A new national study that gave Oklahoma high marks for teacher quality while raising concerns about the low pay of public school instructors should send a clear message to state policy makers, according to the leader of the Oklahoma State Senate.

The message, according to Senator Stratton Taylor, is that Oklahoma needs to raise teacher pay this year.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Roadside dumping has increasingly become an unsightly problem in Oklahoma, but if a bill authored by Senator Frank Shurden, D-Henryetta is successful this legislative session, relief may soon be on the way.

"Roadside dumping is a widespread problem in the rural areas of Oklahoma," said Senator Shurden. "Although it's illegal for people to leave garbage anywhere except where the state officially permits it, many people leave their trash on the side of the road because they choose not to make the effort to take their trash to a legal dump."

OKLAHOMA CITY - Senator Carol Martin is proposing legislation to share costs for education administration, resulting in more dollars for the classroom.

"It seems clear to me when only 58 percent of the FY 98 common education funding actually went for instruction, we should take a look at what we can do to get more money into our classrooms," said Martin, R-Comanche.

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education recently got a chance to hear some of Senator Martin's ideas on how to do just that.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor
Senate President Pro Tempore

"The numbers are encouraging. We have a lot of commitments to meet, but I think there's still room to address some pressing needs, namely teacher pay. I know a lot of other interests will be competing for the new revenue, but I think teachers deserve to be at the top of the priority list. My goal is to make sure our teachers receive a significant pay hike this year."

If State Senator Jeff Rabon gets his way, Oklahoma public school students will soon be observing a moment of silence in their classroom each day.

The Hugo legislator has filed a bill that would require public school administrators to set aside a minute of silence each day for prayer, meditation or reflection. He is currently working with Attorney General Drew Edmondson to review the bill's language to make sure it passes legal muster.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"Just like all Oklahomans, I'm very concerned about the jobs our state is losing because of the Phillips-Conoco merger. If there is anything that we can do to prevent those job losses or lessen the economic impact of them, I am certainly interested in pursuing it."

-- Says reform more critical than ever in light of Phillips Petroleum's relocation

OKLAHOMA CITY-State Senator Glenn Coffee today urged the Democrat legislative leaders to reconvene the current special session to address the repeal of Oklahoma's income tax. The Oklahoma City legislator likened the announced relocation of Phillips Petroleum to that of Fleming Foods when they moved their headquarters from Oklahoma City in 1999.

Oklahoma City - The State Health Department has given final approval to new regulations for non-emergency medical transportation companies. That's after State Senator Jim Reynolds had authored legislation calling for the agency to clear the way for these companies to operate legally.

(Oklahoma City) Legislative leaders have created a special committee charged with improving health benefits for Oklahoma public school teachers and their families.

Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor and House Speaker Larry Adair announced appointments to the panel today, saying they are hopeful that the group will be able to find a way to make health insurance more affordable for teachers and their dependents.

A special task force on electric restructuring will hold its third meeting in Tulsa on Wednesday, November 7th.

State Senator Kevin Easley, chairman of the Electric Restructuring Advisory Committee, said the panel is in the process of touring the state, gathering information and seeking public input on how Oklahoma should proceed with the complicated issue.