President Pro Tempore Designate Brian Bingman announced Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond as Vice Chairman of Appropriations. Last week Bingman announced Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City as Chairman of Appropriations.

The decision to select an Appropriations Committee Chair and Vice Chair before other committee selections are made is a result of a focus on budget challenges ahead according to Senator Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa.

“Sen. Jolley will do an excellent job as Appropriations Vice Chairman. He is ready to start the difficult budget work ahead” stated Bingman.

After receiving an invitation from President Abdoulaye Wade of the Republic of Senegal, Sen. Constance Johnson will be attending the opening week of the World Festival of Black Arts and Cultures in Dakar next month, December 10-17. The Oklahoma City senator will be joining an official U.S, delegation which includes members of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.
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An Oklahoma law to ensure greater opportunities for special needs students is gaining national attention. Enid Republican Patrick Anderson was the Senate author of legislation approved this past session to enable public dollars to fund private educational opportunities for special needs children from single parent and lower income households.
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“I applaud Governor-elect Fallin on her selection of Pyllis Hudecki as Secretary of Education. She has a proven track record in education and business. Students in our schools, universities, and career tech systems will all improve as a result of her leadership” stated Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond.

Sen. Patrick Anderson will hold an interim study on reforming the state pension systems on Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 511-A of the State Capitol. The executive directors of the various state pension systems will be presenting reports on the current financial status of their respective systems.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Justice Marian Opala. He epitomizes the very best of public service, representing our state’s highest court with tremendous dignity and professionalism. I know many people are surprised when they learn the polite and friendly juror with a wonderful sense of humor was a part of the Polish Underground in World War II fighting for freedom.

In response to the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) budget-induced reductions in senior feeding programs, Sen. Dan Newberry this spring began working with a coalition of pastors and community leaders in his district to replace the program with new, privately funded centers at Glenpool Faith Church and the Glenpool Community Center. The 25:40 Coalition is now serving 40 meals per day, five days a week at a cost of $2 per meal. Comparatively, DHS spent $115,550 to serve 23 meals per day in 2009 at the Redbud Village Senior Center in Glenpool.

For three years, State Sen. Bill Brown has authored legislation to strengthen Oklahoma’s Boating Under the Influence laws with no success. Following the recent fatal boating accident at Lake Eufaula, Brown says it is time for the Legislature to take this issue seriously and stop putting recreation before safety.
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State Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton, has been chosen to receive the first annual “Shawn Beaty Award” for legislation aimed at helping solve cold cases. The award, given by the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), will be presented during a ceremony at Bauder College in Atlanta, Georgia, October 7, 2010, and is named for Oklahoma homicide victim Shawn Beaty.

Barrington was principal Senate author of HB 3294 which enables Oklahoma law enforcement to take advantage of outside resources available for investigating unsolved crimes.

State Sen. Brian Crain said it is time to refocus Oklahoma’s efforts to demand meaningful immigration reform at the national level. Crain, a former prosecutor, said Washington D.C.’s failure to act has put the lives of American citizens at increasing risk.

“While the federal government continues to do nothing but curry favor with internationalists, our border continues to leak. The Obama Administration’s ineffectiveness is leading to rampant lawlessness, increased drug trafficking and the growing potential for more domestic terrorism,” said Crain, R-Tulsa.
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