when Gov. Brad Henry signed House Bill 3060, a measure creating a public umbilical cord blood bank in Oklahoma.

The new law, by Senator Jay Paul Gumm and Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, establishes the public cord blood bank, eventually giving every Oklahoma family the ability to donate umbilical cord blood. The pair of lawmakers has sponsored the measure for several years, finally securing passage over a number of obstacles this year.

Sen. Jonathan Nichols on Tuesday planned to amend legislation to establish a felony for a first offense of domestic abuse, when a pattern of such behavior could be established.

A study released today shows passage of “Nick’s Law” would not spike insurance costs and would ultimately save taxpayers millions.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm – chief sponsor of “Nick’s Law,” a bill requiring health insurance to cover autism diagnosis and treatment – said the study shows a negligible premium cost. The measure would represent only a 0.47 percent premium cost, roughly a tenth of the current rate of inflation.