President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee (R-OKC) worked across party lines Monday to achieve legislation that will help repair Oklahoma’s Medical Examiner Office in dire need of reform.

Pro Tem Coffee, author of SB 738, said the passage of this legislation was crucial because too many Oklahoma families have experienced firsthand the lack of efficiency and continuity within our state’s ME office.

“Within the past few years, we have seen a dramatic downturn in our ME’s office,” said Coffee.

“Chief Wilma Mankiller brought honor to Oklahoma and the Cherokee tribe through her leadership not only within our state and among tribal leaders, but certainly her influence was felt across our nation. She leaves a legacy of service that will be sorely missed by all.”

State Sen. Bryce Marlatt praised Attorney General Drew Edmondson’s request this week that four Liberian-born sisters be removed from of the custody of their adoptive parents until a judge rules whether or not the children should stay with the convicted child abusers.
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State Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield said he plans to be back on the floor of the Senate within a week or two. The Democrat from Ardmore is home recuperating after a blood clot traveled to a lung, causing respiratory difficulty. He’s continuing to receive medications to dissolve a second clot, and was not able to attend session this week. Crutchfield said the clots may be related to knee surgery he underwent about six years ago.
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“Obviously, we have struck a nerve. No telling how many millions of dollars have been flowing to Mexico out of Oklahoma; a large portion of it, due to narcotics trafficking and illegal aliens who work for cash, pay no taxes, and then send it by wire straight to Mexico. Our state’s new regulations on the wire transfers of money have obviously put a dent in this flow of cash to Mexico, and serve as a great tool for law enforcement to identify those engaged in such activity.”

"Today we have taken a giant step backwards. By filing this lawsuit, we could thwart the liberal left's push to encroach on the liberties of all Oklahomans. Attorney General Drew Edmondson has refused to make this bipartisan move to challenge the constitutionality of Obamacare. But we as a legislature will continue to fight for the state of Oklahoma and not allow the government to strip away our liberties one mandate at a time."

State Sen. Jay Paul Gumm has won Senate approval for measures aimed at better protecting families mourning the loss of fallen soldiers. Gumm successfully amended HB 2572 on Monday.

That legislation would better define the language in Oklahoma’s Funeral Picketing Act, which is aimed at keeping protestors from coming within 500 feet of where funeral services are being held from one hour before the services until an hour after the end of the services.
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For the second time in as many years, April 26, 2010 has been designated as “Breast Cancer Awareness Day at the Capitol”, and breast cancer survivors, their families and friends, or anyone interested in saving lives from the disease are welcome to attend. Twenty plus organizations from throughout the state will have displays to share information on the fourth floor rotunda. Artists and survivor authors of Oklahoma will also be present. read more.

“The revenue collections for the month of March are indeed encouraging, but the reality is we have farther to go on this road to recovery. Fiscal responsibility of taxpayer dollars will continue to be a priority, as well as funding for core functions of government. The Legislature will keep track of revenue numbers as we work to draft a balanced budget and complete the people’s business.”

The state Senate on Tuesday approved a resolution celebrating the life and legacy of the late Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty. Daugherty was pastor of Victory Christian Center, and founder of Victory Christian School, Victory Bible Institute, the Tulsa Dream Center and Victory World Missions Training Center. Daugherty passed away last year, after being diagnosed with lymphoma.