Press Releases

Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“The decision by Judge Owens to dismiss the OEA lawsuit is great news for educators, school children and communities all across this state. The dismissal proves that it is the exclusive prerogative of the Legislature to set school funding policies for Oklahoma.

“Senate Democrats have proven time and time again that we are more than willing to do our part to fund education at the level deserving of the future of our great state.

Sen. Clark Jolley said Friday the decision by Oklahoma County District Judge Daniel Owens to dismiss the Oklahoma Education Associations (OEA) lawsuit against the State Legislature was good news for the entire state. Jolley said he was glad that the judge saw through the OEAs attempts to appropriate monies through the wrong channel.

The OEAs attempts were the wrong course of action and sent the wrong signal to the legislature and Oklahoma citizens, said Jolley, R-Edmond. This part in the national movement has met a dead end in Oklahoma.
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Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee said Wednesday he was glad two of his veteran members would be continuing their service in the State Senate. Sen. James A. Williamson of Tulsa had sought to become the Republican nominee for Governor while Sen. Nancy Riley, also of Tulsa, had thrown her hat into the Lt. Governor's race. Since each is midway in their current four-year terms, they will return to serve the remaining two years of their terms in the Senate.
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State Sen. Cal Hobson said the legislation ceremoniously signed by the Governor Monday providing funding for the creation of a world-class diabetes center will pay dividends for Oklahoma for years to come in terms of improved health and economic development. Hobson was principal author of the legislation creating the facility and was on hand for Monday’s ceremony.
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(Oklahoma City) Issues ranging from the cost of telephone contracts with Oklahoma prisons to strengthening the actuarial soundness of the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System and improving boating safety will be among those studied by members of the Oklahoma State Senate in the coming months.

A total of 10 Senate interim study requests have been approved by President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan.

Two years after Oklahoma voters approved a state question allowing Oklahoma horse racing tracks to operate video gaming machines, Oklahoma’s horse industry is experiencing a major resurgence, Sen. Cal Hobson said on Tuesday.
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Sen. Daisy Lawler has been chosen to chair a task force examining the issue of illegal immigration in Oklahoma. Lawler, D-Comanche, was author of a resolution calling for the creation of the task force during the 2006 session.

(Oklahoma City) A top transportation official said Friday that funding for repair and maintenance of Oklahoma’s crumbling roads and bridges has turned the corner thanks to Legislation authored by Senator Frank Shurden, D-Henryetta.

House Bill 1176, authored by Shurden and Representative Mark Liotta, will more than double the annual funding for road maintenance in the next five years.

State Sen. Cal Hobson has sent letters to all members of the Oklahoma Legislature asking for their support for a special session to address unfunded costs of the recently approved $3,000 pay raise as well as funding to shore up the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System (OTRS). Hobson said he decided to approach members of the House and Senate after Gov. Brad Henry said the issues could wait until the regular session.

State Sen. Cal Hobson recommended today that the Oklahoma Legislature convene in special session in late July or early August to complete its work on two critical funding areas.

Hobson, D-Lexington, suggested that $21.7 million be allocated to Oklahoma public schools for the 2006 – 2007 school year. This amount will guarantee for educators, schools, and students 100 percent state funding of the recently mandated $3,000 teacher pay increase.

(Oklahoma City) – Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Johnnie Crutchfield said Friday that the first priority for 51st Oklahoma Legislature next year should be to provide a supplemental appropriation to help public schools cover the cost of social security taxes and benefits associated with the $3,000 pay raise given to state teachers.