The Senate Education committee advanced House Bill 2753 by President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee (R-OKC) and Representative Lee Denney (R-Cushing), moving the charter school agenda forward.

HB 2753 removes many restrictions that previously prohibited the advancement of charter schools. Coffee says this is a positive stride in giving charter schools the freedom to provide quality choices to parents and students across our state.

The State Senate voted unanimously Tuesday in support of legislation to ensure Oklahoma students will be taught about the Oklahoma City Bombing. House Bill 2750, by Senator Ron Justice, R-Chickasha, and Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing, now moves to Governor Brad Henry for consideration.

While 168 lives were lost in the bombing 15 years ago, the terrorist attack deeply impacted people throughout the state. Justice pointed out people in communities throughout Oklahoma lost friends and family members the morning of April 19th, 1995.
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Sen. Constance N. Johnson on Tuesday praised the Senate’s recent approval of a resolution urging the review of questionable arson convictions. Authored by Johnson, Senate Resolution 99 also supports judicial review and the official adoption of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 921 publication as the standard of care for fire investigation.

State Sen. Cliff Branan has filed legislation to expand the state’s Rainy Day Fund, and was pleased when the Governor announced his support of the idea last week. Branan’s Senate Joint Resolution 69 would increase the cap on the fund from ten to fifteen percent.
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“The governor delivered a straight and honest message to the Legislature and the people of Oklahoma today. I have not yet had opportunity to study the Governor’s budget, but the working relationship between the Governor, the Speaker and I has been very good as we’ve dealt with this unprecedented fiscal challenge, and I anticipate the cooperation will continue.

“We now have an opportunity for a thorough examination of government programs, and to identify the areas in which the state is not most efficiently spending taxpayer dollars, and to eliminate wasteful programs.

“In light of the current budget crisis, the Senate Republican caucus has voted to place policy over politics and defer the election of our next Senate President Pro Tem Designee until the first Tuesday after the November general election. We will spend this session concentrating on the business of the state, and the significant fiscal challenges that face us today.”

The Senate’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee has approved a measure to ensure party bus companies don’t enable underage drinking. Sen. Debbe Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City, said she introduced Senate Bill 1762 because of an incident that occurred in her district.
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The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security has approved legislation that would require Oklahoma drivers to turn on their headlights when their vehicle’s windshield wipers are in use. Sen. Joe Sweeden said Senate Bill 1831 is designed to increase visibility and safety on Oklahoma roadways.

A bill to help ensure families can find out in a timely way when a person has been severely injured or killed in an accident has cleared its first hurdle. Senate Bill 1779 was approved by the Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee on Tuesday. The bill’s author is Sen. Sean Burrage who was contacted by a friend after tragedy struck their family.

State Sen. Ron Justice and Rep. Dale DeWitt joined with their legislative colleagues in honoring one of their own today. Senate Concurrent Resolution 37 congratulates U.S. Senator and former state Senator Jim Inhofe for receiving the American Farm Bureau’s Golden Plow award, the highest honor the organization bestows on members of Congress.
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