OKLAHOMA CITY – Three local organizations working to combat illiteracy in the state were recently awarded over $24,000 in Literacy Grants from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL).  Sen. Ron Sharp said the grants will help in significantly improving the lives of local citizens.

State Sen. Larry Boggs issued the following statement in reaction to the recent death of State Labor Commissioner Mark Costello.  Costello died following an altercation with his son, Christian Costello.

“The tragic loss of State Labor Commissioner Mark Costello is felt by many this week as he was an outstanding man who embraced his duties as a state leader with a strong sense of compassion and responsibility.  He was a respected member of the Oklahoma community and a friend who will be dearly missed.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – 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, recently announced that Senator Ron Sharp (R-Shawnee) recorded a score of 94 on the 2015 RIED Report.  During the first three legislative sessions served of his first term, Senator Sharp’s average score is 96. 
read more.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Ron Sharp had a 100 percent voting record for the 2015 session.  During his three years in the state Senate, he has only missed two days of session.  He was absent on May 20, 2013 to survey tornado damage throughout Pottawatomie County with Gov. Mary Fallin. He was then absent on February 6, 2014, because of bad weather.  During his three years in office, out of 2,584 possible votes, Sharp has only missed 24 (20 in 2013 and 4 in 2014).  read more.

OKLAHOMA CITY –   State Senator Kevin Matthews is inviting local business owners and community partners to attend an event in support for the Entrepreneur Shadow Program in Tulsa.  The event will be held tomorrow, Thursday, July 2 at 10AM at the Rudisill Regional Library, located at 1520 N. Hartford in Tulsa.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The State Senate has confirmed the executive nomination of Carol Carver of Elk City to serve on the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission, according to State Senator Darcy Jech. 

            Carver, an Elk City tag agent, has served on the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission since 2009 and is currently serving as the acting chairperson. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The State Senate has confirmed the executive nomination of Lisa Storm of Kingfisher to serve on the State Textbook Committee, according to State Senator Darcy Jech. 

            Storm, a National Board certified teacher, has been teaching for seventeen years and is currently a 3rd grade teacher in Kingfisher Public Schools.  She also serves as a curriculum writer for Ag in the Classroom and is a certified instructor for Great Expectations teacher training seminars.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The State Senate has confirmed the executive nomination of Deanna LeGrand of Reydon to serve on the Oklahoma Conservation Committee, according to State Senator Darcy Jech. 

            LeGrand is a self-employed farmer and rancher who, along with her husband, manages and operates about 2,000 acres of small grain, cotton, hay and cattle.

            “I am pleased with the experience Ms. LeGrand brings to this position,” said Sen. Jech, R-Kingfisher.  “I am confident she will be an excellent member of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission.”

Senator to attend Wednesday’s One Tulsa Rally-Justice

Sen. Kevin Matthews (D-Tulsa) will be joining his constituents from north Tulsa tonight for a peaceful rally calling for the resignation of Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz and major department changes to address the culture that has caused continual distrust of law enforcement within the black community.  The One Tulsa Rally-Justice will be held at 7pm in the Blue Dome Area in the 2nd and Elgin parking lot.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Surrounded by over 450 friends and supporters of Seminole State College and the SSC Educational Foundation, State Sen. Darcy Jech was inducted into the Seminole State College Alumni Hall of Fame last week.  The award was presented during the SSC Educational Foundation’s annual recognition banquet held in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center and included recognition of college alumni, students, staff and supporters.