In an effort to fund the estimated $17 million backlog owed to Oklahoma's Nationally Board Certified teachers, Sen. Jim Wilson wants to repeal the sales tax exemption for newspapers and periodicals. Senate Bill 1098, filed Monday, would help create around $17 million in additional revenue according to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, which the Democrat from Tahlequah says could be used to pay back the state's most qualified teachers.

Prior to 1991, the Legislature voted on tuition and fee increases at state colleges and universities. That year, the Legislature decided to give power over tuition decisions to the State Board of Regents but under a strict cap through House Bill 1219. In 2003, however, another measure was passed to give the State Regents full reign over decisions concerning tuition hikes. Since that time, tuition has nearly doubled and mandatory fees have nearly quadrupled, which has some lawmakers like Sen. Jim Wilson wanting to take back control over such decisions.

State Sen. Tom Adelson said Wednesday’s denial of State Insurance Commissioner John Doak’s request for a waiver to a new federal health law is good news for Oklahoma consumers. Adelson, D-Tulsa, also said it was the latest in a series of actions that show the Commission is more interested in protecting the industry than Oklahoma citizens.

“The State Insurance Commission is supposed to regulate the insurance industry and protect Oklahoma consumers. It appears as though their top priority is protecting the industry they’re supposed to regulate,” Adelson said.

Tulsa Republican Sen. Dan Newberry issued the following statement in response to the announcement Wednesday that the Boeing Company planned to close their Wichita defense plant and relocate some of those jobs to Oklahoma.

Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman issued the following statement after Wednesday’s announcement that The Boeing Company would close its Wichita facility and relocate 800 engineering jobs to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma.

“Boeing’s announced relocation of some 800 high-paying jobs to Oklahoma confirms what we already knew; our state has become a magnet for high-profile businesses seeking a pro-jobs climate.

State Sen. Mike Mazzei has contacted Broken Arrow Mayor Mike Lester and members of the City Council to voice his opposition to a casino under construction in the Tulsa suburb. The Kialegee Tribal Town, based in Wetumka, plans to open the casino on leased land that is part of a Creek Nation allotment.

Last Thursday, several hundred Broken Arrow residents protested the casino fearing it will lead to higher crime rates. Mazzei said the development has raised numerous red flags, and called on city leaders to do everything in their power to stop the casino from being completed.

After an emotional debate in the State Senate on Tuesday, members voted to disapprove a plan critics say could cause the deaths of some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens. House Concurrent Resolution 1030, by Rep. Lisa Billy and Sen. Susan Paddack, was an effort to block a Department of Human Services (DHS) proposal the lawmakers said would ultimately force the closure of SORC, the Southern Oklahoma Resource Center, in Pauls Valley.

Senate members of the Joint Appropriations and Budget Committee have approved a $92.5 million supplemental funding bill for education and public safety, including $5,000 bonuses for National Board Certified (NBC) teachers. Senate Appropriations Chair Clark Jolley thanked committee members for their support of the legislation.

Senate Democratic Leader Sean Burrage said funding National Board Certification bonuses for teachers and other critical needs in state government is the right thing to do. His comments followed Tuesday’s vote by Senate members of the Joint Appropriations and Budget Committee in favor of Senate Bill 1959. The $92.5 million funding bill will provide additional dollars needed to meet obligations in a variety of areas, including education and public safety.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City –Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman issued the following statement Monday following TransCanada’s announcement of reapplication for a Presidential Permit application to complete the Keystone XL pipeline project as well as TransCanada’s intent to proceed with construction of a pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma to refineries in the Gulf of Mexico. This section of pipeline is projected to create more than one thousand direct jobs in Oklahoma alone.