The Senate General Conference Committee on Appropriations has given approval to Senate Bill 1230, a measure Senate author Mike Mazzei said would result in meaningful income tax reductions that would stimulate the economy while truly protecting core services such as education, public safety, health care and transportation. The plan would reduce the top income tax rate to 5 percent in 2013 and 4.75 percent in 2014.
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Sen. Sean Burrage, D-Claremore, released the following statement Wednesday after the Senate Rules Committee refused to consider Gov. Mary Fallin’s nomination of former State Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth to serve on the State Election Board.

Hundreds of breast cancer survivors and patients along with their friends and families and other Oklahomans interested in learning about the disease gathered at the State Capitol Tuesday for the 4th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre and Rep. Tommy Hardin co-chaired the educational event.

Being a five-year breast cancer survivor, Eason McIntyre knows the importance of early detection, which is why she has hosted the event ever since finding out she had breast cancer in 2006.
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State Sen. Clark Jolley said news that the cooler had broken down at the state medical examiner’s office was just one of many examples of why it was crucial to move forward with plans to construct a new facility. The breakdown meant having to transfer 28 bodies to two refrigerated trucks.
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The Senate unveiled the latest artwork commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Preservation Fund Wednesday. The portrait of oil entrepreneur and Phillips Petroleum Company founder, Frank Phillips, was painted by renowned Oklahoma artist Wayne Cooper and sponsored by Sen. John Ford, Rep. Earl Sears, Rep. Steve Martin, ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66.

Before serving in the Senate, Sen. Ford had a 34-year career with the Phillips Petroleum Company so he was pleased to honor its founder.
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The Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus issued the following statement today regarding the Senate’s refusal to hear the nomination of Jim Roth to the State Election Board.

“We are disheartened by the Senate Rules Committee’s refusal to allow Gov. Mary Fallin’s nomination of Jim Roth to the State Election Board to be heard in committee. Committee Chair Sen. Rob Johnson’s statements that he did not have the votes to pass the nomination are insufficient to address his refusal to even give Mr. Roth a chance to receive an up or down vote.

Senate Republicans gathered Wednesday to demand a vote on an income tax cut agreement previously reached between Governor Fallin, Speaker Steele, and President Pro Tem Bingman. The agreement, announced on May 17th, was used in the final crafting of House Bill 3061. Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman, flanked by the entire Senate Republican caucus, condemned House Republicans for backing out of a deal reached in good faith.
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State Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa, issued the following statement Thursday:

“The budget agreement reached by both chambers called for using growth revenue to offset some of the revenues that would be returned to our citizens through a state income tax cut. At this point, with the 5 pm Friday deadline approaching, it seems doubtful we’ll see a tax cut this session. I understand that would leave about $25 million on the table. I believe the best use of those funds would be to put those dollars into education.

The Senate today approved a proposal that would prevent the use of foreign law in Oklahoma courts. The conference committee report for Senate Bill 671 states that courts shall not enforce or utilize foreign law if doing so would provide a defense or justification for a crime.

Sen. Dan Newberry, author of the measure, said those who value and wish to protect our system of law should be pleased by the bill’s passage.
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President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, issued the following statement after the Governor’s announcement Thursday afternoon:

"Governor Fallin deserves a tremendous amount of credit for her dedication, tenacity and leadership on the most important issues facing Oklahoma this legislative session. We have accomplished much together that frankly wouldn't have been possible this year without the Governor leading the way.