More Oklahoma students could qualify for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP) under legislation approved Thursday by the Senate. SB 354, by Sen. David Myers, would modify the state tuition program by allowing the income requirement to be based on a family’s yearly salary or a three-year average.
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Legislation by Sen. Randy Brogdon calling for the end of federal mandates and programs that usurp states’ rights is gaining national attention. The Owasso Republican said Senate Joint Resolution 10 has struck a chord, not only with Oklahomans, but with people from around the country. The Washington Post, Washington Times, the Boston Globe and Reuters are among the many news organizations that have interviewed Brogdon about SJR 10. Brogdon said Congress has overstepped its powers as outlined in the U.S. Constitution and eroded the sovereignty of individual states.

State Senator Steve Russell has won support in the Senate for a bill to create more uniformity in adoptions and ensure full disclosure of fees. Senate Bill 1029, by Sen. Steve Russell, was approved unanimously Thursday. Russell, R-Oklahoma City, is an adoptive parent, and said the measure could actually result in lower costs for private adoptions.

Russell noted that a grand jury investigation had exposed instances of financial exploitation of Oklahomans who were seeking private adoptions.
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The State Senate approved legislation Thursday to help prepare the state Capitol for its second century. The building will celebrate the centennial of its official opening in 2017, but Sen. Harry Coates is concerned that years of poor maintenance could keep the structure from being habitable in its second century.
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The State Senate unanimously passed legislation Thursday to help save Oklahoma's counties and municipalities thousands of dollars that are lost each year through the vandalism of signs and other property. Senate Bill 348, by Sen. David Myers, would allow counties and municipalities to offer higher rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals for such crimes.
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Tax relief could soon be on its way for Oklahoma military families following unanimous approval of legislation by the State Senate Thursday to provide an income tax exemption for serving military personnel. Sen Steve Russell, a retired Army infantryman and combat veteran, is author of Senate 881 and believes his bill would not only help military families, but the state’s economy.

A delegation consisting of the five Republican freshmen Senators congratulate Sen. Coffee for being
elected as Pro Tem of the Senate before escorting him to the President's chair.

is available of Sen. Coffee's speech following his official election by the Senate to the position of President Pro Tempore as well as a media Q & A with Coffee following the election ceremony.

Newly elected President Pro-Tempore Glenn Coffee announced Tuesday that long-awaited reform will be coming to the Legislature this session. Upon Coffee’s election as the new President Pro Tempore of the State Senate, the Senate approved new Senate rules for governing its legislative body.

In ten separate votes pertaining to the newly adopted Senate Rules, Senate Republicans sent a message loud and clear to the powerful insurance industry today: "Help is on the way"

Republicans in the Oklahoma State Senate released their policy agenda for the 2009 legislative session today, calling for a fairer and more business friendly tax policy, reform of the archaic and business-unfriendly legal system in Oklahoma, and to continue to improve our state’s infrastructure.