Lost for decades, two of the original lighting sconces that once adorned the Senate Gallery have been restored and were installed Thursday just outside the entrance to the Chamber.

Trait Thompson, Project Manager for the restoration of the state Capitol, said it was exciting that nearly a hundred years after they had first been installed in the building, two of the sconces now light the Senate foyer.
read more.

Sen. Corey Brooks has filed legislation to allow the State Regents for Higher Education to review cases for students who apply for the state’s tuition reimbursement program whose families have unique financial situations that make their children ineligible for the program. Senate Bill 137 would update the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP) qualifications to remove disability compensation from being considered when determining financial need and would also direct the State Regents to develop an appeals process for students denied OHLAP.
read more.

Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore-designate Mike Schulz on Thursday announced the members of his leadership staff. These individuals serve the office of the President Pro Tempore and the members of the Majority Caucus.

Ashley Kehl will serve as chief of staff, replacing Jonathan Nichols who is leaving the Pro Tempore’s office after four years in that position to pursue another opportunity.

Senate President Pro Tempore-designate Mike Schulz on Wednesday announced committee assignments for Republican members of the Oklahoma State Senate.

Republicans hold 42 seats in the 48-seat Senate, the largest majority held by either party since 1965, when the Senate went from 44 seats to 48.

Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore-designate Mike Schulz on Thursday announced his appointment of Sen. AJ Griffin as chair of the Senate Rural Caucus.
The Rural Caucus chair is a member of Senate Leadership. Sen. Ron Justice, who left the Senate in 2016 due to term limits, served as chair of the Rural Caucus for 12 years.

Sen. AJ Griffin, R-Guthrie, issued the following statement Tuesday on statutory language she authored aimed at helping provide information to Oklahoma women on a range of public and private sector services available as an alternative to abortion and to improve the health and well-being of unborn and newborn babies. That information would be compiled by the State Department of Health and made available through its website, with notification of that information and website link posted in public restrooms.

Sen. AJ Griffin has filed legislation modifying how the State Department of Health will go about providing information on pre/postnatal services available through both public and private agencies. The Health Department will still be in charge of making that information available on its website, however, new language contained in Senate Bill 30 calls for the agency to publicize that information through social media rather than placing signs in most public restrooms.
read more.

Senate Democratic Leader John Sparks on Monday said committee assignments for members of his caucus had been finalized. Each member will serve on multiple committees as well as serving on the Senate Appropriations Committee during the 2017 and 2018 legislative sessions.

When someone is diagnosed with diabetes, their life can change drastically. Those changes can be stressful, isolating, frightening and expensive. Its something Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, and Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, know about firsthand. Thompson currently serves as chair of the Legislatures Diabetes Caucus and Simpson serves as vice-chair. It was something both men wanted to do because of what their families have gone through after loved ones were diagnosed with diabetes
read more.

Outgoing Senate Finance Chairman Mike Mazzei addressed the Incentive Evaluation Commission Thursday in support of a report that examined the cost versus benefits of the state’s Zero Emission Facility tax credit. The PFM consulting group determined the cost significantly exceeds the benefits of the program, and recommends that the credit termination date should be accelerated.