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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Military personnel returning from overseas service would have an easier time voting under legislation approved unanimously Monday by the Senate Rules Committee. SB 718, authored by Sen. Don Barrington, would allow those who return up to three months before an election to still be able to vote even without being registered.
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Under legislation passed Tuesday by the Senate Finance Committee, Oklahoma military personnel could soon get some tax relief. Senate Bill 881 by Sen. Steve Russell would exempt state military pay from state income taxes.

“Our military service men and women are grossly underpaid and this is one thing we can do to help ease their financial burden,” said Russell, R-Oklahoma City. “They sacrifice so much for our country and for those around the world that can’t fight for themselves. This would be just a small token of our appreciation for their hard work and dedication.”
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Oklahomans could help the children of military personnel killed in action further their education by donating a portion of their income tax refund to them under legislation approved Tuesday by the Senate Finance Committee. Sen. Don Barrington is author of Senate Bill 721 which would give those donations to the nonprofit charitable organization, Folds of Honor Incorporated.

The Oklahoma State Capitol is quickly approaching the centennial of its official opening in 1917. To help commemorate the centennial and ensure the building is ready for its next century, State Sen. Harry Coates has authored Senate Bill 482. Rep. Liebmann will co-author the legislation which would create the Oklahoma State Capitol Centennial Commemoration and Preservation Act.
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Senator John Sparks (D-Norman) has filed a measure intended to eliminate the state income taxes paid by full time Higher Education and Career Technology students.

“We need to do all we can for students who are struggling to make ends meet,” said Sparks. “Approval of this legislation would send a clear message that the Legislature wants Oklahomans to become better educated and we’re here to help.”

A measure to create more uniformity in adoptions and ensure full disclosure of fees has cleared its first major hurdle in the Senate. Senate Bill 1029, by Sen. Steve Russell, was approved by the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Russell, R-Oklahoma City, said that as an adoptive parent, it was an area of law of special concern to him.
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