House Speaker Loyd Benson and Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor announced late today that both Houses have reached a final agreement that will allow lawmakers to put the finishing touches on the state budget.

Speaker Benson said he was pleased by the agreement.

"Writing a state budget is a huge task at best," he said, "but the hard work has paid off. We have a solid proposal for a balanced budget - a proposal that's good for Oklahoma. Improving the higher education and health care systems is vital to the quality of life of every Oklahoman."

A car tag proposal touted by Governor Keating and House Republican legislators does nothing to reform Oklahoma's flawed excise tax system and therefore is not a reasonable resolution of the ongoing tag debate, according to the author of HB 2663, the tag reform measure vetoed by the Governor.

Senator Jim Maddox has been working to see if a compromise on the tag issue is possible during the final days of the legislative session.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"I think it's insulting to Senator Monson to suggest that she cannot think for herself or make her own decisions. For some reason, the Governor and others seem to believe that she is less of a Senator simply because she is an African American woman. I find that insulting on a number of different levels."

Statement by Senator Angela Monson,
Chairwoman of the Senate Finance Committee

"I think it's offensive for the Governor or anyone else to imply that the Senate leadership is racist when the exact opposite is true. Senator Taylor has appointed two African-American women to leadership positions and has consistently supported issues that are important to minority
communities. His track record on racial issues is impeccable, which is a lot more than I can say for Governor Keating."

Consumer protections, an enhanced competitive environment and school funding safeguards highlight the final version of an electric deregulation bill approved by the State Senate Tuesday. SB 220 by Senator Kevin Easley passed on a 30-18 vote.

The measure would deregulate the electric industry in Oklahoma, encouraging competition among providers in an effort to reduce rates for state consumers.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor, President Pro Tempore

"You know the end of session is near when Governor Keating throws his annual temper tantrum about all of the great ideas of his that haven't been enacted into law yet. What the Governor forgets is the Legislature wasn't elected to rubber stamp every single idea that happens to pop into his head. As Oklahomans have learned from experience, no Governor is always right, especially this one."

Checks should soon be going out to injured workers and Oklahoma businesses under legislation approved by the House and Senate late Wednesday.

SB 1414 by Senator Brad Henry and Representative Mike Ervin will pay off injured workers who are owed money by the former Special Indemnity Fund, in addition to awarding a $30 million premium rebate to customers of the State Insurance Fund and providing for similar rebates in the future.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"This is an important step in the right direction. It sends the signal that the state of Oklahoma will accept nothing less than the best possible treatment for our elderly. Families shouldn't have to worry about the quality of care their loved ones receive, no matter what nursing home is involved."

Oklahoma would ultimately deposit 75 percent of its annual tobacco payments into a special trust fund administered by two panels of private citizens, under a bill given final approval by the State Senate Friday.

HB 2022 by Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor would ask voters to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to establish the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund and guidelines for its administration.

Oklahoma voters will get to decide in August whether they would like to slash the cost of annual car tags. State lawmakers voted Friday to place the question directly on a state ballot, bypassing Governor Keating, who had vetoed two previous car tag reform efforts.