Oklahoma's public school children will ultimately pay the price for Governor Keating's decision to authorize the leasing of more private prisons beds, according to a state legislator.

Senator Frank Shurden is taking exception to last week's action by the Governor that allowed the Department of Corrections to exceed its current budget by at least $8 million and rent more private space without legislative approval.

Senator Taylor Comments on GOP Decision to Block TIS Repeal

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor, President Pro Tempore:

"Criminals across the state should be drinking a toast to the Republican lawmakers who voted to block the repeal of truth-in-sentencing."

OKLAHOMA CITY - Senate leaders are questioning the numbers released by Governor Keating today showing that a proposed Truth In Sentencing plan would cost $386 million dollars less previously reported. The new numbers the governor cited were prepared by a group called the Joint Center for Justice Studies.

Senator Mike Morgan is attempting to deliver a pay raise to education employees who were inadvertently omitted from a salary increase bill passed in the final day of the legislative session. The Stillwater legislator plans to introduce corrective legislation when the Legislature returns in special session on June 14th.

The technology needs of common education and vocational-technical education should be included in the ongoing discussions about a multi-million dollar capital improvements bond issue for higher education, according to three State Senators.

The talks to date have focused solely on the capital needs of higher education, but Senator Cal Hobson, Senator Penny Williams and Senator Ben Robinson want the negotiations expanded to include the other two branches of education.

Senator Jerry Smith has joined other State and Federal Lawmakers in condemning the American Psychological Association for publishing a study which claimed that sexual relations between an adult and child might not be as harmful as traditionally believed, and could produce positive benefits for "willing" children.

"Given everything we know about the long term emotional devastation that these children suffer, I am shocked that the APA would publish such a study," said Senator Smith, R-Tulsa.

Issues ranging from education reform to so-called puppy mills will be the topics of a series of interim studies conducted by the Oklahoma Senate in the coming months.

Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor announced the approval of the interim studies today, saying the special committee work will help lawmakers prepare for the 2000 legislative session.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor, President Pro Tempore:

Senator Taylor Comments on Nichols' Trial Request

"I obviously want to be sensitive to the concerns of members of the Oklahoma County delegation and their constituents. They've raised a serious issue and their request deserves consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma Education Association needs to get a new calculator and explain the facts regarding education funding in Oklahoma. That's according to Senate Minority Whip Carol Martin. Her comments came after the OEA criticized the legislative leadership from both parties.

State employees and their families are the big losers in a fight over Governor Keating's first veto of the legislative session, according to the Senate author of SB 323. The Governor vetoed that bill earlier this month and Senate Republicans successfully voted to sustain the veto on Wednesday.

"The Governor who vetoed this bill and the people who voted to sustain that veto turned their backs on state employees and their families. We were trying to extend a helping hand to them in their time of need, but the Governor and his supporters slapped it away," said Senator Paul Muegge.