Press Releases

Starting this Saturday, two new laws go into effect that Sen. David Holt believes will promote greater government transparency for Oklahoma citizens. Holt, R-Oklahoma City, was Senate author of those measures as well another new law taking effect Saturday intended to combat Oklahoma’s domestic violence crisis.
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The Senate Finance Committee held an interim study examining state tax incentives for wind power on Tuesday at the State Capitol. Finance Chair Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, and Sen. John Ford, R-Bartlesville, who presided over the hearing, issued the following statements after the meeting was adjourned.

State Sen. John Ford said Thursday that Oklahoma should consider replacing the current End of Instruction tests for high school graduation with the ACT. Thats after the State Regents for Higher Education voted to approve Oklahomas Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS) as being college and career ready based on alignment to ACT college and career ready standards.

President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman today issued the following statement on the passing of former Senator Jack Short. Short, a Republican, represented District 46 in the Oklahoma Senate from 1966 to 1970, and subsequently had a lengthy career as an attorney.

“On behalf of the Senate, I would like to offer our condolences to the family of Jack Short,” said Bingman, R-Sapulpa. “He served his state and his clients well over the course of a long and distinguished career, and his work will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

More than 20 veterans commit suicide every day in the United States and an estimated 60,000 are homeless. Sen. Frank Simpson and Rep. Tommy Hardin will be holding a joint interim study beginning next week to develop a better understanding of the two issues and figure out a solution to better assist Oklahoma veterans.

Simpson, a retired Navy veteran, said the statistics are disturbing and Oklahoma’s veterans deserve better.
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Sen. Josh Brecheen, R-Colgate, today issued the following statement in response to a ruling of the Supreme Court against Oklahoma’s ban on same-sex marriage.

“The voices of Oklahoma citizens have once again been ignored today by federal judges. Oklahoma voters made their beliefs very clear in 2004 when they overwhelmingly voted against legalizing gay marriage. The majority of us as Oklahomans believe in the traditional definition of marriage, which is between one man and one woman, and that strong belief should be honored.