Senator Jay Paul Gumm reacted with frustration to a letter sent to him by House Speaker Chris Benge.

The Speaker responded to a letter by Senator Gumm delivered Tuesday morning about what the House’s solution would be to the near epidemic incidence of autism in the state. Gumm wrote “Nick’s Law,” a measure that would require insurance companies to cover autism diagnosis and treatment for children.

In 1937 Ed Vandergriff was among the very first state troopers to serve the state when the Oklahoma Highway Patrol was first formed. At the age of 97, he is now the oldest living retired trooper in the state.
On Tuesday the State Senate honored Vandergriff with the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 86. Sen. Jeff Rabon was principal author of SCR 86. The measure was co-authored by Rep. R.C. Pruett, Rep. Paul Roan and Rep. Glenn Bud Smithson who are all former state troopers.

Rabon said Vandergriff had been a long-time family friend.
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“For the second consecutive day, the Senate Republican caucus has put politics ahead of the Oklahoma people. This is typical election year tricks the GOP trots out to divert the dialogue on real solutions for Oklahoma families, like access to affordable healthcare coverage.

The so-called “Voter ID” bill is bad policy for our citizens and straight out of the Karl Rove school of election year posturing. It is another way to disenfranchise senior citizens and minority voters.

With his final session in the State Legislature drawing to a close, members of the Oklahoma State Senate paid tribute Tuesday to Sen. Jeff Rabon. The Hugo Democrat leaves office this year due to term limits. read more.

The Oklahoma State Senate approved a consumer protection measure Wednesday which gives motorists a better picture of what type of fuel they are putting into their gas tanks.

“Consumers have the right to know what they are putting in their gas tanks,” said Sen. Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee, author of Senate Bill 1451. “This legislation requires clearly marked labels to be put on gas pumps which contain a percentage of ethanol or methanol.”

Participants in the first ever “Komen Advocacy Day” at the State Capitol are calling the event a tremendous success. State Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, D-Tulsa, and Rep. Lucky Lamons, D-Tulsa, co-authored legislation to bring awareness to the event and to the organization dedicated to helping more women have greater access to breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs.
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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.