In a move not announced until Wednesday afternoon, Wes Lane, Chairman of the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services has placed a vote on the November 1 Commission agenda to close both the Northern Oklahoma Resource Center and the Southern Oklahoma Resource Center.
Sen. Patrick Anderson today said the result of the vote would be to force the state’s most vulnerable and severely disabled citizens out on the streets.
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Oklahomans interested in following legislative action in the State Senate will soon be able to access streaming video from all committee rooms. The Senate has offered streaming video from the chamber, rooms 419-C and 511-A for several years—now that service is being expanded to 534, 419-A and 419-B, making it possible to view all committee meetings. In addition, video monitors are being installed in those meeting rooms to show votes as they occur and enable those to be available online in real time.
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Senator David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, announced that he would file legislation for the 2013 session that will empower parents to force positive changes in chronically low-performing schools. This so-called “parent trigger” law is depicted in “Won’t Back Down” - a major motion picture opening this Friday, September 28th.

Sen. Patrick Anderson has filed a formal objection in the Supreme Court of Oklahoma in an effort stop the issuance of $25 million in state debt. The funds are being sought for the purpose of raising the level of the Zink Dam, which is owned by the City of Tulsa, to develop a park area along the Arkansas River in Tulsa.
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State Sen. Patrick Anderson has received the “Distinguished Service Award” from the Oklahoma Association of Career Tech Educators (ACTE). Anderson, R-Enid, was honored by the organization at a luncheon in Oklahoma City on Thursday.
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Of the more than 93,000 acres destroyed in Oklahoma wildfires, nearly 60,000 acres were in Creek County. According to the Department of Agriculture Forestry Services it is one of the largest fires in the history of the state. Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman represents Creek County in the State Senate, while Rep. Skye McNiel represents the area in the House.
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Sen. Tom Ivester said he will work with officials at Oklahomas Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to author legislation aimed at regulating questionable practices of a drug treatment program with close ties to the Church of Scientology.

Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus Chair, State Senator Constance N. Johnson (D - Oklahoma County) and member, Representative-Elect Kevin L. Matthews (D-Tulsa), issued a statement today welcoming Rev. Jesse Jackson of the Rainbow Push Coalition to Stillwater, Oklahoma.
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Sen. Patrick Anderson has filed a court action seeking a judicial determination that the issuance of $25 million of state bonds is unconstitutional.
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Oklahomans interested in following the work of Senate interim studies underway this fall now have easier access to materials provided during hearings. Lists of speakers, power-point presentations and other materials can be found on the State Senate website. Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman said placing these additional materials on the Internet makes it easier for more citizens to follow interim studies.
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