Press Releases

A push to require municipalities to pay into two retirement funds for certain volunteer firefighters could severely undermine fire protection in small communities. That's according to Senator Kelly Haney, who has requested an Attorney General's opinion on that issue, as well as whether those same volunteers would have to meet the same physical and agility requirements as full-time fire fighters.

(Oklahoma City) Issues ranging from daycare staffing to rural 911 service will be the topics of a series of interim studies conducted by the Oklahoma State Senate in the coming months.
Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor announced the approval of the interim studies today, saying the special committee work will help lawmakers prepare for the 2003 legislative session.

Brooks Douglass announced on Monday that he would not seek another term in the Oklahoma State Senate. The Oklahoma City Republican was first elected to represent Senate District 40 in 1990, but now says he wants to turn his attention to private business opportunities as well as his career in the military.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"We all agree that the state parks need to be fixed as quickly as possible and we are all working toward that goal. We simply believe that the best and fastest way to get them back into shape is to implement the short-term solutions suggested by DEQ and carry through with the bond issue authorized by SB 1271.

(Oklahoma City) Legislative leaders are urging Oklahoma tourism officials to use a new state law and other emergency measures at their disposal to address state park sewage problems, instead of requesting a costly and unnecessary special session of the Legislature to address the issue.