In response to confusion surrounding the debate on a bond proposal for the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum (AICCM), Sen. Greg Treat today said it was time to include some important facts in the public dialogue. Senate leadership this week announced a proposed $40 million bond issue for the project would not be heard in the 2011 legislative session.

Sen. Greg Treat today applauded Gov. Mary Fallin’s signing of House Bill 1970 – a measure that will require physicians to administer abortion inducing drugs in accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines.

“Governor Fallin has been a consistent champion for the sanctity of life, and I’m very pleased she has signed this bill into law,” said Treat, R-Oklahoma City. “Oklahoma is blessed to now have a governor who recognizes and defends the value of human life. This legislation protects women and the unborn from potentially deadly medicine.”

The state Senate on Tuesday approved legislation that would require physicians to administer abortion inducing drugs in accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. Co-authored by Sen. Greg Treat, House Bill 1970 will protect patients and promote life.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson has filed a bill to reform the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act. Thompson, R-Okemah, said the legislation will create government efficiencies while modernizing state agency spending.

State Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, issued the following statement on Monday following the news that former Sen. Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee, had passed away. Thompson was elected to the District 8 seat in 2014 after Ballenger announced his retirement from the Senate after eight years of service.

“Roger Ballenger was the epitome of a dedicated public servant. He represented the citizens of District 8 with integrity and was extremely gracious and helpful to me when I was elected to the Senate.

Media and internet attention over a ruling handed down by the federal 10th Circuit Court of Appeals from last winter has resulted in confusion and misinformation, said State Sen. Roger Thompson.

Last February, the federal appeals court upheld a lower court’s ruling that said a Fort Collins, Colorado city ordinance banning women from going topless violated the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause because it was gender specific.

State Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, issued the following statement on Tuesday thanking Glen Johnson, Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, for his service and leadership on behalf of the state. Johnson plans to retire from that position at the end of 2020.

“Chancellor Johnson’s public service in Oklahoma spans four decades, serving as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, then as Speaker of the House and then becoming President of Southeastern Oklahoma State University before being named Chancellor of Higher Education.

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat has named Senator Roger Thompson as co-chair of the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) oversight committee.

Senate Bill 1, signed into law recently, created LOFT to serve as an independent office to provide the Legislature and the public with objective data on agency budgets and programs. LOFT will be overseen by bipartisan committee of Senate and House members. The Senate president pro tempore and the House speaker each name a co-chairs and members of the oversight committee.

The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday gave final approval to the state budget, which includes huge investments in public school classrooms, a teacher and state employee pay raise, as well as significant investments in criminal justice reforms all while saving $200 million.

The Fiscal Year 2020 budget bill, House Bill 2765, passed on a 37-11 vote.

A bill designed to promote innovation without risking tax dollars has been approved by the Senate and is now heading to the governor for his consideration. Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson is Senate principal author of House Bill 2670, the Pay for Success Act, which was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate Tuesday. The House principal author for the measure is Rep. Kevin Wallace, Chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee.