Sen. John Ford has won full Senate approval on a measure to end the cumbersome process now required to terminate a bad teacher—a process that can cost a school district tens of thousands of dollars and several months to resolve.
Senate Bill 1, approved on Wednesday, would end the process known as trial de novo, which currently gives teachers the right to appeal a school board’s decision to district court.
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The Oklahoma State Senate paused to honor the life and service of Frank Buckles, the sole surviving veteran of World War I. The former Oklahoma resident passed away on February 27 at the age of 110. The full Senate gave its approval to Senate Concurrent Resolution 8, by Sen. Jim Reynolds, on Wednesday.

“I think it is good for us to reflect on our past and the things that made our nation great,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “World War I changed the world. The service of men like Frank Buckles truly set America on a path to greatness.”
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The full Senate gave approval to Senate Bill 878 today, a workers compensation bill authored by Sen. Patrick Anderson, R-Enid, and Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Moore. The bill was crafted in coordination with Governor Mary Fallin’s Workers Compensation Study Group, which includes members of the legislature and business professionals from various backgrounds. The bill was passed by an overwhelming bi-partisan vote of 44-0.
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The Oklahoma State Senate is continuing efforts to reduce costs within the agency in anticipation of additional budget cuts in the coming fiscal year. That’s according to Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman who has been working with members and staff to find more innovative ways to reduce costs.

“We recently informed our staff that the Senate would offer another round of voluntary buyouts this year. We offered this program during the 2010 session and 25 employees accepted, resulting in a savings of $1.8 million,” said Bingman, R-Sapulpa.
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The full Senate has given approval to a measure reforming the state’s binding arbitration law. Senate Bill 826, by Sen. David Holt, was approved by the Senate on Thursday. Holt said binding arbitration needs to be reformed to create a system that is more fair and equitable for the taxpayers who bear the burden of its results.

Under legislation approved by the state Senate on Monday, candidates for public office would be required to provide proof of identity and eligibility to hold office.

Referencing strong support for State Question 746, a voter ID ballot measure approved last year, Sen. Rick Brinkley said it was sensible that candidates meet the same minimal requirement.

Financial relief could soon be on its way to over 2,500 widows of disabled veterans thanks to legislation approved Monday by the full Senate. Senate Bill 46, by Sen. Don Barrington, would extend a portion of the sales tax exemption given to 100% disabled veterans to their spouses.

Barrington, a Vietnam Veteran, explained the sales tax exemption for disabled veterans is Oklahoma’s way of acknowledging and thanking veterans for their tremendous sacrifice that ultimately left them unable to work.

State Sen. Clark Jolley won full Senate approval Monday for legislation to end social promotion in Oklahoma’s public schools. Senate Bill 346 was approved on a vote of 36 to 8. While critics of the bill said holding children back would stigmatize them, Jolley countered promoting children who cannot read is a recipe for failure.
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Sen. Ralph Shortey on Monday successfully amended a measure to require that presidential primary candidates provide proof of natural-born United States citizenship upon filing with the state election board.

Shortey added the provision to Senate Bill 91, which would require candidates for public office to provide photo ID and proof of eligibility to hold office.

The full Senate gave approval to a bill that will allow the Senate President Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House to adjust per diem rates given to legislative members.