Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee today named Co-Chairmen and Co-Vice Chairmen of the 2010 Redistricting Committee. Senators Clark Jolley (R-Edmond) and Mike Schulz (R-Altus) will serve as Co-Chairmen of the committee, joined by Co-Vice Chairmen Senators Andrew Rice (D-OKC) and Sean Burrage (D-Claremore).

State Sen. Jerry Ellis, D-Valliant, and Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, are protesting plans by Oklahoma City to purchase the water of Sardis Lake—plans they say would be premature, given a statewide water study mandated by the State Legislature will not even be completed for another two years.

On a bipartisan vote of 38 to 8, the full Senate on Wednesday gave its approval to a voluntary measure aimed at persuading more Oklahoma restaurants to go smoke-free. State Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, and Rep. Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, are authors of the “Clean Air in Restaurants Act.” Jolley explained the goal of House Bill 2774 is to provide restaurants with financial incentives to go completely smoke-free by 2012.

A bipartisan effort has put a bill on Governor Henry’s desk to make certain health insurance companies cover the same illnesses for children with autism as they do children without such a diagnosis.

That assurance is contained in Senate Bill 2045. When the bill was before the Senate, Senator Jay Paul Gumm proposed the language as an amendment, which senators overwhelmingly approved. The amended bill passed both the Senate and House of Representatives and is now on its way to the governor.

The State Senate Monday gave bipartisan approval to five sanctity of life bills, providing more safeguards for the unborn.

Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee said he was encouraged by his colleagues’ efforts and success in pushing for strong, pro-life reforms.

“Senate Republicans continue to fight for life of the unborn, and we saw members from both parties join together in supporting this great cause,” said Coffee. “Oklahomans have consistently voted and called for measures like these, and today we have held true to Oklahoma values.”

Oklahomans are three steps closer to seeing relief in our state’s Worker’s Compensation system with the passage of three reform bills in the State Senate.

Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, sponsor of House Bills 1611, 2652 and 2659, said these bills would not only protect rights of Oklahoma workers, but also move towards a more business-friendly climate in our state.

Senator Andrew Rice (D-Oklahoma City) said today, the anti-government rhetoric among some Republican state legislators has reached disturbing levels. Rice pointed to comments by a Republican legislator running for statewide office who said on Wednesday the federal government is "tyrannical" and said he is willing to take his challenge of the federal government "to the max."

The full Senate on Wednesday approved language to give 100 percent service-connected disabled veterans a special two-day hunting season. Senator Jay Paul Gumm included the measure as an amendment to House Bill 2701.

“This is based on a law on the books in the State of Michigan,” explained Gumm, a Democrat from Durant. “Our disabled veterans have sacrificed more than any of us can imagine. This benefit is just one more way we can honor and thank them for their service.”

The state Senate on Tuesday approved a resolution celebrating the life and legacy of the late Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty. Daugherty was pastor of Victory Christian Center, and founder of Victory Christian School, Victory Bible Institute, the Tulsa Dream Center and Victory World Missions Training Center. Daugherty passed away last year, after being diagnosed with lymphoma.

“The revenue collections for the month of March are indeed encouraging, but the reality is we have farther to go on this road to recovery. Fiscal responsibility of taxpayer dollars will continue to be a priority, as well as funding for core functions of government. The Legislature will keep track of revenue numbers as we work to draft a balanced budget and complete the people’s business.”