Press Releases

Citing new figures from the State Equalization Board, the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee is predicting a difficult budget year for state lawmakers.

The state panel revealed its preliminary estimate for the coming fiscal year today, showing the state would have approximately $14 million less to spend in FY 2000.

Calling it a "realistic and responsible" way to deliver tax relief to working Oklahomans, Senator Lewis Long filed legislation today which would eliminate the state sales tax on groceries and reduce personal income taxes, replacing the lost revenue by tightening up the state's current exemptions on sales taxes.

Oklahoma's oil industry, already reeling from a lengthy price slump, is in danger of losing tens of thousands of wells and energy-related jobs if it doesn't receive speedy assistance from the state. That was the testimony of industry leaders who appeared before a special task force at the State Capitol today.

State Senator Bruce Price will hold an important new leadership post in the Oklahoma Legislature when he returns to the State Capitol for the next legislative session.

The Hinton legislator was named chairman of the Senate Science and Technology Committee today, a new panel which will focus on technological changes affecting areas ranging from industry to education to the environment.

Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor announced the appointment today, saying Senator Price is a "perfect fit" for the new committee.