The Senate Republicans released their legislative agenda today announcing a commitment to job creation and a focus on the budget challenges ahead. Republicans reassured Oklahomans those basics such as public safety, education, and transportation funding would remain priorities in the upcoming session.

“Our commitment as Republicans is to make Oklahoma a better place to create jobs and grow your business,” stated Senator Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa.

“As always, the governor’s speech was positive and forward looking, and we appreciate his willingness to work with the legislature to see our state through our current challenges.

The State Senate unanimously passed Senate Joint Resolution 38 by Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee that acknowledges the inherent right of Oklahoma citizens to hunt and fish.

The resolution will add a new section to the State Constitution that gives all Oklahomans the right to hunt, trap, fish, and take game and fish. The legislation would not allow state laws to prohibit anyone from engaging in such activities.

Members of the Oklahoma State Senate’s Republican Rural Caucus released today their policy agenda for the 2008 legislative session, which includes their “Vision for Improving the Quality of Life in Rural Oklahoma.”

The Republican Rural Caucus’ agenda calls for more funding for county roads and bridges, opposing forced school consolidation, attracting and keeping physicians in rural Oklahoma, among others.

Twenty-four members of the Oklahoma State Senate took the oath of office on Statehood Day, Thursday, November 16, 2006, in the Senate chamber.  The oath was administered by the Honorable Joseph M. Watt, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Newly elected members sworn in were Sean Burrage, D-Claremore; Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee; Joe Sweeden, D-Pawhuska; Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa; John Sparks, D-Norman; Anthony Sykes, R-Moore; Tom Ivester, D-Sayre; Bill Brown, R-Broken Arrow; and Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City.