Members of the State Senate paid tribute to Oklahoma’s Trooper of the Year Award winners for 2007, which included state troopers who risked their own lives to perform a daring helicopter rescue of a Kingfisher couple. Sen. Charles Laster authored legislation honoring Lt. Brian Sturgill and Trooper Joe Howard for their bravery.

The Oklahoma State Senate approved a measure Thursday creating the Large Animal Veterinarian Incentive Act which provides incentives to veterinary school graduates to locate their practices in rural communities.

Senate Bill 70, authored by Sen. Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee and Rep. Jerry Shoemake, D-Morris, now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The Oklahoma State Senate adopted a resolution Thursday recognizing Dale and Carrie Schultz and their son J.C. of Catoosa as the 2008 Family of the Year for Special Olympics Oklahoma.

Senate Resolution 92 was authored by Sen. Mary Easley, D-Tulsa. She introduced the family on the Senate floor at the State Capitol.

An analysis by Rep. Ron Peterson of an actuarial study on “Nick’s Law” shows the representative’s “serious lack of understanding” about the autism crisis, according to Senator Jay Paul Gumm.

“Rep. Peterson may know his former profession – insurance – but his analysis of the actuarial study we provided to him shows he simply does not understand the autism crisis,” said Gumm, a Democrat from Durant who has fought for passage of autism insurance.

The Oklahoma Senate voted 32 to 15 Monday to send Gov. Brad Henry legislation to make state government more accountable, effective and innovative.

Senate Bill 1865, by Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, creates an Office of Accountability and Innovation at the Legislative Service Bureau. The office will conduct regular performance audits of agencies, recommend best practices to improve efficiency in government, review tax policy, and suggest new innovations to make government more accountable and effective for taxpayers.

The state Senate on Monday approved legislation intended to curb the growing problem of copper theft. Senate Bill 1856, authored by Sen. Cliff Branan, is a comprehensive measure that includes increased fines and punishments for the crime of copper theft and requires more stringent record keeping from scrap metal and junk dealers.

Branan said the measure provides Oklahoma law enforcement with much-needed tools to combat a crime epidemic affecting citizens throughout the state.

Yogi Berra’s words – “It ain’t over until it’s over” – still has a slim chance of ringing true for families fighting for autism insurance, according to the bill’s sponsor.

Monday (May 19), two newspapers – both in predominantly Republican communities – published editorials in support of “Nick’s Law,” a measure by Senator Jay Paul Gumm that would require health insurance policies cover diagnosis and treatment for autistic children.

The full Senate has given final approval to a measure requiring all prenatal classes to provide educational materials to expectant mothers about the dangers of alcohol and drug use during pregnancy. Charlie Laster is the Senate author of House Bill 2705, authored by Rep. Kris Steele in the House of Representatives.
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Senator Anthony Sykes said Tuesday that Senate Democrats are not allowing his House Bill 3001 to come out of conference committee.

Sen. Jeff Rabon on Tuesday criticized the recent House passage of a resolution encouraging the Attorney General to defend the state in a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Oklahoma’s moratorium on the out-of-state sales of Oklahoma water.

Approval of House Concurrent Resolution 1088, Rabon said, amounted to little more than political grandstanding.