The State Senate has given the nod to a measure that would let the people of Oklahoma decide whether the penalties included in last Novembers state question banning cockfighting were too severe. Senator Frank Shurden is the author of Senate Bill 3. The measure would let voters decide whether to change the penalty for violating the state ban from a felony to a misdemeanor. The voters really didnt have the chance to decide on the penalty, which is currently a felony. That puts hard working Oklahomans who raise gaming birds in the same category as murderers, rapists and drug dealers. read more.

Senator Daisy Lawler has won passage for a bill expanding penalties for throwing objects off overpasses and bridges onto moving vehicles or roadways. Senator Lawler said she wrote the legislation after being contacted by a constituent who was a victim of such an attack. Duncan native Cindi Broaddus, sisterinlaw of Dr. Phil McGraw of the Dr. Phil television program was on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike nearly two years ago with her boyfriend Jim Maxwell when a jar of sulfuric acid crashed through their windshield. Both suffered severe burns. read more.

Law enforcement often refers to it as one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States; it’s estimated that over half a million Americans become victims of identify theft every year. Criminals obtain social security numbers, then open credit card or checking accounts in the victim’s name and run up thousands of dollars in debt, ruining the victim’s credit rating in the process.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: March , 2003 Clip
Sen. Monson hopes to raise public
awareness about Hepatitis C Senator Monson Hopes Task Force Will Raise read more.

A bill authored by Senator Jerry Smith, RTulsa, would require crime victims and witnesses to be notified that an offenders sentence could be commuted to a lesser sentence. Under the current law, district attorneys offices are responsible for notifying victims and witnesses of scheduled court appearances, as well as informing them of procedures and their respective rights related to a criminal trial. read more.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: March , 2003 Clip Senate Committee Approves Catastrophic read more.

A senate committee has given the nod to a statewide vote on Governor Brad Henrys education lottery proposal. House Bill 2 passed in the Senate Finance Committee by an vote Tuesday morning. The measure was approved by the House of Representatives last week. Senator Angela Monson presented the measure to the Senate Finance Committee. She explained if the public approved the proposal, it would include numerous safeguards to ensure the integrity of the education lottery. read more.

State teachers and administrators will receive further clarification regarding their benefits if State Senator Kenneth Corn (D-Poteau) has his way. The Senator is the primary author of SB 715, which will require the district board of education to provide an itemized list of all salary and benefit allowances and deductions.

SB 715 passed the Senate floor Wednesday March 12th by a unanimous vote. It is now on its way to the House of Representatives to be heard in the respective committee.

(OKLAHOMA CITY) The Oklahoma State Senate Monday approved emergency funding solutions that will prevent Medicaid cuts for more than 139,000 Oklahomans and reduce prison guard furloughs for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Senators also approved supplemental appropriations for four other state agencies.

The full Senate has joined the House in approving a measure to let the public vote on Governor Brad Henrys education lottery proposal. Senator Angela Monson carried the measure in the upper chamber. She said the vote was consistent with others cast in the Senate over the past several years. There are many issues which are best decided by the voters and I believe this is one of them. Most importantly, were guaranteeing that if approved by the people, this will mean new money for education, explained Senator Monson, DOklahoma City. All existing funds would stay with education. read more.