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Oklahoma Senate
“We knew from the start that it would be an uphill battle for Oklahoma to prevail in Race to the Top funding this year, but the reforms we passed in the recent legislative session were vital nonetheless,” said Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee. “We’re making progress, and we have more progress to make, with or without federal dollars.”
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A $43 million dollar bond package that would have attracted another $45 million in private donations to complete the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum being built in Oklahoma City failed to receive floor votes on the final day of the 2010 legislative session. State Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole, said as a result, construction on the incomplete facility will be forced to a standstill.
read more.Citizens will soon know exactly how their tax dollars are being spent in their local school districts thanks to a bill signed into law earlier this week. Sen. Randy Brogdon is author of Senate Bill 1633, which creates the School District Transparency Act. The bill is an expansion of Brogdon’s 2007 Taxpayer Transparency Act, which created a website to show taxpayers how the state spends their tax dollars.
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Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee has approved requests for twenty-four interim studies to be conducted in the coming months.
A variety of issues will be examined, including the areas of public safety, health, education, taxation and others. Studies were requested by twelve senators, and they will be heard in nine committees.
For a list of Senate interim studies, visit www.oksenate.gov and click on
Publications/Senate & Other Studies/Interim Studies.
read more.OF CHALLENGE TO FEDERAL HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION read more.
“On behalf of the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the Milacek family. I had the tremendous privilege of serving with Senator Robert Milacek in the Oklahoma Legislature. He was a true statesman and simply a good person. He cared deeply about people, not just in his district but throughout the entire state. He always put their welfare above politics. Robert Milacek epitomized the very best of Oklahoma.”
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The three Republicans who authored pro-life legislation were encouraged Monday when the Governor signed into law Senate Bills 1890, 1891 and 1902.
Senator Todd Lamb (R-Edmond), author of Senate Bill 1890, said he believes these provisions reflect the values of our state and applauds the Governor in his bipartisan approval.
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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.
read more.“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.”
read more.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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