Press Releases

In the wake of the tragic school shooting in Florida, Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz and Lt. Governor Todd Lamb met this week to further the conversation on school security and safety.

In 2012, Lt. Governor Lamb chaired the Oklahoma Commission on School Security (OCSS), which issued a detailed report of findings and recommendations on school security and safety issues. Lamb said he plans to meet again with those who served on the 2012 commission, and whose work has served as a national model for other states studying school security issues.
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Sen. Casey Murdock was officially sworn into office Monday to represent Senate District 27. The Felt Republican was sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice Douglas Combs.

“I want to thank the citizens of northwest Oklahoma for entrusting me to continue my public service in the State Senate,” said Murdock. “I’m ready to bring my legislative experience to this hallowed body to continue working to protect our natural resources, strengthen our schools and grow our economy.”
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Senator John Sparks on behalf of the Senate Democratic Caucus released the following statement on the budget cuts passed by the Senate on Wednesday:

Sen. Ron Sharp carried the nomination last Thursday of long-time public safety officer Major Rusty Rhoades to serve as the Commissioner of Public Safety. The Senate Public Safety Committee approved the nomination unanimously.

“Major Rhoades has dedicated his life to serving the people of Oklahoma and improving public safety throughout the state,” said Sharp, R-Shawnee. “He will be a strong leader for the Department of Public Safety and we look forward to seeing his vision for how to strengthen and continue to improve public safety in our state.”
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State Sen. Kevin Matthews will announce the completion of a curriculum to be taught statewide related to the 1921 Race Riot on Tuesday, February 20 at Douglass High School (900 North Martin Luther King Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) at 10:15am. Matthews is the founder and Chair of the 1921 Centennial Commission that created the curriculum to educate the public about the riot, which is also referred to as a massacre by locals and many who have studied this tragedy.
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The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday will hold the first of a series of hearings to further review the budgets of the top appropriated state agencies.
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On Tuesday afternoon, the Senate Transportation Committee approved two bills by Sen. Kevin Matthews to bring high speed rail to Tulsa and eventually throughout the state. Senate Bill 1082 creates the “High Speed Transit Rail Expansion Commission” and Senate Bill 1379 directs the Department of Transportation to enter into agreements for light rail passenger service in Tulsa.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Jason Smalley and Rep. Kevin Wallace have planned several legislative breakfasts throughout Seminole and Pottawatomie Counties in March and April.  The public is welcome and encouraged to attend these to get legislative updates as well as ask questions or share their concerns about legislative matters. 

Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, R-Altus, released the following comment regarding Governor Mary Fallin's State of the State address:
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Sen. Frank Simpson announced today that he will ensure that teachers at the School for the Deaf and School for the Blind are included in teacher pay raise legislation this session.

“Our teachers at the schools for our deaf and blind children perform a wonderful job. Being special education teachers, they face challenges that teachers in our public schools may not face,” said Simpson, R-Springer. “If any teacher deserves a pay raise, it is these devoted teachers. I will work to make sure they are not overlooked.”
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OKLAHOMA CITY— State Senator Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, was presented with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Distinguished Service Award on Thursday, February 1 in Oklahoma City.

Allison Ikley-Freeman is now officially on the job as State Senator for District 37. The West Tulsa Democrat was sworn in during a ceremony at the Capitol on Thursday morning as friends, family and other supporters looked on from the Senate gallery.
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