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Oklahoma Senate
On Monday, the Senate added two more paintings to its diverse collection of artwork depicting famous Oklahomans and special events in the state’s history. The newest additions depict two of Oklahoma’s most famous Wild West Show personalities, Gordon “Pawnee Bill” Lillie and Lucille Mulhall.
The portraits, by Tulsa artist Tracey Harris, were sponsored by Bob Funk and commissioned by the State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc.
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Legislation to target meth manufacturers without limiting consumer access to medicines has been approved by the Senate. House Bill 2941, authored by Rep. David Derby and Sen. Rick Brinkley, was approved Tuesday by a vote of 46-1.
Brinkley said the proposal is a way to fight meth addiction in Oklahoma without burdening law-abiding citizens by forcing them to get a prescription for safe, effective cold and allergy relief like Claritin or Advil Cold and Sinus.
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“Oklahoma does not have enough revenues to even begin to meet critical needs in education, health, public safety, transportation and other services our citizens depend upon. House Bill 3038 will further erode those resources. We’re 48th in the nation in the health of our citizens. If this becomes law, we’ll soon be 50th. We’re close to last when it comes to teacher pay and per pupil spending. We’ll soon be dead last in those categories, too. Supporters claim we’re going to see businesses and people flock to Oklahoma if we end the income tax. read more.
The Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus hosted Rev. Jesse Jackson at a press conference at the State Capitol Wednesday. Members discussed inequality in the state of Oklahoma and the impact on minority groups of policy issues such as the open carry proposal and the Stand Your Ground law as they relate to recent killings in Tulsa; assaults on women’s reproductive health rights; the lack of inclusion and diversity on state agencies, boards and commissions; and the exploitation of African American college student athletes by universities and low graduation rates, among other issues.
read more.Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman today released the following statement on the passage of House Bill 2155, the Oklahoma Option.
read more.State Sen. John Ford said he is gratified that Oklahoma is continuing to pursue ways to further ensure the integrity of the state’s election process. Ford, who represents Washington, Nowata and northern Rogers counties, was the author of a state question requiring voters to provide identification when casting their ballots. The proposed law was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2010.
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A measure to better protect youth from human trafficking was signed into law earlier this week. House Bill 2518, by Rep. Sally Kern and Sen. Josh Brecheen, strengthens Oklahoma’s human trafficking laws in the hopes of deterring the industry in the state.
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“There seems to be an irrational political pressure to further erode Oklahoma’s tax base when we have no way to even begin to address all of the needs and obligations we’re currently facing. Reality doesn’t seem to figure into this discussion at all.”—Sen. Sean Burrage, D-Claremore
“We don’t have enough money to pay the bills as it is, and unless natural gas prices start improving, we could find ourselves facing another revenue shortfall in the months ahead. It is beyond irresponsible to still be discussing further cuts in taxes at this point in time.”—Sen. Tom Ivester, D-Sayre
read more.The Governor signed legislation Tuesday to help ensure that blind and deaf students around the state have access to information about available programs that could improve their education. Senate Bill 1119, by Sen. Earl Garrison, would require school districts to provide parents of students with auditory or visual impairments with written information about programs offered by the Oklahoma School for the Blind and the Oklahoma School for the Deaf for which the students might be eligible.
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The Senate today approved legislation intended to reduce unemployment benefit fraud.
Sen. Dan Newberry, Senate author of House Bill 2204, said the bill provides reforms to deter fraud and encourage unemployed workers to actively seek job opportunities.
“Unemployment benefits are intended to provide assistance to those who lose a job, as they transition to new opportunities,” said Newberry, R-Tulsa. “But we must be careful that these benefits do not provide a disincentive to work. This measure helps us strike a better balance between these two concerns.”
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