Press Releases

Efforts revealed to misuse education support staff salary funds

The teacher walk out last month, I believe, taught all those involved many things. As a senator, I was very appreciative of all those that took the time to come to my office to exercise their constitutionally-given right to come to their house, the state Capitol, and express their positions with regard to education. Of all the things I learned, the two most repeated needs expressed by educators and their supporters was a desire for smaller classroom sizes and more pay for support personnel. 

Senator Greg Treat, Majority Floor Leader and Republicans’ selection to serve as the next Senate leader, on Wednesday announced the senators who will round out his leadership team.

Treat said Senator Kim David, current Senate Appropriations Committee chair, will serve as the next Majority Floor Leader and that Senator Roger Thompson, current chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Finance, will serve as the next Appropriations Committee chair. David, the first woman to serve as Appropriations Committee chair, will be the first woman to serve as Majority Floor Leader. read more.

Senate Democratic Leader John Sparks released the following statement on the grand jury report and performance audit of the Oklahoma State Department of Health:

Sen. Paul Rosino is thrilled that the Aerospace Commerce Economic Services (ACES) program has been signed into law and industry leaders can get to work collaborating to grow the state’s second largest industry.
read more.

Sen. A.J. Griffin and Rep. Harold Wright applauded the signing of SB 1516, a continuation of the Lay Caregivers Act, which was passed in 2014. The Lay Caregivers Act allows hospital patients to designate a lay caregiver upon formal admission to a hospital facility and requires hospitals to notify the designated caregiver of the patients discharge to the patients residence or another licensed facility. The law also requires hospitals to consult with designated caregivers regarding the aftercare needs of hospital patients.

Over the last eight years we have seen decisions from the governor that are out of step with the will of the people, with the Republican party platform, and with the Constitution.Sen. Nathan Dahm

Broken Arrow, OK Sen. Nathan Dahm has started the process for legislators to call themselves back into session to pass legislation vetoed by Gov. Mary Fallin.
read more.

In response to multiple media inquiries regarding Senate Bill 1203 and the story in yesterdays Sunday Oklahoman, Senator Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, issued the following statement today:

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Governor signed legislation Thursday modifying child abuse reporting requirements.  House Bill 2259, by Sen. Ron Sharp and Rep. Dell Kerbs, requires individuals, especially educators, to report suspected child abuse or neglect of minors immediately to the DHS Child Abuse Hotline and those 18 years or older to law enforcement. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Ron Sharp had a 100 percent voting record for the 2018 legislative session. 

“I take my job as a state Senator very seriously just as I would any other job.  The people of Senate District 17 have entrusted me with a great responsibility and I don’t ever want to let them down,” said Sharp, R-Shawnee.  “The needs of my constituents and our district are my highest priority, and I look forward to continuing to represent them.”

A bill to provide economic protection to small communities by requiring economic impact studies of transportation bypass projects was vetoed Wednesday. Legislators and thousands of citizens, business and community leaders in Muskogee are outraged by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) decision to construct a bypass along US Highway 69, which could cost the community millions in lost business, tourism and tax revenue in the future.
read more.

A bill to provide economic protection to small communities by requiring economic impact studies of transportation bypass projects was vetoed Wednesday. Legislators and thousands of citizens, business and community leaders in Muskogee are outraged by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) decision to construct a bypass along US Highway 69, which could cost the community millions in lost business, tourism and tax revenue in the future.
read more.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The legislature approved much-needed pay raises for teachers and school support staff this session. Sen. Rob Standridge and other legislators are growing concerned after hearing plans by multiple districts that want to give their administrators pay raises meant for support staff. The legislators want to ensure the pay raises are dispersed correctly and want to encourage the public to hold local school boards and administrators accountable as these decisions are made in next few months. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Student leaders and advisors representing the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and Student Council (STUCO) from DeWitt Waller Middle School recently visited the State Capitol.  Twenty three students from the NJHS Leadership class and five STUCO officers spent the day with Sen. Roland Pederson and other legislators to learn more about state government and the legislative process.

The Senate Democratic Caucus announced today they have elected Sen. Kay Floyd (D-Oklahoma City) to serve as Senate Democratic Leader for the 57th Oklahoma Legislature.

Floyd, who currently serves as Senate Democratic Caucus Chair, will succeed Sen. John Sparks (D-Norman) in January of 2019. Sen. Floyd will be the first woman to lead a caucus in the Oklahoma Senate.

On Thursday, the Senate gave unanimous approval to legislation modifying child abuse reporting requirements. House Bill 2259, by Rep. Dell Kerbs and Sen. Ron Sharp, requires individuals, especially educators, to report suspected child abuse or neglect of those 17 years or younger immediately to the DHS Child Abuse Hotline and those 18 years or older to law enforcement.
read more.

Senate Democratic Leader John Sparks released the following statement on behalf of the Senate Democratic Caucus:

“After a decade of failed tax cuts and revenue failures, this session the legislature finally started to change course. For the first time in recent memory the legislature acted on new revenue and the enacted budget does not include cuts to state agencies. While this is an improvement, we should not be celebrating simply because we are beginning to repair the damage.

More Oklahoma Lottery improvements became law this year, including a bill projected to increase education funding by up to $6.5 million a year by allowing lottery tickets to be bought with debit cards.

Senate Bill 1303, by Senate Assistant Majority Floor Leader Eddie Fields and Rep. Chad Caldwell, modernizes lottery player convenience by allowing debit card purchases of lottery tickets at lottery retailers. The bill was signed by Gov. Mary Fallin on Wednesday.

Oklahoma Senate Republican leaders commented on legislative accomplishments as the 2018 session wrapped up Thursday. The leaders pointed to the largest teacher pay raise in state history, increased education funding, and significant criminal justice reforms as major highlights.
read more.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Health and Human Services Committee confirmed the appointment of Charles E. “Chuck” Skillings of Shawnee to the State Board of Health Monday. Sen. Ron Sharp carried the nomination in the Senate for Gov. Mary Fallin.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Health and Human Services Committee reconfirmed Nisha L. Wilson of Choctaw to the State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure Monday to serve a three-year term ending October 31, 2019. Sen. Ron Sharp carried her nomination in the Senate for Gov. Mary Fallin.