Oklahoma's school districts can redirect more funding to teachers and classrooms by streamlining and consolidating administrative costs, offering parents more choices for their children and eliminating waste, said Sen. Kyle Loveless.
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Following the swearing-in of new and returning Senators on Tuesday, Senate Republicans met in caucus to elect their leadership team for the 55th Oklahoma Legislature. Without opposition, Sen. Brian Bingman was reelected as President Pro Tempore-Nominee of the Senate. Bingman also announced that Sen. Mike Schulz will continue to serve as Majority Floor Leader for the 55th Legislature. Majority Caucus Chair Bryce Marlatt and Majority Caucus Vice Chair A.J. read more.

A group of 35 state legislators released an open letter Thursday voicing concerns about the possibility that many tax relief measures passed in Oklahoma over the past decade could be overturned, should the state Supreme Court rule that tax reductions must meet the guidelines of State Question 640.
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Sen. Brian Crain is promoting legislation for the 2015 session to secure critically needed additional education funding in Oklahoma by creating separate trusts for higher and common education through two 30-year, $2.5 billion bond issues.

The innovative solution to Oklahoma's efforts to secure permanent additional education funding would raise money over 30 years to create the trusts, which would provide money for education in addition to standard appropriations.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman said Monday that the reinstatement of Oklahomas No Child Left Behind waiver ensures the states education reform efforts will continue. "With the federal governments politics now out of the way, Oklahoma can take the next step and develop high standards that prepare our students to compete in the new global economy. Todays schools house the next generation of Oklahomas workforce. As a result, the academic standards we develop will directly impact our job market and economy for years to come. read more.

Sen. Josh Brecheen, R-Colgate, today issued the following statement in response to a ruling of the Supreme Court against Oklahoma’s ban on same-sex marriage.

“The voices of Oklahoma citizens have once again been ignored today by federal judges. Oklahoma voters made their beliefs very clear in 2004 when they overwhelmingly voted against legalizing gay marriage. The majority of us as Oklahomans believe in the traditional definition of marriage, which is between one man and one woman, and that strong belief should be honored.

President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman today issued the following statement on the passing of former Senator Jack Short. Short, a Republican, represented District 46 in the Oklahoma Senate from 1966 to 1970, and subsequently had a lengthy career as an attorney.

“On behalf of the Senate, I would like to offer our condolences to the family of Jack Short,” said Bingman, R-Sapulpa. “He served his state and his clients well over the course of a long and distinguished career, and his work will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

State Sen. John Ford said Thursday that Oklahoma should consider replacing the current End of Instruction tests for high school graduation with the ACT. Thats after the State Regents for Higher Education voted to approve Oklahomas Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS) as being college and career ready based on alignment to ACT college and career ready standards.

The Senate Finance Committee held an interim study examining state tax incentives for wind power on Tuesday at the State Capitol. Finance Chair Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, and Sen. John Ford, R-Bartlesville, who presided over the hearing, issued the following statements after the meeting was adjourned.

Starting this Saturday, two new laws go into effect that Sen. David Holt believes will promote greater government transparency for Oklahoma citizens. Holt, R-Oklahoma City, was Senate author of those measures as well another new law taking effect Saturday intended to combat Oklahoma’s domestic violence crisis.
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