Sen. Dan Newberry today said the Obama administration’s decision to deny the state’s request to extend funding for the Insure Oklahoma program, unless Oklahoma institutes the Obamacare exchanges, will force many thousands of Oklahoma’s neediest and most vulnerable off their health insurance plans.

Newberry said the administration’s denial of funding effectively holds the state hostage in its efforts to provide insurance access to low-income Oklahomans. read more.

In the past two years, three Oklahoma families sent loved ones to a substance abuse program at Narconon Arrowhead with the hopes of recovery. Instead, those families wound up planning funerals. Sen. Tom Ivester responded by filing legislation ensuring the state would have oversight of facilities operated by Narconon, known to have close ties to the Church of Scientology. Senate Bill 295, by Ivester and Rep. David Derby, was signed by Gov. Mary Fallin this past week.
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After receiving unanimous approval from both the House and Senate, a bill to keep sex offenders from being employed in public schools was signed into law Monday. Senate Bill 283, by Sen. Josh Brecheen and Rep. Todd Thomsen, will require that the State Board of Education be alerted when a school employee is charged with a sex offense.
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Pending final passage, an additional judge will be elected by the voters of Cleveland, Garvin and McClain counties during the next election cycle. State Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and State Rep. Scott Martin, R-Norman, Chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, announced their agreement Tuesday.

“I am happy that the people will be making the decision,” Sykes said. “The prior versions that contained the effective date of January 12, 2015 were unacceptable.”
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The Oklahoma state Senate passed Tuesday the Fiscal Year 2014 General Appropriations Budget to fund state government operations. HB 2301 passed the Senate by a vote of 28-20.

HB 2301 is a fiscally conservative budget plan for Fiscal Year 2014, including targeted increases in resources for teaching in the classroom, child welfare, and the maintenance of state-owned assets. Most state agencies will not see an increase in spending under HB 2301. In total, the General Appropriations Budget includes approximately $7.1 billion.
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A measure to keep the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) in federal compliance, protect Oklahoma’s federal funding and help the agency fund numerous projects was signed into law Monday. Sen. Don Barrington, author of Senate Bill 652, said the bill will help improve services provided by the agency.
“This is an important bill that addresses several issues within the state Department of Public Safety including keeping the agency in federal compliance and providing it with much-needed funding,” said Barrington, R-Lawton.
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With lake season quickly approaching, Gov. Fallin signed legislation Monday to ensure eligibility for boat rental businesses to operate in state parks. Sen. Bill Brown, author of Senate Bill 374, said the measure will protect legitimate, rule-abiding businesses.
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Senate Democratic Leader, Sean Burrage, Claremore:

“This budget bill is just another example of our legislature lacking the political courage to tell Oklahomans exactly how and where we are spending their money.

Sen. John Sparks, D-Norman, issued a statement following Tuesday’s announcement from Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, unveiling an agreement for creating an additional judgeship for the voters of Cleveland, Garvin and McClain counties:

Gov. Mary Fallin has signed legislation that would prohibit the use of welfare cash cards in strip clubs, liquor stores, and casinos. Authored by Sen. Rob Standridge, Senate Bill 667 would help ensure public assistance is ultimately being used to support families and children who need it most.
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