Governor Keating has launched yet another assault on education, this time with the endorsement of a massive tax cut initiative that would gut the state budget resources of public schools and other programs, according to a State Senate budget leader.

"When Governor Keating says he wants to cut taxes, what he's really saying is he wants to cut education because it's the biggest beneficiary of state revenue," said Senator Cal Hobson, vice-chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Statistics compiled by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission indicate Southwestern Bell has made and will continue to make ample earnings to justify a significant investment in public school technology, according to a Senate leader who is pushing for commissioners to secure such an investment.

The State Senate filed an appeal with the Oklahoma Supreme Court today, attempting to overturn a recent workers compensation rate hike on Oklahoma businesses. The action seeks a new hearing on a 5 percent rate increase ordered by the State Board for Property and Casualty Rates in September.

Three Senators who have argued for a rate cut in recent months -- Bruce Price, Brad Henry and Penny Williams -- explained the Senate lawsuit.

A Senate budget leader is urging the three members of the State Corporation Commission not to sell Oklahoma schools short when they reach a final regulatory settlement with Southwestern Bell.

In a letter to Commissioners Denise Bode, Bob Anthony and Ed Apple, Senator Cal Hobson cited growing public support for a proposal that would make common education technology a top priority in any cash settlement with the telephone company.

If Southwestern Bell and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission reach an agreement on a new rate review process, the pact should include funding for technology needs in the Oklahoma public schools, according to the lawmaker who helps write the budget for common education.

Governor Keating's latest push to privatize another function of state government should be approached with caution, according to two state legislators who say there is no evidence that such an "experiment" will save any money.

One of Governor Keating's cabinet secretaries is violating both the spirit and the letter of a new state law in his zeal to hasten the downsizing of Eastern State Hospital in Vinita, according to a state legislator who is currently exploring options to stop the action.

Governor Frank Keating should apply the same compassionate conservatism he reserves for presidential hopeful George Bush Jr. in the state of Oklahoma, according to a veteran state legislator.

Senator Frank Shurden noted that the Governor's recent comments regarding Bush and whether he had used cocaine are "quite liberal" when compared to the policies he has pursued in Oklahoma.

As schools across the state resume classes this month, many parents are feeling their budgets buckle under the need for new clothes and shoes for their children, but they may get a break on such expenses next fall if a bill authored by Senator Jeff Rabon, D-Hugo is passed in the next legislative session.

The Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Education Subcommittee says there's a lot more positive information in the latest
round of ACT scores than some state officials have acknowledged.

Oklahoma high school graduates scored an average 20.6 out of a possible 36. That's after scores had fallen slightly last year to 20.5. The national composite on the exams testing skills in the areas of English, math and science is 21.