Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor
Senate President Pro Tempore

"I'm pleased that Governor Keating signed the supplemental appropriations, but it is disappointing that it took him so long to recognize the importance of the emergencies. If he had just exercised some leadership in this process, the supplemental measures would have been approved two weeks ago. There would have been no need to send out cut-off letters to
thousands of health care recipients across the state or delay other emergency funding actions."

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor
Senate President Pro Tempore

"I had hoped that Governor Keating would take a more open-minded approach to the Texas Plan instead of injecting partisan politics into the debate. That's one of the main problems with this building. Elected officials tend to criticize ideas, not because they don't like them, but because they were generated by someone from a different political party. I think we should ignore party labels and have an open and honest debate about the Texas Plan."

The leader of the State Senate is applauding Governor Frank Keating for agreeing to support the Texas Plan - an initiative that would allow voters to decide whether Oklahoma should scrap its current tax code and replace it with an exact duplicate of the Texas tax system that levies no taxes on income or grocery purchases.

A controversial consultant to Governor Keating's state marriage initiative is under scrutiny again - this time for receiving $716,000 from state agencies headed by Health and Human Services Secretary Jerry Regier.

State records indicate that agencies controlled by Regier cut numerous checks to Mary Myrick's public relations firm over a 19-month period. The largest payment came from the Office of Juvenile Affairs last year when it shelled out $400,000 to Myrick over a span of just 11 days.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Senate Appropriations Chairman Kelly Haney said although he agreed with Governor Frank Keating and others who argue a more thorough examination of agency budgets is needed during the appropriations process, there are agencies that continue to be under funded each year. Senator Haney said the Oklahoma Arts Council is one of those agencies.

The Oklahoma State Senate will soon consider two new rules designed to make the legislative process run in a more efficient manner. The rules are the byproduct of the work of a special bipartisan task force that was appointed to study the Senate rules and offer proposals for improvement.

The leader of the Oklahoma State Senate has announced that right to work legislation will be assigned to the Senate General Government Committee this year.

Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor said he made the decision after discussing the issue with other Senators.

Oklahoma public schools that are struggling to pay higher heating bills, accommodate new student growth and implement a teacher pay program authorized last year received little or no help from Governor Keating in his executive budget, according to a State Senate budget leader.

Senator Cal Hobson noted that the Governor virtually ignored a number of bills that are coming due in public school classrooms, opting instead for a block grant approach that guarantees little or no new money for districts across the state.

A quick walk through the student union at any of our state colleges shows where businesses feel they can make money from the college crowd. Amidst the bookstores and fast food counters there is one group that offers free gifts, easy money and seemingly no consequences - credit card companies.

Saying he was inspired by a Tulsa energy producer who has volunteered to help with high home heating costs, State Senator Kevin Easley wants the state to team up with the energy industry to help Oklahomans who are struggling to pay skyrocketing utility bills.

"I wish I could claim credit for this idea, but it came from the industry itself. A small producer in Tulsa is offering to help Oklahomans pay their utility bills and I think the state should do everything it can to encourage other industry members to join in the effort," said Senator Easley.