In order to provide equal access and equal opportunity to people with diverse abilities, this site has been designed with accessibility in mind. Click here to view
Oklahoma Senate
Press Releases
"Helen Cole was a woman of great dignity and character and was admired by members of both parties. She was very proud of her Native American heritage and her state. She loved public service and worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of her district. Her service on the Ethics Commission underscored Senator Cole’s commitment to making government in Oklahoma something of which our citizens could be proud. Her son Tom continues the family tradition of service in the U.S. Congress and our thoughts and prayers are with Congressman Cole and the entire Cole family."
read more.
Senator Mike Morgan and Representative Jari Askins announced a schedule Wednesday of four issue-oriented hearings on tort reform.
Morgan, D-Stillwater, and Askins, D-Duncan, are co-chairs of a special 23-member joint House-Senate committee that will examine the state’s civil justice system. The co-chairpersons outlined the process the committee will follow in the hearings during Thursday’s meeting.
read more.
I first met Helen Cole in 1980, when I was working as executive secretary for the State Republican Party. Through the years we often discussed politics, public service, and what it was like for a woman to serve in the legislature. When Senator Cole decided not to seek another term 8 years ago, I was elected to the Senate District 45 seat that she held. She continued to be a great friend and mentor to me as I began my service in the Senate.
I cannot even begin to describe my love and admiration for Helen, or the depths of this loss.
read more.
Senator Frank Shurden and Representative Rebecca Hamilton called a press conference on Thursday after an Oklahoma City Mexican-American family was charged for violating the state's anti-cockfighting law. The lawmakers denounced the law and the treatment of the family as unfair.
Three members of the Zarate family each had felony charges brought against them on March 29, in the Oklahoma County District Court, for possession and intent to engage in cockfighting. They were the first people charged with violating the state law.
read more.
A bill that would pay 100 percent of state teacher’s single insurance premiums has cleared yet another legislative hurdle. HB 2662 authored by Senator Kenneth Corn and House of Representatives Speaker Larry Adair would provide state teacher’s with much needed financial relief.
The measure provides that all state teachers and principals receive 100 percent of their single insurance premiums under the Health Choice High Option to be paid for by the state. An important amendment was also made to HB 2662 to protect teachers from losing a portion of their salary.
read more.
Senator Angela Monson and House Speaker Pro Tempore Danny Hilliard were joined by trauma survivors and physicians Monday for a special presentation on the state of Oklahoma’s trauma care network.
The legislative leaders hosted the presentation in the State Senate Chamber in an effort to educate other lawmakers and the public on the need for an infusion of funding to keep the state’s only Level 1 Trauma Center open at University Hospital in Oklahoma City and to ensure the existence of reliable statewide trauma care network
read more.
House Speaker Larry Adair and Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson announced Friday the formation of a 23-member bipartisan joint committee on lawsuit reform.
The committee, which will be led by Representative Jari Askins and Senator Mike Morgan, will conduct a series of open hearings beginning April 15, to examine the myriad of issues surrounding lawsuit reform. Members of the joint committee are also expected to serve as members of the conference committee that will write the final version of lawsuit reform legislation this session.
read more.
Senator Debbe Leftwich said she is hopeful the full Senate will support her efforts to ensure all Oklahoma women have access to breast and cervical cancer treatment. House Bill 2552 won approval by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.
“The American Cancer Society has a map of the United States showing all the states that provide breast and cervical cancer treatment to women who are under-insured or have no insurance. Oklahoma is the only state that offers no such program,” said Senator Leftwich, D-OKC.
read more.
