Press Releases

After a Mississippi judge this week blocked the release of 21 inmates pardoned by former Gov. Haley Barbour, Sen. Harry Coates on Thursday pointed to the resulting controversy as a textbook example of why Oklahoma should remove the governor from the parole process. Barbour issued more than 200 pardons just days before leaving office.

Four of those pardoned and released were convicted murderers, all of whom had worked at the governor’s mansion while serving their sentences in minimum security prisons.

The Council of State Governments Justice Center, in partnership with the Pew Center on the States and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance on Wednesday released a comprehensive report on Oklahoma’s criminal justice system. The report offers recommendations on how to reduce violent crime while controlling costs.

President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, offered the following comments regarding the report.

A state Senator has filed legislation to combat fraud and abuse in the workers’ compensation system by authorizing the Oklahoma Attorney General to hire additional fraud investigators.

Sen. Dan Newberry said the Workers’ Compensation Anti-Fraud Act is part of a continued effort to reduce costs to businesses while protecting the rights of injured workers.

Sen. Anthony Sykes today offered the following comment on the Court ruling upholding an injunction against SQ 755, which would prohibit state courts from considering Sharia law.

“On Tuesday the federal appeals court in Denver attempted to silence the voice of 70 percent of Oklahoma voters. At some point we have to decide whether this is a country of by and for the judges, or of by and for the people. How far will the people let them go? This ruling is right along with legalizing abortion and forced busing of school children.”

In an effort to fund the estimated $17 million backlog owed to Oklahoma's Nationally Board Certified teachers, Sen. Jim Wilson wants to repeal the sales tax exemption for newspapers and periodicals. Senate Bill 1098, filed Monday, would help create around $17 million in additional revenue according to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, which the Democrat from Tahlequah says could be used to pay back the state's most qualified teachers.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Four southern Oklahoma legislators have been named to key leadership positions in the 54th Oklahoma Legislature.  State Senator Frank Simpson was officially named chairman of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, and Rep. Pat Ownbey assumed chairmanship of the House Human Services Committee.   Rep. Tommy Hardin will be serving as Vice Chairman of the House Veterans and Military Affairs Committee while Rep. Charles McCall was named Vice Chairman of the House Appropriation and Budget Committee for Revenue and Taxation. 

Prior to 1991, the Legislature voted on tuition and fee increases at state colleges and universities. That year, the Legislature decided to give power over tuition decisions to the State Board of Regents but under a strict cap through House Bill 1219. In 2003, however, another measure was passed to give the State Regents full reign over decisions concerning tuition hikes. Since that time, tuition has nearly doubled and mandatory fees have nearly quadrupled, which has some lawmakers like Sen. Jim Wilson wanting to take back control over such decisions.

State Sen. Tom Adelson said Wednesday’s denial of State Insurance Commissioner John Doak’s request for a waiver to a new federal health law is good news for Oklahoma consumers. Adelson, D-Tulsa, also said it was the latest in a series of actions that show the Commission is more interested in protecting the industry than Oklahoma citizens.

“The State Insurance Commission is supposed to regulate the insurance industry and protect Oklahoma consumers. It appears as though their top priority is protecting the industry they’re supposed to regulate,” Adelson said.

Tulsa Republican Sen. Dan Newberry issued the following statement in response to the announcement Wednesday that the Boeing Company planned to close their Wichita defense plant and relocate some of those jobs to Oklahoma.

Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman issued the following statement after Wednesday’s announcement that The Boeing Company would close its Wichita facility and relocate 800 engineering jobs to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma.

“Boeing’s announced relocation of some 800 high-paying jobs to Oklahoma confirms what we already knew; our state has become a magnet for high-profile businesses seeking a pro-jobs climate.

On Wednesday, state Senator Frank Simpson filed legislation to provide local communities more control over smoking standards. Currently, cities and towns cannot enact smoking ordinances that are more stringent than state law.

State Sen. Mike Mazzei has contacted Broken Arrow Mayor Mike Lester and members of the City Council to voice his opposition to a casino under construction in the Tulsa suburb. The Kialegee Tribal Town, based in Wetumka, plans to open the casino on leased land that is part of a Creek Nation allotment.

Last Thursday, several hundred Broken Arrow residents protested the casino fearing it will lead to higher crime rates. Mazzei said the development has raised numerous red flags, and called on city leaders to do everything in their power to stop the casino from being completed. read more.