State Capitol, Oklahoma City – State Sen. Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher, the Republican co-chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, commented on the revenue certification approved by the state Board of Equalization.

“This is a bump in the road, that will require some belt tightening, but it is certainly not a crisis. We’ll roll up our sleeves and work together to pass a budget that puts critical state functions first,” said Johnson. “The Legislature should proceed very cautiously and must avoid digging budget holes that will negatively impact future budget years.”

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – The State Senate Finance Committee voted 6-5 today to advance Senate Bill 1383 out of committee and to the Senate floor for debate. SB 1383 is a bill to speed up the elimination of the death tax in Oklahoma that will have no impact on the upcoming budget year.

State Senator Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher and Senator Ron Justice, R-Chickasha, praised the passage of SB 1383 by the Senate Finance Committee.

With education revenues from the state lottery failing to produce the amount of education revenues initially projected, John Ford has authored legislation to examine whether to privatize the operation. Senate Bill 2173 is now headed to the full Senate for a vote after winning committee approval on Wednesday.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has given approval to Senate Bill 1150 which will require voters to show identification when they cast their ballots. Sen. John Ford, who represents Craig, Nowata and Washington Counties, is author of the measure, which would require voters to show identification at the polls.

OKLAHOMA CITY-The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved legislation this week that would update Oklahoma’s drinking laws and make it illegal for the consumption or possession of alcohol (hard liquor) by a person under the age 21.

Senate Bill 1724, authored by State Senator Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee, now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY-The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee unanimously approved legislation Wednesday which would designate the first Monday of each month to honor veterans who are currently serving or were killed in the global war on terrorism. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY-A Senate panel approved legislation Wednesday for a comprehensive Patients Bill of Rights that will allow Oklahomans enrolled in health care plans to get fair service and quality care for which they pay.

Senate Bill 2114, authored by Senator Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, is part of the Senate Democratic “Vision for Oklahoma” agenda aimed at achieving affordable health care coverage for all Oklahomans and holding powerful insurance companies responsible to Oklahoma families. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

Sen. Kenneth Corn on Wednesday said an effort to consolidate the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) could endanger the state’s ability to convict criminals.

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved Senate Bill 1709 to consolidate the two agencies, though Corn said the measure could compromise the integrity of the prosecutorial process.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City—The Senate Appropriations Committee passed key pieces of the Senate Republican agenda to streamline state agencies and make state government more accountable and innovative.

"Senate Republicans are strongly committed to making government more accountable, more effective and more efficient for taxpayers," stated Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. "It was pleasing to see bipartisan support in the Appropriations Committee for our proposals."

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – State Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee said he will strongly push his legislation to merge the Office Chief Medical Examiner with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and said he is disappointed in criticism of his bill that seems to impugn the integrity and professionalism of the OSBI.