Press Releases

OKLAHOMA CITY – Two state legislators are working together in a bipartisan effort to keep sex offenders away from schools and parks. Representative Kevin Cox and Senator Jonathan Nichols have both filed bills that would criminally proscribe convicted sex offenders from either living near schools or entering the vicinity of schools or community playgrounds.

Winning at the Westminster Dog Show is something thousands of dog owners aspire to, but only a select few achieve. So after an Oklahoma City couples bloodhound won the prestigious title of Best of Breed at the 2003 Westminster competition, their State Senator wanted bring attention to the accomplishment. The Westminster show is second only to the Kentucky Derby as the oldest continuous sporting event in this country. If you have an interest in pure bred dogs, you know this competition is basically the equivalent of the Olympics. read more.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City Senate Republicans welcomed medical doctors to the State Capitol Wednesday, where a rally was held to demand medical tort reform in the face skyrocketing medical malpractice insurance.

Senator Charles Ford announced the dedication of another original painting commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund Inc. The painting, titled "45th Infantry at Pork Chop Hill, Korea" by nationally recognized artist and Vietnam veteran R.T. Foster of Oklahoma City, was unveiled during a ceremony in the House Chamber this afternoon.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: February 2, 2003 Clip
Sen Glenn Coffee in his Capitol office reviews his legislation
to require computer techs to report child porn. Senate To Consider Measure Requiring Computer Techs read more.

Oklahoma City In a straight party-line vote Tuesday, Senate Democrats stopped an effort by Republicans to fund the FY 2004 common education budget at levels recommended by Gov. Brad Henry.

Senate Republican Floor Leader James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa, stated, The Senate Democrat leadership continues to hold education funding hostage. The Senate had an opportunity to fund education first, and at Governor Henrys proposed levels. Republicans tried, but the majority Democrats had the votes to stop our effort.

Senator Keith Leftwich author of Senate Bill 276 cleared another legislative hurdle on Monday February 24th.

The Democrat from South Oklahoma City enabled passage of the bill on the Senate floor. The bill will prohibit notary publics from providing legal advice on any proceeding in relation to immigration or citizenship.

Statement by Cal Hobson,
Senate President Pro Tempore

I regret the Republican Caucus once again proved they would rather look good than do good. They offered only non-answers to Oklahomas budget crisis. To extend a false promise for the funding needs of our public schools while ignoring the stark reality of the danger faced by our children without health insurance, the needs of our senior citizens and other critically important constituencies that we must address is at best, irresponsible.

Senator Charles Ford announced the dedication of another original painting commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund Inc. The painting, a portrait of Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson, was created by award winning illustrator and artist Mike Wimmer of Norman. The portrait is a gift of the members of the th Oklahoma Legislature. Every tradition starts somewhere. Our organization commissioned a portrait of Stratton Taylor when he was Pro Tempore of the Senate. Ive known and worked with Senator Hobson for many years both in the House and in the Senate. read more.

Statement by Senator Cal Hobson,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"With the Senate approval of this proposal to take $25.5 million from the state rainy day fund, our public schools are one step closer to getting some relief in the face of this budget shortfall.

"However, this amount will simply reduce the size of the funding reductions our schools face. Education, health, public safety, transportation and every other area of state government still face dramatic cuts that could eventually touch every single family in this state one way or another.

Oklahoma City – Senate Republican Floor Leader James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa, challenged Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson, D-Lexington, to bring the FY 2004 common education funding bill to the Senate floor for an immediate vote.

Several hundred Oklahoma men and women who served their nation in the military gathered at the Capitol today for an annual event aimed at bringing attention to the states veterans. Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson, a veteran of the Air Force and a retired Colonel with the Air National Guard, said it was particularly poignant to have the veterans at the State Capitol this year. read more.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: February , 2003 Clip Sen. Hobson Comments on Final Certification
by State Equalization Board Statement by Senator Cal Hobson,
Senate President Pro Tempore This is unfortunately another indicator that Oklahoma and perhaps the nation continues to deal with the damage from a national recession. As I have said before, there is no simple silver bullet to turn our difficulties around. Only tough decisions and bipartisan cooperation will lead us to better days.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: February , 2003 Clip
Sen. Hobson comments on budget shortfall and
GOP push to fund education first. Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson Comments
on Senator Williamsons Remarks Statement by Senator Cal Hobson, read more.

Senator Charles Ford announced the dedication of another original painting commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund Inc. The painting, entitled Whitetail Deer in Choctaw Country, was created nationally renowned artist Ross Myers of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was unveiled during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber Tuesday afternoon.

Senator Charles Ford announced the dedication of another original painting commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund Inc. The painting, entitled Game Birds at Glass Mountain, was created by prominent regional artist Harold T. Holden of Enid, Oklahoma, and was unveiled during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber Wednesday afternoon.

With friends, family and supporters gathered in the Senate Gallery, Shawnee attorney Charlie Laster was sworn in by State Supreme Court Justice Joseph M. Watt on Monday. Laster succeeded Brad Henry as the District State Senator, who was in midterm when he was elected governor. This is a proud day for my family and for me. Its an honor I dont take lightly and I pledge to do the very best job I possibly can representing District , said Laster. Among those offering their congratulations to the new legislator was Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson. read more.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: February 3, 2003 Clip Standingroomonly in Senate Chambers for public hearing on budget cuts for programs for the severely disabled Sen Robert M. Kerr and Sen Pres Pro Tempore Cal Hobson at public hearing Senate Subcommittee Holds Public Hearing read more.

Oklahoma City – Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson, speaking at Wednesday’s education rally at the state Capitol, made a surprise proposal for a one-cent sales tax increase on Oklahomans and pledged to rally fellow Democrat senators to support his tax hike proposal.

Statement by Senator Cal Hobson,
Senate President Pro Tempore read more.