OKLAHOMA CITY – A proposal by Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant to end the state’s grocery tax made the list of “100 Ideas” made by Oklahomans to improve the state.

Over the course of the past year, more than 3,500 ideas were submitted through a website and thousands more were collected at “Idea Raisers” held by communities across Oklahoma. The proposal to end the grocery tax was the “Number 25” idea.

Sen. Kenneth Corn has filed three measures intended to curtail the influence of special interests in Oklahoma's electoral process and restore integrity to the system.

Corn said the proposals are a response to a growing concern that average Oklahomans have been priced out of the political process and their influence has become secondary to that of special interest groups.

Oklahoma can and should do a better job of helping vulnerable children with existing resources—that’s according to State Sen. Jay Paul Gumm who announced he has reintroduced legislation to create Oklahoma’s first-ever Children’s Cabinet. His measure had bipartisan support last year, winning unanimous approval in the Senate, but was never given a hearing in the House of Representatives.
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State Sen. Randy Brogdon (R-Owasso) called today for the governor and state leaders to exercise fiscal responsibility and common sense when dealing with the state’s budget woes.

Brogdon also cautioned using stimulus funds and raiding the Rainy Day Fund to fill the budget holes.

“There’s no such thing as free money,” Brogdon said. “These stimulus dollars have strings attached and the noose is tightening around the future generations – our children and grandchildren.”

Sen. Constance N. Johnson announced at a state Capitol press conference on Monday her intention to renew efforts to repeal the death penalty in Oklahoma. Johnson said both economic and ethical concerns make this the right time for the state to reopen dialogue on abolishing the death penalty.

Oklahoma has executed the third-highest number of prisoners since 1976, when the Supreme Court permitted the death penalty to resume.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Todd Lamb (R-Edmond) pointed to a fellow Senator’s call for the abolishment of the Death Penalty in Oklahoma as clear evidence of one major difference between the two parties when it comes to public safety.

“The difference between Republicans and Democrats couldn’t be more stark on public safety issues, given the suggestion today by a Democrat State Senator that the state of Oklahoma abolish the death penalty,” read more.

Oklahoma’s Republican Senate Majority Leader and his fellow GOP legislators are gutting law enforcement agencies by refusing to deal immediately with dangerous levels of budget cuts – cuts that are beginning to endanger public safety, one of the state’s leading law enforcement advocates said today.

Sen. Dan Newberry (R-Tulsa) today issued the following statement regarding the passing of Oral Roberts:

“Today the world mourns the passing of a great man, a great leader and a great mentor, who leaves behind an indelible legacy of ministry and service.

His impact stretched beyond the boundaries of our state to every corner of the world. Age never diminished his passion for the gospel. He finished the race with zeal, and in a manner befitting a man of his tremendous character and unwavering faith.

State Sen. Kenneth Corn on Monday issued the following statement on the passing of Joe Paul Hemphill, former Howe High School Principal, Vice President for Student Affairs at Carl Albert State College and State Regent for Regional Colleges:

Joe Paul Hemphill was uniquely Oklahoman, and he embodied the very values and spirit that make our state grand.

He was a big man in stature, and had a heart for everyone he met. He was a longtime educator who helped instill a love of learning in the lives of countless young people.

OKLAHOMA CITY: According to figures I have reviewed from the Office of State Finance and the reports from Treasurer Meacham today, the state's financial numbers confirm the budget challenge we have long said we'd be facing is indeed upon us.

One year ago, the State Equalization Board certified an FY'10 budget for the Legislature that proved to be18.5% below actual revenues. This estimate missed the mark by a greater percentage than any state in the nation.