A bill to protect money Oklahomans put aside for their childrens education is now law, after Governor Brad Henry approved Senate Bill 32 by Senator Mike Morgan, DStillwater and Representative Debbie Blackburn, DOKC on Tuesday.
Senator Morgan explained that without SB 32, if an individual were sued and a court handed down a judgment against them, funds set aside in an Oklahoma College Savings plan could have been seized to help pay that judgment. read more.

For years, raffles have been a tried and true fundraiser for many nonprofit organizations throughout Oklahoma. However, under current law, its illegal. But that could be changing now that the State Senate has given final approval to SB 3.
The bill, which was written by Senator Frank Shurden, DHenryetta, and coauthored by Senator Johnnie Crutchfield, DArdmore, and Representative Don Armes, RFaxon, would make charitable raffles legal in Oklahoma. read more.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: April 30, 2003 Clip
LR Rep. Tad Jones, Sen. Mike Johnson, Senate Republican Leader James A. Williamson and Rep. Susan Winchester talk about education funding levels for FY 0
Public Education Funding Increasing by read more.

State Senator Daisy Lawler says a bill aimed at teaching inmates to read is headed for the House of Representatives. Thats after Senate Bill cleared the full Senate last week. Senator Lawler said the program could give inmates the skills they need to stay out of prison once their time is served. Study after study shows us the same thing theres a link between crime and illiteracy. Here in Oklahoma, 0 percent of all inmates read at or below the th grade level. The research says if a person cant read, theyre much more likely to wind up either on welfare or in prison, explained Lawler. read more.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: March 3, 2003 Clip Senators Say Incentive Legislation Pays Off read more.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City The decision by Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson, DLexington, and other Democrat leaders to obstruct education funding in the Legislature is now leading to teacher layoffs. Republicans warned early on that if the Legislature failed to pass education funding before March st, school boards would be forced to assume the worst and start issuing pink slips to teachers. read more.

Statement by Senator Cal Hobson read more.

Two measures calling for sweeping restrictions on public smoking have cleared the State Senate. After narrowly defeating Senate Bill last week, the measure was brought up for reconsideration Monday morning and passed by a vote of 32 to . Senator Ben Robinson is principal author of SB , which would extend a smoking ban to all indoor workplaces, including restaurants. The measure does include some exemptions including standalone bars, retail tobacco products and medical facilities conducting smoking research. read more.

State Senator Angela Monson, president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, is applauding Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridges efforts to listen to concerns of state legislators while developing national homeland security policies. Last week Ridge became the first executive branch official to ever win the NCSLs Restoring the Balance award. The honor is given to recognize efforts to restore the balance of power between states and the federal government. Secretary Ridge has developed a staff that is responsive, helpful and dependable. read more.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 Clip For Immediate Release: March , 2003
Sens. Coffee, Williamson and Pruitt talk to
reporters about Republican budget proposals Senate GOP Seeks to Break Fiscal Deadlock read more.