Sen. Joe Sweeden has filed legislation that will move back the starting date for Oklahoma public schools to the last full week in August. Sweeden said the measure could result in important savings in the midst of a budget crunch.

"Fred Morgan is a respected former legislator as well as a trusted and valued Senate staffer. His experience and knowledge of the inner workings of the State Capitol and his history of bipartisan cooperation will serve the State Chamber well. I wish my friend, Fred Morgan, all the best in his new endeavor.

State Sen. John Ford said he was encouraged by Gov. Brad Henry's announcement that he supported increasing the cap on the state's Rainy Day Fund. Ford originally filed legislation raising the cap from 10 to 15 percent to be heard in the 2007 session, however that measure did not make it into law. This past November he announced he had filed the same proposal with Senate Joint Resolution 47 and would push for its passage in the 2010 legislative session.
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Senate Republican Rural Caucus Chairman Ron Justice and members of the Senate Republican Rural Caucus unveiled their policy agenda for the 2010 legislative session at a news conference Wednesday.

With continued success in moving rural Oklahoma forward, the Senate Republican Rural Caucus pledged to continue their efforts in protecting the resources and assets that are vital to the well being of Oklahoma’s economic development and job growth.

In an effort to stimulate Oklahoma’s economy and allow the state to be more competitive with out-of-state companies, Sen. Harry Coates filed the Oklahoma Guest Worker Program Act Monday. Senate Bill 995, which is similar to Utah efforts, would allow illegal immigrants to legally work in the state providing a boost to sales and tax revenues. The bill will stop workers from continuing to flee to surrounding states such as Texas as well as attract hundreds of workers back to jobs that are chronically unfilled in the state.
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Senate Democratic Leader Sean Burrage has chosen Sen. Jerry Ellis to serve as Assistant Democratic Floor Leader. That position was vacant after Burrage was chosen to succeed Sen. Andrew Rice as Democratic Leader.
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As a result of radio talk show host Michael Savage's offer of $1 million to Newt Gingrich to drop out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination, two south Oklahoma City lawmakers are expressing concern over when the Oklahoma County District Attorney might suddenly choose to file charges against Savage for offering a bribe.
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State Sen. Charlie Laster announced this week that he has decided not to seek another term in the Oklahoma State Senate. Although the Shawnee Democrat would not have been term limited until 2016, Laster said it was time to refocus his attention on his family and his legal career.
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Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman issued the following statement Friday after the Oklahoma State and Education Group Insurance Board (OSEEGIB) pharmacy plan vote:

Fridays vote to adopt a new prescription drug plan for state employees was the result of thoughtful cooperation between the public and private sectors to ensure members will have the option of supporting home town pharmacies while enjoying significant savings.

Sen. Dan Newberry recently hosted a Christmas reception for spouses of deployed military members at the state Capitol. The reception followed an October luncheon where military spouses were able to meet, share their personal stories and strengthen their bond with members of the local military community.

Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, adjutant general of the Oklahoma National Guard, spoke to the group about the importance of a support network for military families and provided an update on the progress of construction at the Thunderbird Chapel at Camp Gruber.
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