Press Releases

Supporters of the bill to make English the official language are disappointed that Senate Democrats utilized a rarely-used procedural maneuver to block an up-or-down vote on the bill by sending it to a conference committee.

The bill’s author, Senate Republican Floor Leader Owen Laughlin, said the Democrats’ obstruction likely kills Senate Bill 163 for the 2008 session.

Foster and adoptive parents along with child advocates gathered at the State Capitol Tuesday to rally for Oklahoma’s 12,000 foster children. Several hundred pairs of shoes dotted the south steps as a small representation of those children. The Foster Care Association of Oklahoma, Inc. (FCAO) collected the shoes throughout April as part of their “Heart and Soles” program to help raise awareness about the needs of the state’s foster care system.
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The state Senate dedicated another original painting Tuesday morning. “Tinker Field”, by Midwest City artist R.T. Foster, is sponsored by Senator Cliff and DeeAnn Aldridge and commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund.

“DeeAnn and I are so honored to sponsor this beautiful piece of art,” said Aldridge, R-Midwest City. “Tinker has played a tremendous role not only in our state’s economy being the largest employer, but over the years and even today it continues to be a strong link in our country’s military system.”
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Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, has sent House Speaker Chris Benge a letter asking for a proposal from the Speaker to help families struggling to provide services to children with autism.

Gumm is the primary author of “Nick’s Law,” a measure that would require health insurance policies to cover autism diagnosis and treatment. Last week, Speaker Benge announced he would not allow the bill to be considered by the House of Representatives.

Text of Senator Gumm’s letter, hand delivered to Benge’s Capitol office Tuesday, follows:

May 6, 2008

Senator Jay Paul Gumm reacted with frustration to a letter sent to him by House Speaker Chris Benge.

The Speaker responded to a letter by Senator Gumm delivered Tuesday morning about what the House’s solution would be to the near epidemic incidence of autism in the state. Gumm wrote “Nick’s Law,” a measure that would require insurance companies to cover autism diagnosis and treatment for children.

Republican state senators expressed their disappointment that Senate Democrats voted along party lines to kill a bill designed to stamp out election fraud by requiring voters to show a form of identification at the polls.

Senate Bill 1150 received 24 votes in favor, and 23 votes opposed, but 25 votes were required to pass the bill and send it to the governor’s desk.

In 1937 Ed Vandergriff was among the very first state troopers to serve the state when the Oklahoma Highway Patrol was first formed. At the age of 97, he is now the oldest living retired trooper in the state.
On Tuesday the State Senate honored Vandergriff with the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 86. Sen. Jeff Rabon was principal author of SCR 86. The measure was co-authored by Rep. R.C. Pruett, Rep. Paul Roan and Rep. Glenn Bud Smithson who are all former state troopers.

Rabon said Vandergriff had been a long-time family friend.
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With his final session in the State Legislature drawing to a close, members of the Oklahoma State Senate paid tribute Tuesday to Sen. Jeff Rabon. The Hugo Democrat leaves office this year due to term limits. read more.

“For the second consecutive day, the Senate Republican caucus has put politics ahead of the Oklahoma people. This is typical election year tricks the GOP trots out to divert the dialogue on real solutions for Oklahoma families, like access to affordable healthcare coverage.

The so-called “Voter ID” bill is bad policy for our citizens and straight out of the Karl Rove school of election year posturing. It is another way to disenfranchise senior citizens and minority voters.

Portraits of Oklahoma’s seven territorial governors were dedicated Monday by officials of the Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) and Governor Brad Henry at the State Capitol.

State Senate Democrat leaders have refused a request to help bring compromise language for a referendum on term limits for statewide officials to a vote in the State Senate. So, the Senate will have to vote on the existing proposal, the bill’s authors said Monday.

The State Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 38 on Monday by a vote of 46-0, sending to a vote of the people Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee's proposal to provide constitutional protections for the right of Oklahomans to hunt and fish.

SJR 38 adds a new section to the State Constitution giving all Oklahomans the right to hunt, trap, fish, and take game and fish. Under this legislation, state laws to prohibit anyone from engaging in such activities are not allowed.

State Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson’s efforts to promote education reform and innovation will long be remembered as her legacy in the Oklahoma Legislature. Wilcoxson was honored by the State Senate on Monday. She is completing her twelfth and final session in the Legislature due to term limits.

“It’s so sad Republicans seem to be so focused on political issues that do nothing to make health care more affordable for our citizens. If they would have done their homework they would know what Oklahomans want more than anything is access to affordable health care.

Following is a statement by Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, following the announcement by Speaker Benge that the House of Representatives will not hear “Nick’s Law,” a measure that would require health insurance to cover autism diagnosis and treatment:

“It is regrettable the Speaker has closed his door on ‘Nick’s Law’ for this legislative session – without so much as a hearing in what is supposed to be ‘The People’s House.’ For the fourth time this year, House Republican leadership has turned its back on Oklahoma’s children with autism and their families.

A bill to get communities more involved in the fight against youth obesity was approved Thursday by the Senate. Senate Bill 1612, by Chickasha Republicans Sen. Ron Justice and Rep. Susan Winchester, now goes to the Governor for his approval.

A proposal to add more licensed Anesthesiologist Assistants in Oklahoma that passed the State Senate with bipartisan support on Wednesday will help relieve the state’s labor shortage among medical providers, it’s co-author, State Senator Andrew Rice (D-Oklahoma City), said today.

“This is a responsible and prudent policy for Oklahoma,” Rice said. “We have an opportunity to address a problem with our medical labor pool and provide more healthcare services to the people of Oklahoma.”