This week, Senate Bill 826, a bill to reform binding arbitration, was not heard in the House before the deadline to hear Senate bills. The bill could be considered in the House in the 2012 session. Principal author of the measure, Senator David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, made the following remarks.

"I want to thank Representative Scott Martin for his incredible leadership, and Speaker Kris Steele, for supporting Representative Martin and this important bill every step of the way.

"On behalf of every member of the Senate Democratic Caucus, I strongly condemn the reprehensible racist and sexist comments made by Rep. Sally Kern yesterday on the floor of the House of Representatives. Such immoral beliefs have no place in a civilized society. I am shocked that a member of the legislature would show such disrespect and mean-spiritedness by expressing such antiquated and bigoted views.

Members of the Legislative Black Caucus said they were shocked by racist and sexist comments made Wednesday evening by State Rep. Sally Kern. Kern, R-Oklahoma City, debating in favor of a joint resolution that could end affirmative action guidelines for state entities.

Caucus Chair Constance N. Johnson, a Democrat representing Oklahoma County, said she was stunned by media reports that Kern had said minorities and women earn less because they don’t work as hard.

Hundreds of Oklahomans from around the state will be at the State Capitol May 3 for the third annual “Breast Cancer Awareness Day at the Capitol”. The free event is open to the public and helps raise awareness about the disease and it’s affects on the state’s population as well as provide educational tools to victims and their families.

The Co-Chairs of the educational event are breast cancer survivor, State Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre and Breast Impressions’ founder, Judi Grove.
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The State Senate unanimously approved legislation Monday amending the Public Competitive Act of 1974. Senate Bill 127, by Sen. Jerry Ellis, strengthens the Act by providing penalties for those who do not use competitive bidding on public projects.

The full Senate has approved a measure to name the southbound I-44 bridge over the Red River in honor of President George W. Bush. Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, is principal author of Senate Bill 304, which was approved on a bipartisan vote of 40-5 on Tuesday. The vote came on the same day as the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum announced the President, his wife and daughters will be honored this April with the 2011 Reflections of Hope Award.

The State Senate has given unanimous approval to a measure moving Oklahoma’s presidential primary from February back to March. Sen. David Holt (R-Oklahoma City) is author of the measure which was approved on Tuesday. Holt said Senate Bill 808 ensures Oklahoma will not be excluded from the 2012 political conventions.

The state Senate on Tuesday approved legislation that would require the display of the ‘Honor and Remember Flag’ at the state Capitol to commemorate the sacrifice of fallen soldiers.

Senate Bill 395, authored by Sen. Bill Brown, would require the display of the flag on the south steps of the state Capitol, underneath the United States flag, upon the combat death of an Oklahoma soldier.

The Senate dedicated a portrait Tuesday afternoon of Oklahoma-native Admiral Joseph James “Jocko” Clark. The portrait, commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund and sponsored by Sen. and Mrs. Cliff Branan, was painted by world-renowned artist and Oklahoma City resident Mike Wimmer.
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The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday approved a proposal intended to broaden the number of private school scholarships awarded to children from low-income households.

Sen. Dan Newberry, author of Senate Bill 969, said the proposal would establish a tax credit to incentivize greater contributions to scholarship funds.