OKLAHOMA CITY - A bill that would enable Oklahomans to hold their HMO's legally responsible for health care decisions has been signed into law by Governor Keating. That's according to the legislation's author, Senator Brad Henry.

Senate Bill 1206 enables members to sue their HMO if it improperly denied them necessary medical treatment ordered by their primary physician or made other health care decisions that were found to be detrimental to them.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor, Senate President Pro Tempore

"It's my hope that we can work out an agreement with Governor Keating that will deliver meaningful tag reform to Oklahoma motorists. Despite all the rhetoric we've heard on this issue, I really don't think we're that far apart."

Oklahomans would already be enjoying low tag prices comparable to those in Virginia if Governor Keating had not vetoed a car tag bill last year in an effort to use the issue in this year's elections, according to a State Senate leader.

Senator Cal Hobson was responding to comments made by Governor Keating and Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore at the State Republican Party Convention in Oklahoma City Saturday.

The State Corporation Commission was simply trying to protect its "political turf," not Oklahoma consumers, when it issued a report citing objections to an electric deregulation bill earlier this week, according to the Senate author of deregulation bill.

A tag reduction bill advocated by Governor Keating and Republican legislators would hit education hardest, delivering an annual cut ranging from $76 million to $84 million to public school budgets, according to a Senate budget leader who is advocating a more responsible tag cut. The Governor and minority party members are pushing a tag bill that would cut $139 million out of the state budget pie, the largest slice of which is reserved for education.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor, Senate President Pro Tempore

Legislation approved by the State Senate Monday would slash the annual tag fees paid by Oklahoma motorists, charging them a flat fee of $15, $45 or $85 depending on the age of their vehicle. If approved by the full Legislature and the Governor, the measure will also give Oklahoma some of the lowest tag and excise fees in the region --lower than Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Colorado.

HB 2663 by Senator Jim Maddox passed the State Senate on a 37-11 vote. It now goes to conference committee where final details will be ironed out.

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma State Senate will vote on a bill Monday that would slash the cost of tags for Oklahoma vehicles. That's according to Senator Jim Maddox, Senate author of HB 2663.

"I've requested a floor vote for this Monday, April 17th on HB 2663. We've been getting great feedback from Oklahomans about this bill. They're anxious for the Governor to sign it into law so they can begin enjoying much cheaper tags," said Senator Maddox.

Governor Frank Keating owes an apology to Senator Penny Williams and the family of the late Cheryl Selman, the longtime legislative liaison of the Tulsa Public Schools who died Tuesday morning of heart failure.

Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor said remarks made by the Governor during an interview on KRMG radio in Tulsa Wednesday morning were "cruel and heartless."

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor, Senate President Pro Tempore

"Majority rule was exercised in the State Senate and the majority decided that it did not want to advance right to work. That's the way it works in a democratic process. I hope this puts to rest all the claims that the majority's will was somehow being thwarted in the State Senate."