Press Releases

Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz commented on the 2017 session, saying great policy bookended a session dominated by a $1 billion budget shortfall.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Southeastern Oklahoma State University head baseball coach Mike Metheny was recognized May 9 with a citation on the State Senate floor for being named the NCAA Division II All-Time winningest coach, according to State Senator Darcy Jech. 

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz praised the final passage of Senate Bill 867, the Oklahoma Energy Jobs Act of 2017. Schulz said the measure would generate millions of dollars in revenue for the state and spur the creation of thousands of jobs in the Oklahoma oil patch.

Gov. Fallin recently signed legislation to allow certain military members to carry a handgun without a handgun license. Sen. Kim David is the author of Senate Bill 35 and says military members’ extensive training with weapons makes the requirement of having a gun license unnecessary.
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On Tuesday, May 16, a tornado touched down in south Elk City, destroying at least 40 homes and heavily damaging several others.  State Senator Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, Senate District 26, issued the following statement Wednesday.

State Sen. Kay Floyd has been awarded the 2017 Guardian Award by the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women (OCSW). The presentation took place Wednesday at the state Capitol. The award is given each year to an elected official who has made significant governmental contributions to guarding, protecting and preserving the rights of women and families.
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Gov. Mary Fallin and legislative leaders discuss revenue agreement at
Capitol press conference Tuesday afternoon.


Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz discusses revenue agreement.


Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Kim David discusses revenue agreement.

Gov. Fallin and legislative leaders discuss revenue agreement

The Oklahoma Senate on Monday approved a budget plan that responsibly addresses the FY ‘18 shortfall, holds education agencies, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Human Services harmless, and minimizes cuts to other state agencies.

Legislation improving the state’s sex offender registry law has been signed by the governor. Senate Bill 217, by Sen. AJ Griffin and Rep. Mike Osburn, modifies Oklahoma’s current sex offender registration law to streamline the notification process between local law enforcement, the courts and the Department of Corrections (DOC) and, in certain cases, will require notification of the Department of Human Services (DHS) as well. It also directs courts assigning sex offender registration levels to follow the guidelines used by the state’s sex offender level assignment committee.
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An Oklahoma Senate committee on Tuesday gave approval to a major jobs bill from Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz that is anticipated to spur a significant increase in oil and gas drilling in the state of Oklahoma, creating thousands of new energy jobs and boosting state and local revenues.
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The Senate gave unanimous final approval Tuesday to legislation modifying Oklahoma’s Promise, the state-sponsored tuition program. Sen. Jason Smalley is the author of Senate Bill 529, which he said makes necessary changes to the program to protect the integrity and stability of the program.

“This bill tackles a number of areas concerning Oklahoma’s Promise to ensure that those students who truly need financial assistance can get it while also being inclusive of those degrees that take longer than the average program,” said Smalley, R-Stroud.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Student officers representing the National Junior Honor Society and Student Council from DeWitt Waller Middle School recently visited the State Capitol.  They were joined by several local 8th graders and teachers, spending time with Sen. Roland Pederson and other legislators.

Pederson, R-Burlington, hosted the group as they learned more about state government and the legislative process.

Legislation was signed earlier this week to better help at-risk youth in Oklahoma public schools. Senate Bill 632, by Sen. Ron Sharp and Rep. Katie Henke, creates the “Education Compact for Kids in State Care” and ensures children placed in the care of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) or the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) do not have their education interrupted by their personal circumstances.
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Tourism is big business, not just worldwide, but also here in Oklahoma.  Research has shown that worldwide one in every 11 people are employed in the travel and tourism industry  This industry supports more than 284 million jobs and contributes more than $7.2 trillion to the global economy.

The Senate gave unanimous approval Wednesday to legislation to create a state veteran’s cemetery in Ardmore. Sen. Frank Simpson and Rep. Pat Ownbey are the authors of Senate Bill 543, which Simpson says will provide more options for veterans.
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