The State Senate on Wednesday honored former Harlem Globetrotter and Oklahoma native Marques Haynes with the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 54, praising Haynes for his achievements and designating February 27, 2008, as Marques Haynes appreciation day in the state of Oklahoma.
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Lt. Gov. Jari Askins had the honor of being acting Governor of the state the day her hometown of Duncan claimed a new title—the Crapemyrtle Capital of Oklahoma. Senate Concurrent Resolution 44, by Sen. Anthony Sykes and Rep. Dennis Johnson, won final passage Wednesday at the State Capitol. Sykes represents Duncan in the State Senate, and said he was extremely pleased that both chambers approved the measure unanimously.
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Burrage Says Program Will Help Curb Oklahoma High School Dropout Rates

A bill that would match at-risk Oklahoma high school students with community mentors, unanimously passed on the Oklahoma State Senate floor by a 47-0 vote today.

Authored by State Senator Sean Burrage, the bill creates a graduation coach model within the Oklahoma State Department of Education that will help students stay on track academically, while setting up an a mentor system to help guide students through with out-of-classroom obstacles that could hinder graduation.

Oklahomans are a step closer to being able to purchase a license plate displaying the national motto of “In God We Trust.”

The Oklahoma Senate approved Senate Bill 1146 on a rare unanimous 48-0 vote. Senator Jay Paul Gumm sponsors the measure.

Under the bill, Oklahomans would be able to purchase an “In God We Trust” license plate for a $15 additional fee; the additional cost covers design and production of the plate, meaning taxpayers would not have to fund the tags’ production or design.

Budget talks began this week at the State Capitol, resulting in the first bipartisan appropriations agreement of the 2008 legislative session.

Governor Brad Henry and legislative budget leaders announced Thursday that an agreement has been reached on supplemental funding for the Department of Corrections and the Office of Juvenile Affairs.

The agreement includes:
Department of Corrections $24,000,000
Office of Juvenile Affairs $2,000,000

State Senator Andrew Rice’s effort to convert most of the state government vehicle fleets to compressed natural gas (CNG) was temporarily derailed by Senate Republicans in floor action today, Rice said.

Rice was attempting to add his conversion proposal to a bill (SB 1604) by State Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City, that directs the Secretary of Energy to create a state energy policy.

State Senator Jim Wilson, (D-Tahlequah) filed several legislative amendments this week in an attempt to make preventative healthcare more accessible to all Oklahomans and hold insurance companies accountable to Oklahoma policy holders.

“Oklahoma is in the midst of a healthcare crisis,” Wilson said. “The health of our state is a critical issue. It is a non-partisan issue. This legislation represents a step in the right direction. It is a win-win for the healthcare providers and their insured.”

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – The leaders of the Oklahoma Senate and House of Representatives today released the findings of an independent performance audit of the Department of Corrections conducted by MGT of America, Inc.

Speaker of the House Lance Cargill, Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan, and Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee issued the following statement regarding the audit:

Following the release of an independent performance audit of the Department of Corrections, Senator Jeff Rabon on Tuesday again called for the construction of a new, 2,500 inmate correctional facility to be located on 5,200 acres currently occupied by the Howard McCleod Correctional Center in Atoka.
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State Sen. Kenneth Corn said dramatically declining budget projections are proof that the legislature needs to consider his budget stabilization legislation in the 2008 session.
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