(Oklahoma City) State lawmakers will return to the State Capitol on October 2nd to reconvene an ongoing special session of the Oklahoma Legislature, according to an announcement today from House Speaker Larry Adair and Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor.

The two legislative leaders said that they plan to use the meeting to address problems with the Multiple Injury Trust Fund and other pressing items on the special session agenda. The MITF, a special account that makes payments to disabled workers, is scheduled to run out of money in October.

A special task force on electric restructuring will hold its second meeting in Lawton on Wednesday, September 19th.

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.

Senator Bernest Cain, Chairman of the Senate Human Resources Committee has announced that a series of town meetings will be held throughout Oklahoma to discuss the impact of the Olmstead v. L.C. decision. The U.S. Supreme Court decision requires state Medicaid agencies to provide services to persons with disabilities in the community in "the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs."

Ralph Rouse, Regional Manager of Region VI, Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services will speak at each of the six public meetings.

Because legislative leaders and Governor Keating have not been able to reach an agreement on legislation that would fix problems with the Multiple Injury Trust Fund, state lawmakers will not be returning for a special session on Friday, September 7th as scheduled, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor.

A special interim task force on children's health issues is looking at the potential health risks facing overweight youth in Oklahoma, and at possible ways to fight that trend. That's according to Senator Bernest Cain, who along with Representative Darrell Gilbert authored SB 708 creating the task force.

(Oklahoma City) Oklahoma City will host the annual conference of one of the largest state legislative organizations in the country in 2008, according to Oklahoma legislative leaders and city officials. The meeting of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) is expected to have an economic impact of at least $1.2 million.

Senator Cal Hobson has been picked to help lead a prestigious think tank that researches policy issues affecting the country, particularly the southern United States.

Hobson was named vice-chairman of the Southern Growth Policies Board at the organization's annual meeting in Hot Springs, Arkansas in June. The SGPB is a bipartisan organization of state legislative leaders, governors, business officials and academic leaders that focuses on issues ranging from economic development to education.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Senator Brad Henry says news of a proposed double-digit rate cut for workers comp insurance is good news for the entire state, and proof that legislative efforts to improve the system are working. That's after the organization that represents workers comp insurance companies recommended at least a 12.1 percent reduction effective this December 1.

The State Department of Mental Health is getting legislative support in its ongoing dispute with Parkside Hospital in Tulsa. The Tulsa mental health facility is planning to turn mental patients into the street unless the state agency agrees to give it more money for its services.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Senator Kelly Haney said work on the 17-foot bronze statue "The Guardian" is going so well the project will likely be completed ahead of schedule. This week the clay version, which Haney has been working on in sections, was assembled for the first time. The clay version will be used to create a mold for the bronze statue, which will be placed on top of the state capitol dome upon its completion next year. The statue, which will weigh an estimated five thousand pounds, is being cast at the Crucible Foundry in Norman.