OKLAHOMA CITY – Statement from Sen. Ron Sharp on final passage Tuesday of SB 1062, creating the Administrative Workers’ Compensation Act, and the Senate’s approval last week of House Bill 2032 reducing the state income tax.  The Senate approved the Workers’ Comp bill Tuesday and it will now go to the Governor’s office.  However, the Senate amended the income tax cut bill so the House has to vote on it again before it can move on to Gov. Fallin’s desk. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – History repeated itself Tuesday when Sen. Ron Sharp found himself voting on House Bill 1999 dealing with the issue of horse slaughter – an issue his father, H.K. Sharp, dealt with in the early 1960s working at the State Department of Agriculture.  The bill would allow for the slaughter of horses in Oklahoma, but not for human consumption within the state.  Even with the Shawnee Republican’s “no” vote, the measure still passed 32-14.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The president of AARP Oklahoma, Marjorie Lyons, was recently appointed to serve on the Citizens Advisory Panel for Aging Issues by Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman.  The Broken Arrow resident is the first appointee to this unique panel, which will oversee the functions and operations of the Aging Services Division of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS). 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Long-time educator Sen. Ron Sharp praised passage of legislation Monday that will help increase funding for education and other important state services.  The Shawnee Republican said Senate Bill 585 is a win-win for all Oklahomans including students, taxpayers and businesses. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – On Monday, Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman announced the committee assignments for the 54th Legislature.  Sen. Larry Boggs will be serving on five committees.

            The freshman legislator has been appointed to the Agriculture and Rural Development, Tourism and Wildlife, Veterans and Military Affairs, and Public Safety Committees as well as the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and Transportation. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – On Monday, Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman announced the committee assignments for the 54th Legislature.  Sen. Ron Sharp will be serving on five committees.

The freshman legislator has been appointed to the Education, Tourism and Wildlife, Veterans and Military Affairs, and Business and Labor Committees as well as the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and Transportation. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Kim David was tapped for one of the Senate’s leadership roles Wednesday when she was elected as a Majority Whip.  This will be the Tulsa Republican’s third session as she was elected in November 2010.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Kim David received top marks from the National Federation of Independent Business and the Research Institute for Economic Development (RIED) for her support of pro-business legislation this year.  

In October 2011, Sen. Kim David requested an Attorney General’s opinion on the legality of Wagoner County’s planning and zoning ordinances following concerns raised by local residents.  On Tuesday, the Attorney General’s office sent their opinion upholding the current practice of planning and zoning by the county commissioners.  A copy of the opinion will be sent to each Wagoner county commissioner.

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Mark Allen said he is looking forward to the new challenges awaiting him in the 2011 and 2012 legislative sessions.  Allen, who had already been chosen to serve as Vice-Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, has also been selected to serve on several additional committees in the 53rd Legislature.