Sen. Sean Burrage today said State Superintendent Janet Barresi's decision to defund the National Board Certification Teacher (NBCT) incentive program represents an epic failure of leadership.

“This is a slap in the face to our best and brightest teachers,” said Burrage, D-Claremore. “Having for years assured Oklahoma teachers of this incentive for their efforts at achieving National Board Certification, funding this program is not just our legal duty, it is a moral obligation.”

Sen. Jim Wilson announced Thursday that he is challenging the constitutionality of the
Senate Redistricting Plan approved this session.

Senate Democratic Leader Andrew Rice fears the worst is yet to come for Oklahoma school children, and places as much blame in the hands of Senate and House Republicans, and Governor Fallin, as is being justly given to Superintendent Janet Barresi.

State Sen. Jerry Ellis today issued the following statement regarding Gov. Mary Fallin’s recent request that Oklahomans pray for rain:

“Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin asked all Oklahomans to pray for rain Sunday, July 17. With drought conditions so extreme, we should be praying. The Valliant United Methodist Church has had rain on our prayer list for several weeks.

With our current conditions calling for prayers, is it necessary for Oklahoma to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on a study to determine if we have surplus water to sell to Texas?

Statement by Senate Democratic Leader Andrew Rice

"Now that Gov. Fallin's job is to responsibly run state government, she has belatedly chosen to comment on the gridlock and anti-government extremism in Washington that she herself proudly helped stoke and solidify over several years as a Congresswoman from Oklahoma's 5th district.

State Sen. Steve Russell will be a keynote speaker for the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans this Saturday, June 18 at 12:50pm CT. The retired Lt. Colonel will be discussing the work and honor of U.S. soldiers as well as the division that currently exists among the country’s leaders, the two parties and various other groups concerning the current direction of the country.
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On Saturday, June 18, State Sen. Ralph Shortey will be joining veterans from around the state at the Bowman Lodge at Lone Tree Ranch in Morris for a special event to raise funds for disabled veterans. The exclusive, five-star hunting and fishing lodge provides an array of free services for injured veterans.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, announced committee assignments for twenty-nine interim studies that have been approved by the senate leader today. Committee meetings will start this summer and conclude before the session begins in February of 2012.

Senate members have requested studies into some of Oklahomas most critical issues, said Bingman. I appreciate their focus and willingness to tackle such big issues in preparation for another great session in 2012.

State Senator Clark Jolley today praised State Superintendent Janet Barresi and members of the state Board of Education for funding reading programs throughout the state.

“Our recent reforms to end social promotion for students who can’t read after the third grade can only succeed with the appropriate level of support,” said Jolley (R-Edmond). “I appreciate the hard work that Superintendent Barresi did in making sure that reading sufficiency funding was addressed in this tight fiscal climate.”

“The only real limits are the ones you put on yourself.” Those are inspirational words, but even more so when you learn about the person behind them. Hailey Mathis is studying political science and history at the University of Oklahoma and balances her class schedule with an internship at the Oklahoma State Senate. She’s also a survivor of the May 3rd, 1999 tornado. One of the most destructive and powerful storms ever seen, Hailey, just 13 at the time, was home alone when the tornado destroyed her Bridge Creek home and changed her life forever.