Press Releases

Oklahoma became the first state in the nation to recognize Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day when legislation was approved this spring. Sen. Paul Scott was the author of Senate Bill 230 creating the day to commemorate one of the state’s most popular industries.

“Oklahoma has a long, colorful history in aviation and women have played a major role in shaping that history,” said Scott, R-Duncan. “Women’s role in aviation needs to be celebrated and our young women today need to be introduced to this exciting industry and career opportunity.”
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The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday approved $17.7 million in funding for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to prevent provider rate cuts. The Senate also approved $26.5 million in additional funding for the Department of Human Services (DHS) to make up a portion of the agency’s funding struck down by the courts.
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State Senator Adam Pugh was presented with the Rising Star award at the State Chamber of Oklahoma’s Public Affairs Forum on December 12 in Oklahoma City.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Ron Sharp is concerned about the level of education being taught in Oklahoma’s public charter schools since charter school teachers are not required to be certified under current federal law.  For this reason, he has filed Senate Bill 881 to require all public schools, both traditional and charter, to employ only certified teachers and that those individuals only be allowed to teach the subjects in which they are certified.  read more.

First term State Senator James Leewright has been appointed to chair the Senate Business, Commerce and Tourism Committee.  Senate Pro Tempore Mike Schulz announced he tapped the Bristow Republican for the position last week. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Ron Sharp recently joined the state Department of Corrections and the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in honoring four of the facility’s outstanding correctional employees. 
Those honored included Lt. Clint Bennett of Midwest City, Capt. Christopher Burchett of Shawnee, Sgt. Robbie Hicks of McLoud, and Corporal Daniel Pianalto of Choctaw.  read more.

State Senator Micheal Bergstrom visited the Home of Hope in Vinita this week, where he toured the facility and had the opportunity to see firsthand the various programs the organization has to offer.

In 2015, the legislature approved Senate Bill 782 amending the 1999 Oklahoma Charter School Act to allow charter schools into rural school districts instead of just those in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Legislators were told that, under the legislation, local boards of education would be in control of whether charter schools could expand in their school districts but Sen. Ron Sharp says the bill actually took away local control and he has filed legislation to return control back to local school districts.
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Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz announced Tuesday appointments to fill vacancies in leadership positions in various Senate committees. The appointments are:

Senate Energy Committee:
Sen. Mark Allen, R-Spiro, chair
Sen. Eddie Fields, R-Wynona, vice-chair

Senate Transportation Committee:
Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, chair
Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, vice-chair

Senate Business Commerce and Tourism Committee:
Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, chair read more.