Press Releases

Good Bills Dying as Republicans Lock Up to Protect Powerful Insurance Lobby

A disturbing trend of insurance reform bills dying at the hands of Republican senators locking up to protect powerful insurance companies won’t stop Senate Democrats from continuing to push to make healthcare more affordable for all Oklahomans.

Edmond State Senator Todd Lamb’s pro-life bill passed the Senate Rules Committee Wednesday with a vote of 8-0.

Senate Bill 1878, titled the Freedom of Conscience Act, protects the rights of healthcare providers to refuse to take part in the destruction of human life.

Employees or prospective employees who object to scenarios such as participating in or performing an abortion, stem cell research, or euthanasia, based on their religious conviction or moral code, would be protected under this legislation.

The Senate Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on Wednesday approved a measure that would establish a misdemeanor for the public playing of obscene music in vehicles.

Sen. Jeff Rabon said he was motivated to file the Legislation after hearing about incidents where families had been exposed to obscene music in public places such as gas stations and parking lots.

The Oklahoma Senate will soon consider legislation preventing private insurance companies from penalizing critically ill patients who enter clinical trials after a Senate Committee cleared the bill today.

Known as “Steffanie’s Law”, Senate Bill 1521 by State Senator Andrew Rice (D-OKC), passed the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee by a 5-2 vote with State Senator Patrick Anderson (R-Enid) joining all four Democrats on the committee in support.

The Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee unanimously passed Senate Joint Resolution 38 by Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee.

Senate Joint Resolution 38 recognizes the inherent right of Oklahoma citizens to hunt and fish.

Bass Bill Adds Cost of Books and Fees to Oklahoma’s Promise Scholarship Initiative

A bill aimed at giving greater opportunities for Oklahoma’s school children to realize their dream of a college education won unanimous approval for the Senate budget panel on Wednesday. The measure, called the OHLAP Enhancement Act, by Senator Randy Bass (D-Lawton) is part of the Senate Democratic “Vision for Oklahoma: Opportunity and Responsibility” 2008 legislative agenda.

A bill to give thousands more Oklahoma students the opportunity to earn associates degrees did not get a hearing by the February 21 Senate deadline for committee action on legislation. Sen. Kenneth Corn said the lack of action on Senate Bill 2020 was disappointing, but said he would continue to promote the program in the legislature.

Sen. Kenneth Corn on Wednesday said an effort to consolidate the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) could endanger the state’s ability to convict criminals.

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved Senate Bill 1709 to consolidate the two agencies, though Corn said the measure could compromise the integrity of the prosecutorial process.

OKLAHOMA CITY-The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved legislation this week that would update Oklahoma’s drinking laws and make it illegal for the consumption or possession of alcohol (hard liquor) by a person under the age 21.

Senate Bill 1724, authored by State Senator Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee, now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – State Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee said he will strongly push his legislation to merge the Office Chief Medical Examiner with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and said he is disappointed in criticism of his bill that seems to impugn the integrity and professionalism of the OSBI.

OKLAHOMA CITY-A Senate panel approved legislation Wednesday for a comprehensive Patients Bill of Rights that will allow Oklahomans enrolled in health care plans to get fair service and quality care for which they pay.

Senate Bill 2114, authored by Senator Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, is part of the Senate Democratic “Vision for Oklahoma” agenda aimed at achieving affordable health care coverage for all Oklahomans and holding powerful insurance companies responsible to Oklahoma families. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has given approval to Senate Bill 1150 which will require voters to show identification when they cast their ballots. Sen. John Ford, who represents Craig, Nowata and Washington Counties, is author of the measure, which would require voters to show identification at the polls.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City—The Senate Appropriations Committee passed key pieces of the Senate Republican agenda to streamline state agencies and make state government more accountable and innovative.

"Senate Republicans are strongly committed to making government more accountable, more effective and more efficient for taxpayers," stated Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. "It was pleasing to see bipartisan support in the Appropriations Committee for our proposals."

OKLAHOMA CITY-The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee unanimously approved legislation Wednesday which would designate the first Monday of each month to honor veterans who are currently serving or were killed in the global war on terrorism. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City –Democrats on the Senate Rules Committee killed legislation Wednesday that would have sent term limits for statewide officials to a vote of the people.

SJR 33 by Senator Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, would have put a 12 year term limit on Oklahoma's statewide elected officials except the governor if approved by voters.

Governors are already limited to 2 terms (8 years) of service, and state legislators are already limited to 12 years of service.

With education revenues from the state lottery failing to produce the amount of education revenues initially projected, John Ford has authored legislation to examine whether to privatize the operation. Senate Bill 2173 is now headed to the full Senate for a vote after winning committee approval on Wednesday.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – The State Senate Appropriations Committee voted today to advance two bills out of committee that would improve funding for roads and bridges.

Senate Bill 1870 by Senator Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher, removes the 3% growth trigger on the funding for roads and bridges. This would guarantee $50 million in new funding for roads and bridges each year.

Legislation cracking down on unlicensed drivers who hurt or kill someone while behind the wheel is one step closer to becoming law. State Sen. Debbe Leftwich is the author of Senate Bill 1599, which increases the penalty for a person who causes the injury or death of a person while driving with a license that has been suspended, revoked, canceled or denied.

OKLAHOMA CITY- A bill aimed at providing critical assistance to Oklahomans in a mental crisis unanimously passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee today. Senate Bill 1422 directs the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to develop and implement a mental health first aid pilot program. The bill’s author, Senator Susan Paddack, a Democrat from Ada, said the purpose of the program is provide non-mental health professionals the tools and the training to assist an individual in a mental health crisis situation until professional help arrives.

Legislation authored by State Senator Andrew Rice (D-OKC) that would create the Oklahoma Veterans’ Health Insurance Program passed the State Senate Appropriations Committee by a 10-6 vote today.

Rice thanked the bipartisan majority of committee members who supported his plan to offer health insurance to those Oklahoma veterans who don’t qualify for federal government subsidized insurance and can’t afford private health insurance.