With the Legislature not having approved a general pay increase for state employees since 2006, Sen. Ralph Shortey and Rep. Leslie Osborn on Friday called upon the governor and legislative leaders to make state employees a priority and give them a raise.
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In an effort to raise awareness and educate Oklahomans about the importance of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, State Senators Patrick Anderson, R-Enid, and John Sparks, D-Norman, support building a Bill of Rights monument on the grounds of the state Capitol. The lawmakers held a press conference on Tuesday, which was Bill of Rights Day, to discuss the proposal. The effort is part of a nationwide push to create similar monuments in all 50 states.

Sen. Kyle D. Loveless (R-Oklahoma City) Tuesday released the following statement commemorating the 224th anniversary of the adoption of the Bill of Rights:

“The Bill of Rights lays the foundation of our government and guarantees certain rights to our citizens. Of these are our religious liberty, the right to bear arms, and the right to be secure in one’s life, liberty and property.

Sen. Kyle D. Loveless (R-Oklahoma City) on Thursday filed Senate Bill 915, an act to prohibit state funding for Project Relate (The Oklahoma Marriage Initiative).
“I believe strong marriages are the backbone of strong families, but I don’t think the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative makes sense. The data just doesn’t back up their claim of helping Oklahoma families,” said Loveless.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman released the following statement after today’s meeting of the State Board of Equalization.

Sen. Kyle D. Loveless (R-Oklahoma City) released the following statement today regarding the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum.

“I am pleased the committee appointed by Oklahoma City Mayor Cornett today heard the consultant’s report on this project and it now heads to the full City Council. This proposed plan exemplifies the Oklahoma Standard. City, county, state and tribal governments have all joined together to showcase our unique history and shared culture by moving forward with this Smithsonian-style museum.

Every year during the month of October, staff and members of the Oklahoma State Senate plan and participate in a series of competitions and events with the goal of raising money for charities throughout the state of Oklahoma. Its part of the United Ways annual State Charitable Campaign (SCC). Last year, the Senate raised $10,500. This year, senators and staff raised $13,477.

One in three Americans will develop diabetes during their lifetime. One in three Oklahomans already has diabetes or pre-diabetes.The state is ranked third in the nation for the highest death rate from diabetes.

Oklahomans are losing their vision, losing limbs and dying from diabetes in shockingly high numbers, but in many cases, the disease can be controlled and even prevented with proper diet and exercise, said Senator Susan Paddack, D-Ada. It is an epidemic, but it is within our power to do something about it.

A new study shows Oklahoma is part of a national trend that shows fewer youthful offenders being incarcerated. According to new numbers from the office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), between 1997 and 2013 Oklahoma’s juvenile incarceration rate decreased between 40 and 49 percent.
“That’s a significant improvement for our state, but that same study shows despite that change, we need to do a better job of getting youthful offenders on the right track, staying crime free, doing well in school and ultimately getting jobs,” said Sen. AJ Griffin, R-Guthrie. read more.

“Recent events across the nation should serve as a wake-up call. The student backlash at the University of Missouri over equality and inclusion and the Yale University incident concerning the “white girls only” invitation to the SAE function are unfortunate reminders that racism is still very much alive in our nation and on many college campuses. read more.