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.
read more.

“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.
read more.

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.
read more.

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.
read more.

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.