Oklahoma business should be in line for another reduction in workers compensation rates when state regulators conduct their annual rate review next month, according to a state legislator who authored workers comp reform legislation this year.

Senator Brad Henry noted that the latest workers comp statistics indicate that costs are continuing to decline in Oklahoma, a fact also acknowledged by insurance industry representatives.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Hoping to further advance the message of the plight of the family farmer in America, the Organization For Competitive Markets is set to meet in Kansas City next week, according to Senator Paul Muegge, D- Tonkawa.

The OCM is the product of a grass roots effort to assemble those who are dedicated to the independent production of agriculture, including farmers, ranchers, attorneys, legislators and others who are connected to the farming industry.

OKLAHOMA CITY -State Senator Angela Monson has been unanimously elected to serve as the next vice-president of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Monson was
chosen for the post during this week's meeting of the NCSL in Chicago.

Senator Monson's election marks the first time a black woman will serve as NCSL vice-president, and the first time an Oklahoma legislator has been tapped for the post. It also means that Senator Monson will automatically become President of NCSL in two years.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Senator Paul Muegge is urging state officials to take a close look at a recent agreement on hog farms and the environment reached by government and industry officials in North Carolina.

"We have a critical balance to maintain. On the one hand we want to promote economic development and job creation, but at the same time we've got to protect our air and water," said Senator Muegge, D-Tonkawa.

OKLAHOMA CITY -Members of the Senate Republican Caucus have elected their new officers for the 48th Legislature. The members of the caucus selected Senator Jim Dunlap, R-Bartlesville to the office of Senate Minority Leader. Senator James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa will serve as Assistant Minority Leader. Senator Scott Pruitt, R-Broken Arrow is the incoming Minority Whip while Senator Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City will serve as Caucus Chair.

Tourism in Oklahoma is set to get a big boost, thanks to landmark legislation passed this year under the guidance of Senator Jeff Rabon, D-Hugo and Randall Erwin, D- Nashoba.

The booming trend in tourism is evident in recent statistics. In 1998 alone, domestic travel spending in Oklahoma topped $3.6 billion, bypassing 1997 by almost 4 percent. That extra spending generated 67,000 jobs in 1998 and those employees earned more than $1.3 billion in wages and salary.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Racial profiling is now officially illegal in Oklahoma. That's the word from Senator Maxine Horner, the author of legislation that makes targeting individuals based on their race or ethnic background illegal for law enforcement officers.

Senate Bill 1444 was signed into law this week and marks a change in the way racial profiling complaints are handled.

Oklahoma has always had a policy prohibiting such profiling, but this legislation makes the practice illegal.

State Senator Penny Williams is urging the State Regents for Higher Education to allocate an additional $2.84 million to OSU-Tulsa - the total of surplus funds the State Regents received thanks to an eleventh hour, line-item gubernatorial veto.

"OSU-Tulsa is already being forced to dip into its reserve funds just to fulfill its new responsibilities in the Tulsa community. The money won't address every need at OSU-Tulsa, but it would be a step in the right direction," said Senator Williams.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"If any blame should be assessed, it should be against Governor Keating. As chief executive of the state of Oklahoma, he controls the executive branch that directly oversees state agencies like the Health Department. The Governor, not the Legislature, appoints the board that is in charge of
running the department."

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"I think we owe it to taxpayers to conclude the Governor's special session as quickly as possibly, preferably in just a single day. We're ready to go in, address the issues that can be resolved and move on."

"The only thing certain about tags at this point is that there is an election scheduled for August 22nd for voters to decide the issue. On workers comp, the Governor and legislative leaders have agreed to appoint a working group of legislators to discuss the issue."