About 300 to 400 Oklahoma children in state custody age out each year when they turn 18many are unprepared for this sudden transition. On Thursday the Senate Health and Human Services Committee held the first of two hearings examining how rules and procedures impact children in state custody, as well as looking at the issue of homeless teens in Oklahoma.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman released the following statement upon the conclusion of the special session on Monday:

“Oklahoma has economic momentum right now that must continue. Our economy is growing, our unemployment rate is among the lowest in the nation and businesses are taking note. This special session was needed to end the legal chaos created by the June Supreme Court ruling, striking down critical lawsuit reform passed in 2009.

Sen. Jabar Shumate and Rep. Kevin Matthews, Vice Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, issued the following statements concerning Friday’s announcement that Insure Oklahoma has received a one-year extension from the federal government.

Senate Democratic Leader Sean Burrage issued the following comments in response to Gov. Mary Fallin’s announcement that Insure Oklahoma would receive a one year extension from the federal government.

“We are pleased and relieved to see that tens of thousands of hard-working Oklahomans won’t be forced to lose their health insurance at the end of this year.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman issued the following statement Thursday in response to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) filing an overall workers compensation premium level decrease for the state, as a result of the Legislature’s approval of comprehensive workers’ compensation reforms this year.

Senator Tom Ivester, D-Sayre, issued the following comments at the close of the second day of the legislature’s special session to readdress tort reform:

For the first time since World War II, Oklahomans will be able to take advantage of their first true “Black Friday” sales. Senate Bill 550, by Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Tom Newell, R-Seminole, was signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin during the 2013 legislative session, and takes effect on November 1. Under existing state law, retailers were not allowed to offer the same sale prices as in other states.

Sen. Connie Johnson will join the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (OK-CADP) on a tour of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary Death Row, Execution Chamber and Burial Grounds next week. The tour follows the group’s recent meeting with the governor to try to persuade her to issue an Executive Order to study and examine the costs and use of the death penalty in Oklahoma.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman released the following statement in response to Senate Minority Leader Sean Burrage announcing he will not be seeking re-election next year.

I consider Sean not only a colleague but a personal friend and have enjoyed working with him in our leadership roles in the Senate in recent years. Sean is the utmost professional and has represented his district and his caucus with dignity and strength and will be missed in the Senate.

Senate Democratic Leader Sean Burrage announced today that he has decided not to seek another term in the Oklahoma State Senate. Although the Claremore Democrat would not have been term limited until 2018, Burrage said it was time to refocus his attention on his family and his legal career.