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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In an effort to further promote transparency in how taxpayer dollars are spent, State Sen. Randy Brogdon has authored Senate Bill 1633, creating the School District Transparency Act. The measure builds on 2007’s Taxpayer Transparency Act, also authored by Brogdon, which created a website so taxpayers could see exactly how the state spends their dollars. The School District Transparency Act won approval in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday.
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The state Senate on Wednesday approved a resolution supporting pregnancy resource centers and commending their efforts to provide comprehensive care to women and men facing unplanned pregnancies. Authored by Sen. Dan Newberry, Senate Resolution 82 praises pregnancy resource centers for their efforts to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of women with free and confidential services.

The woman who inspired the character Sally Carrera, the blue Porsche from the Pixar movie “Cars,” has been one of Oklahoma’s staunchest supporters and promoters. Thursday Oklahoma returned that favor when the State Senate honored Stroud’s Rock Café owner, Dawn Welch. Her daughter, Alexis Herr, served as a page to the Senate during the first week of the 2010 session, and joined her mother on the floor for the presentation.

State Sen. Harry Coates represents Stroud in the Senate and was author of Senate Resolution 83.

A portrait of traditional Native storyteller Te Ata will be formally dedicated on Monday, February 8 at 1:30 p.m. in the Oklahoma State Senate Chamber.

State Sen. Debbe Leftwich said Monday she would continue to push for legislation that would prohibit any former lawmaker or other elected official from becoming a lobbyist for two years after leaving office. Her legislation, Senate Bill 847, was filed last session, but was not heard in committee. The Senate deadline for committee action this session is February 18.
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As a State Senator, the late Helen Cole often shared stories about her famous Aunt, Chickasaw storyteller, Te Ata. On Monday, a portrait of Te Ata was dedicated to Cole's memory during a ceremony in the State Senate.
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The full Senate is the next stop for legislation aimed at increasing high school graduation rates throughout Oklahoma. Senate Bill 2139, by Sen. John Ford, won unanimous approval by the Senate Education Committee on Monday. Ford said a new study by the Alliance for Excellent Education shows how important this issue is to Oklahoma's economy.
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The Oklahoma State Senate honored the 2009 Jim Thorpe Award winner Eric Berry Monday. The Senate unanimously approved Senate Resolution 81 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, recognizing and commending the standout safety from the University of Tennessee.

“Eric is a tremendous young man of great character whose talents and accomplishments are obvious both on and off the field,” said Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City. “He has a great future ahead of him, and we wish him the best as he enters the National Football League draft this year.”
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