Senator Micheal Bergstrom, R- Adair, issued a statement Thursday regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling striking down the cigarette fee and declaring it an unconstitutional tax:

"As I sat in the courtroom and listened to the arguments in the Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday, I came to the conclusion that the smoking cessation fee we passed last session was in serious trouble. This morning the court ruled that the fee was unconstitutional.

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Senator Roland Pederson met with various officials from the cities of Goltry, Ponca City, Pond Creek and Tonkawa, along with staff from the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA), over lunch in Pond Creek at Mayor Stinson’s restaurant on Friday, July 28.  Pederson, R-Burlington, was also joined by Representative John Pfeiffer.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Research Institute for Economic Development (RIED), a non-partisan organization and producer of the annual RIED Report, a grading system of Oklahoma legislators’ votes on key economic development issues, announced today that Senator Ron Sharp (R-Shawnee) recorded a perfect score of 100 on the 2017 RIED Report. His cumulative average is 98.

State Sen. Kevin Matthews is hoping for a great turnout for the First Annual Marvin Blades Memorial Golf Tournament this Saturday.  The event is being launched by 100 Black Men of Tulsa. The organization describes the tournament as an effort to engage the citizens, authorities, clergy, pastors and politicians in a friendly game of golf to raise funds for underserved youth and community.  Matthews, D-Tulsa, is a member.

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau (OKFB) has named their 100 Percent Club members for 2017, which includes members of the legislature voting 100 percent for measures OKFB as identified as important to farmers, ranchers and rural Oklahoma during the legislative session.  Sen. Tom Dugger, R-Stillwater, is among those lawmakers with a perfect voting record.

State Sen. Greg McCortney has been recognized by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau (OKFB) for his support of issues important to farmers, ranchers and rural Oklahoma during the 2017session.

“I was sent to the Senate to be a strong voice for the people of this district which includes many farmers and ranchers,” said McCortney, R-Ada.  “There is a saying that’s very true—as rural Oklahoma goes, so goes Oklahoma.  Our state’s future depends on keeping rural Oklahoma and our agriculture heritage strong.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Ron Sharp was among 80 legislators to be named to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau 100 Percent Club for a 100 –percent voting record with the organization during the 2017 legislative session. 

“I’m proud to support measures like these to strengthen rural Oklahoma and help families and businesses in these communities,” said Sharp, R-Shawnee.  

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Research Institute for Economic Development (RIED), a non-partisan organization and producer of the annual RIED Report, a grading system of Oklahoma legislators’ votes on key economic development issues, announced today that Senator Ron Sharp (R-Shawnee) recorded a perfect score of 100 on the 2017 RIED Report. His cumulative average is 98.

Sen. Michael Brooks was sworn in as the newest member of the Oklahoma State Senate on Tuesday, during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber of the Capitol.  Brooks, a lifelong southwest Oklahoma City resident, small business owner and attorney, won the Senate District 44 seat in a special election held July 11.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz recently appointed Sen. Ron Sharp to The Council of State Governments’ (CSG) Education Committee for the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC). read more.