State Sen. Kenneth Corn is urging the incoming State Legislature to address the staff shortages in Oklahoma’s prisons before the public or Department of Corrections (DOC) employees are placed at further risk.

Corrections and public safety were always top priorities for Corn, and as he prepares to leave office, he called on returning and newly elected lawmakers to make these issues priorities as well.

State Sen. Anthony Sykes said he was extremely pleased by the overwhelming support voters gave for a Constitutional amendment to make English the state’s official language and a second Constitutional amendment to ban Oklahoma courts from considering international or Sharia law when making decisions. Sykes, R-Moore, was the Senate author of legislation placing the two questions before voters.

“Yesterday was truly an extraordinary day in the history of our state in many ways. Republicans fielded an outstanding slate of Senate candidates in all corners of the state, and they worked hard to convey their pro-growth message that resonated with Oklahomans across party lines. It was truly phenomenal to pick up six seats, and we’re gratified by the response of the voters in the districts. We had great candidates and they campaigned hard.

State Sen. John Ford said he was extremely gratified by Tuesday’s passage of State Question 746. Ford was author of the legislative referendum which will protect the integrity of Oklahoma's voting system by requiring voters to show identification before casting their ballots at the polls. According to unofficial returns, about 75 percent of voters approved the measure.

State Senators John Ford and Clark Jolley are calling for a member of the State School Board to resign from that post.

Jolley, a member of the Senate Education Committee said he was appalled by reports that former State Senator and current board member Herb Rozell had referred to State Superintendent Janet Barresi's legislative liaison as "useless" because she was pregnant and her baby is expected to be born during the legislative session.

With consumers struggling to pay ever increasing insurance rates, Sen. Earl Garrison wants insurance companies to be accountable to citizens and justify any rate increases. Senate Bill 354 would ensure that premium rate information relating to the individual accident and health insurance market be readily available to the public

Oklahoma State Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman (R-Sapulpa) today expressed concern over what he called a pattern of obstruction by the State Board of Education in recent months. Bingman’s comments came after the State Board of Education today blocked the hiring of key personnel at the Department of Education by new State Superintendent Janet Barresi.

Sen. Bill Brown has introduced legislation to help Oklahomans see exactly what different medical providers charge for the same procedure or services. Brown says the system will ultimately bring down the cost of medical care in Oklahoma.

"Consumers will be able to go online and see for themselves what their out-of-pocket cost would be for a specific procedure and actually compare what different providers charge," said Brown, R-Broken Arrow. "This will not only help individual consumers save money on medical care, but I believe it will be the catalyst for more competitive prices."

State Sen. David Holt has introduced legislation to repeal the system known as "binding arbitration." Holt, R-Oklahoma City, said Senate Bill 826 would restore taxpayer control and fiscal responsibility to local spending decisions.

The deadline for members of the Oklahoma State Senate to file legislation for the first session of the 53rd Legislature was 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 20th. By that deadline 969 bills and 44 joint resolutions filed. Last year 1082 bills and 82 joint resolutions were filed, with 860 Senate Bills and 38 Senate Joint Resolutions carried over from the 2009 session.