As many as 26,000 Oklahoma veterans are uninsured, but that could soon change thanks to the efforts of State Sen. Andrew Rice. The Oklahoma City Democrat’s legislation, Senate Bill 59, was unanimously approved Wednesday by the Senate Appropriations Committee.
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The Senate Appropriations Committee passed a measure Wednesday that could provide tuition assistance to more Oklahoma students. SB 354, by Sen. David Myers, would expand the OHLAP program by allowing the income requirement to be based on a family’s yearly salary or a three-year average.
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Senator Clark Jolley’s Senate Bill 1111 was approved by the Senate Education Committee today with a bipartisan 8-5 vote.

Jolley is encouraged by the passage of the “Educational Accountability Reform Act” and is pleased the committee saw fit to advance the measure.

The Senate Rules Committee on Monday approved legislation intended to streamline services for state agencies and organizations that serve Oklahoma children. Senate Bill 697 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm would create Oklahoma’s first-ever Children’s Cabinet to recommend and implement policies to improve the health and well-being of children.

Gumm said the legislation would ensure that state agencies are efficiently implementing resources through a shared vision for Oklahoma’s youth.

State Senator John Ford has won committee passage of a bill designed to give greater local control to Oklahoma public school districts. Senate Bill 834, the School District Empowerment Program, would remove many of the unfunded state mandates currently restricting the ability of local school districts to best decide how to use resources to benefit their students.
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The Senate Rules Committee has approved a pro-active bill designed to strengthen the integrity of Oklahoma's elections. Senate Bill 4, by Sen. John Ford would require anyone voting in person to show proof of identity.

Ford said voters could use a photo ID issued by the United States, the State of Oklahoma or a federally recognized Indian Tribe or Nation. Voters without a government issued photo ID could simply show their county issued Voter ID card.
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Sen. Kenneth Corn on Monday said the failure of his legislation to end the partisan appointment of County Election Board Secretaries suggests that Senate Republicans lack a commitment to ending political patronage in Oklahoma.

Senate Bill 609 by Senator Todd Lamb, passed out of the Judiciary Committee today.

The provisions in Senate Bill 609 reduce the number of judges on the Workers’ Compensation Court from ten to seven. Four of the judges will be permanently assigned to the Oklahoma City Workers' Compensation Court, and three permanently assigned to the Tulsa Workers' Compensation Court.

Senate Bill 609 also brings reform to the judicial nominating process by requiring Senate confirmation of appointments to the Workers Compensation Court and appellate courts.

“As one would have suspected, the revenue picture of the State of Oklahoma has not improved since the last figures certified by the State Equalization Board, so our response is the same.

“Clearly, we will look at state agencies and programs to identify areas in which savings and greater efficiencies can be found.

“It is small consolation to be sure, but I’m thankful for our conservative spending practices of the past, which place us in a more enviable position than a vast majority of states find themselves today.

The Senate Business and Labor Committee approved a measure Monday to extend the same protection given to contractors on public projects under the Fair Pay and Construction Act to those working on private projects. Sen. Harry Coates is the author of Senate Bills 1012 which would help ensure contractors are paid in a timely manner for their work
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