Press Releases

Each year, the Department of Corrections struggles to keep up with the increasing costs of housing inmates. Many inmates pass away while incarcerated each year and the families of most of these individuals bury their loved ones. There are situations, though, where an inmate doesn’t have any living relatives or his or her designee declines to accept the individual’s remains for burial. In this case, DOC pays for the cost of cremation.
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Currently, around eight million women in the U.S. are living with heart disease, yet only one in five believes that cardiovascular disease is her greatest health threat. For this reason, Sen. Kim David joined with other female legislators Thursday for Wear Red Lobby Day at the State Capitol to help raise awareness of the disease that kills a woman nearly every minute.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – On Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee voted down a measure to repeal the sales tax exemption on newspaper and periodicals.  Sen. Frank Simpson was one of thirteen who voted against Senate Bill 1098.  The only vote of approval came from the bill’s author, Sen. Jim Wilson, a democrat from Tahlequah.  

The Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved a measure Tuesday that would help public housing authorities recoup financial losses caused by irresponsible tenants. Senate Bill 1019, by Sen. Earl Garrison, would allow housing authorities to garnish former tenants’ personal income tax refunds for any monies owed for rent or property damage.
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When the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Education meets Wednesday, members are expected to review a package of bond proposals the Regents of Higher Education will issue this year. Sen. Patrick Anderson is voicing his opposition to the package because it includes a $42 million request from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) to construct a 45,000 square foot building for the State Medical Examiner’s Office.
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The Senate Republican Caucus on Tuesday released their agenda for the 2012 session. Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman said this agenda continues the priorities outlined in the 2011 session, which focused on jobs, streamlining government, and protecting core services.
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2011 Jim Thorpe Award winner Morris Claiborne was honored on the floor of the state Senate on Tuesday. The Senate unanimously approved Senate Resolution 31 congratulating the cornerback from Louisiana State University.

As a junior, Claiborne recorded six interceptions and 173 interception return yards. His 274 career interception return yards ranks second in school history. He was a unanimous first-team All-American selection in 2011, and was selected as Defensive Player of the Year by Southeastern Conference coaches. read more.

Senate Education Chairman John Ford is working to restore a $5,000 stipend to Oklahoma teachers whove completed National Board Certification. Ford said ensuring those educators get what was promised is a top priority in the 2012 session.

I believe a promise made is a promise kept, said Ford. These are dedicated educators who have gone above and beyond what is required. In return, they were promised a $5,000 a year bonus for the duration of their National Board Certification. We need to honor that promise.

"My thoughts are with our families in the Tulsa area that are feeling the impact of American's restructuring. I know Oklahomans will rally around our neighbors during this tough time, just like we always do.

“Yet, with adversity always comes opportunity. We've been told this restructuring will help American keep thousands of jobs in Tulsa that otherwise would have been lost. For that we should be thankful.

When legislators return to the State Capitol next week to convene the 2012 session, lawmakers will be taking another look at a $25 million bond issue they originally authorized in 2009. That’s after the Council of Bond Oversight voted last week to require that a Concurrent Resolution be passed in order to have the original bonds issued.

Sen. Patrick Anderson applauded the Council’s decision, considering the significant changes in the proposal since it was first approved three years ago.
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