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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Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Oklahoma and the leading cause of adult disabilities. That’s why Senate Health and Human Services Committee Co-Chairs Todd Lamb and Andrew Rice are urging Oklahomans to take advantage of a program to better educate citizens about how to identify and help stroke victims.
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Republicans of the Oklahoma State Senate released their policy agenda for the 2008 legislative session today, calling for better roads and bridges, improvements in education and health care, and economic reforms to promote job creation.

Senate Republicans also pledged to make Oklahoma government more accountable and transparent, keep violent and habitual criminals behind bars, and provide more tax relief for Oklahoma taxpayers.

Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“Over the past year in an evenly divided senate, the Senate Democratic Caucus has proven we are willing to set aside partisan politics to find common ground on policies that help move our state forward.

State Senator Andrew Rice (D-OKC) today announced he will revive his legislation to provide tax cuts to Oklahomans who care for and support their aging relatives when the 51st Oklahoma Legislature reconvenes next month.

Rice said he was disappointed that his caretaker’s tax relief plan was omitted from a larger tax reform plan adopted by the legislature last year.