Press Releases

Following is a statement by Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, the Democratic author of the “Back-to-School” sales tax holiday, about the proposal being part of the general budget agreement announced by legislative leaders:

“Oklahoma families are a big winner in the budget agreement announced today. The ‘Back-to-School’ sales tax holiday is a tax cut that will make a real difference in people’s lives and help keep Oklahoma’s economy strong.

The leaders of both chambers in the Oklahoma Legislature issued the following joint statement regarding ongoing discussions over the state budget:

“We have made tremendous progress in budget negotiations and are very close to an agreement. We expect to make an announcement early next week regarding the details of a bipartisan agreement on numerous budget-related issues.”

Ken Burns, director and producer of documentary films including “The Civil War” and “The West”, was welcomed to the Senate Chamber on Thursday.

Burns was introduced to the Senate before visiting the Oklahoma History Center as a guest of the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA).

Sen. Andrew Rice authored Senate Resolution 16 to welcome Burns to the Oklahoma State Capitol. The resolution designates March 15, 2007, as “Ken Burns Appreciation Day”.

Rice commended Burns for his efforts to bring American history to life through film.

The Senate on Wednesday approved a measure that would create a task force to study the redistricting of district attorney and judicial districts.

Sen. Kenneth Corn, author of Senate Bill 990, said the bill was needed to ensure that areas throughout the state are receiving adequate judicial representation.

The full Senate has given its approval to a measure aimed at tightening the rules for using state issued purchase cards. Sen. Charlie Laster said he filed Senate Bill 831 after hearing reports of the cards being used in inappropriate ways.
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The full Senate has approved a measure to set a graduation goal of 100 percent for Oklahoma high school students. Senate Bill 985, by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, would also establish guidelines to give a more accurate picture of graduation rates that will enable an “apples to apples” comparison with other states.
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The full Senate has given approval to another measure aimed at strengthening the Teachers Retirement System of Oklahoma (TRS). Sen. Mike Mazzei is the author of Senate Bill 1092 which was approved by the Senate on Tuesday.

Legislation to give liability protection to volunteers who provide transportation services for charitable organizations or not-for-profit corporations was approved by the full Senate on Monday. Sen. Debbe Leftwich is the author of SB 113. She said the measure was recommended by the Oklahoma County Senior Summit, a biannual conference to discuss issues important to seniors.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – The evenly divided Oklahoma Senate passed three key lawsuit reform measures Tuesday after years of blocking such measures. With the Senate tied at 24 Republicans and 24 Democrats this year, it is the first time Republicans have had a say in what legislation goes on the chamber’s agenda.

A bill to provide immunity from lawsuits to charity volunteers easily passed the Oklahoma Senate Tuesday on a 42 to 5 vote. Senate Bill 507 by Sen. Cliff Branan extends liability protections to volunteers who provide transportation services as part of their duties for charitable organizations, so long as the volunteer is not grossly or intentionally negligent.

State Sen. Kenneth Corn said an amendment to ensure the Teachers Retirement System of Oklahoma (TRS) would be protected from the impact of tax cuts has been blocked by a majority of the Senate. Corn said the language was crucial considering the numerous tax cuts being considered by the Legislature.

State Sen. Randy Brogdon has won national recognition for his legislation known as “The Taxpayer Transparency Act.” Senate Bill 1, by Brogdon, would create an online database to show where every single penny of the public’s money is being spent. The bill was approved unanimously this month in the Senate.

The State Senate this week honored the achievements of Col. Jerry N. Cason of Norman, an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War. Senate Resolution 14, authored by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, commends Col. Cason on his many achievements and wishes him well upon his retirement from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

“Colonel Cason has dedicated his life to protecting the public’s safety,” said Nichols, R-Norman. “Whether serving his country during Vietnam or acting as Chief of the Highway Patrol, he never compromised his duty to protect us.”

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Senate Republican leaders commented on a lawsuit reform bill authored by Democrat Sen. Susan Paddack of Ada that was one of three major lawsuit reform bills to pass the Senate Tuesday. Senate Bill 824 won passage by the full Senate on a bipartisan 46 to 1 vote.

“This bill is a step in the right direction, and Senate Republicans look forward to working with Sen. Paddack to enact meaningful lawsuit reform this year,” stated Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.

State Sen. Jay Paul Gumm has won full Senate approval for a measure to give liability protection to gun manufacturers. Sen. Gumm said the language was based on a similar law in South Dakota’s statutes.

“This simply says that if a bad person takes a gun and shoots somebody, the gun manufacturer cannot be held liable for the criminal actions of that individual,” said Gumm. “It holds the manufacturer harmless.”

Gumm said the liability protection would not apply to manufacturers who build a defective product.

“A significant step in the right direction on the issue of tort reform was taken today when Senators on both sides of the aisle proved they are willing to address common sense solutions to help lower the cost of doing business for doctors in this state, while keeping courthouses open to everyday Oklahomans.

“My tort reform bill strikes at the heart of the problem for Oklahoma doctors who are faced with the costs associated with frivolous lawsuits filed against them.

The State Senate on Tuesday approved a measure that would require the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in structures such as hospitals, nursing homes, apartments, houses and nurseries.

Sen. Richard Lerblance, author of Senate Bill 133, said the measure would protect Oklahomans from harmful levels of carbon monoxide omissions. From January 2006 to September 2006, the Oklahoma Poison Control Center responded to 84 instances of carbon monoxide poisoning, including two fatalities.

A measure that would enact a back-to-school sales tax holiday in Oklahoma was approved on Tuesday by the full Senate.

The two authors of the bipartisan proposal said the bill will help keep consumer dollars in the state. Under Senate Bill 861, the Oklahoma sales tax holiday would be held on the same days as the Texas holiday.

The bill was authored by Democratic Sen. Jay Paul Gumm and Republican Sen. Don Barrington.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – The evenly divided Oklahoma Senate made history Tuesday by passing a pro-life bill that prohibits state funds, facilities, and employees from being used to perform abortions.

Senate Bill 714 is authored by Sen. James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa. The bill passed on a bipartisan 34 to 13 vote Tuesday, with 10 Democrats joining Republican senators to pass the legislation.

State Sen. Jeff Rabon on Monday urged the Oklahoma House of Representatives to act quickly in approving a bill to provide supplemental funding for education.

Rabon said the Legislature must provide approximately $40 million in order to cover the costs of teacher pay raises approved last year and the increasing cost of health insurance benefit rates, or schools could be forced to cut personnel.