Press Releases

TULSA – Senator Allison Ikley-Freeman, D-Tulsa, released the following statement addressing the recent flooding in Tulsa:

“Today we received an update from the Army Corps of Engineers indicating releases from the Keystone Dam are falling and the level of the Arkansas River is dropping. While this is welcome news, it is important for residents to be aware the situation is still very serious, and health and safety risks remain. As floodwaters recede, neighborhoods will be inspected for safety before evacuated residents are able to return.

Legislation to add school nurses or other designated employees to those who can administer life-saving opiate antagonists has been signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Current law includes first-responders, such as emergency medical technicians, law enforcement and firefighters.

Senator Allison Ikley-Freeman, D-Tulsa, released the following statement addressing the recent flooding in Tulsa:

“Today we received an update from the Army Corps of Engineers indicating releases from the Keystone Dam are falling and the level of the Arkansas River is dropping. While this is welcome news, it is important for residents to be aware the situation is still very serious, and health and safety risks remain. As floodwaters recede, neighborhoods will be inspected for safety before evacuated residents are able to return.

State Sen. Rob Standridge announced he’ll hold a town hall meeting on Monday, June 10, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the Lowry Room of the Pioneer Library at 225 North Webster Avenue. Standridge said the main focus will be on transportation.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat has named Senator Roger Thompson as co-chair of the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) oversight committee.

Senate Bill 1, signed into law recently, created LOFT to serve as an independent office to provide the Legislature and the public with objective data on agency budgets and programs. LOFT will be overseen by bipartisan committee of Senate and House members. The Senate president pro tempore and the House speaker each name a co-chairs and members of the oversight committee.
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State Sen. Kevin Matthews announced Friday that the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission will host a groundbreaking ceremony of the Pathway to Hope on Thursday, May 30 at 5:30 p.m.   Matthews is chairman of the Commission.

“The Pathway to Hope walkway will serve to connect and tell the story of the buildings, exhibits and history of the Greenwood area in preparation of the 100th anniversary of the race massacre in 2021,” said Matthews, D-Tulsa.

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom took to the air today with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol to tour flood damage in his district by plane. 

In his first legislative session as Senate Appropriations Chair, Sen. Roger Thompson helped carve out priorities for the 2020 fiscal year budget and determine how best to fund and support key agenda items aimed at moving Oklahoma forward—the end result is a balanced budget that made new investments in core services of government, increased emergency savings and accomplished it all without a tax increase.

“This legislative session was a very successful one. I appreciated the way everyone worked together for the good of the people of the great State of Oklahoma.

The Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission invites the public to participate in a community input meeting on Tuesday, May 28 at 6 p.m. at the Greenwood Cultural Center located at 322 N. Greenwood.  That’s according to Sen. Kevin Matthews, Chair of the Commission.

“It was clear that our community is eager to develop sustainable economic development and mobility solutions. We invite all who are interested to be a part of the process of finding the solutions that work best for the Greenwood District and north Tulsa,” said Matthews, D-Tulsa.

Sen. Paul Rosino applauded the legislature this week for approving funding to further boost the state’s growing aerospace industry. The budget included increased resources for the Aerospace Commerce Economic Services (ACES) Program, which was created through legislation by the retired Navy veteran and signed into law in 2018.
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More than half of the members of the Oklahoma State Senate represent communities impacted by this week’s storms, which included tornadoes and severe flooding across the state. On Wednesday those members issued the following statement:

“Although we are at the Capitol completing work on the 2019 session, we are all monitoring the weather situations in our districts, staying in contact with state and local emergency management officials, first responders and other officials as situations continue to unfold.

Senator Paul Scott, R-Duncan, is the author of Senate Bill 101 to update Oklahoma’s barbering and massage therapist licensing rules. The bill went to conference and has passed both the Senate and House committee and is now heading to the House for a floor vote. If approved, it will then go on to the Governor for consideration.
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Oklahoma is second in the nation for nursing home residents with low care needs who could be better served in home and community-based settings. The Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 888, by Sen. Kim David, Tuesday to provide seniors and their families options that best suit the individual’s long-term healthcare needs while saving the state money.
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The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to legislation that preserves and strengthens landmark workers’ compensation reforms adopted in 2013. House Bill 2367 passed unanimously and now goes to the governor’s desk for consideration.

Senator Julie Daniels, Senate Judiciary Committee chair, is the Senate author of the bill and said HB 2367 clarifies and secures the reforms while addressing a number of issues that have arisen since passage of the original bill.
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The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday gave final approval to the state budget, which includes huge investments in public school classrooms, a teacher and state employee pay raise, as well as significant investments in criminal justice reforms all while saving $200 million.

The Fiscal Year 2020 budget bill, House Bill 2765, passed on a 37-11 vote.
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The Oklahoma Senate on Monday passed a bill that provides increased classroom time for students beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.

Senate Bill 441 was one of four agenda items of Senate Republicans for the 2019 session. The bill passed the Senate on Monday by a 30-16 vote.
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OKLAHOMA CITY–A budget agreement was announced on Wednesday at the State Capitol that includes increased funding for education, transportation, public safety and health care, among many other areas. The budget for Fiscal Year 2020 also earmarks $200 million for Oklahoma’s savings account, bringing rainy day funding to more than $1 billion. State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom says the budget is one of the strongest in recent years, giving more support in critical areas, while still showing fiscal restraint by having enough left over to boost the state’s savings account.

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Darcy Jech is commending the Senate’s approval of several gubernatorial executive nominations this month.  Elk City community members Bob Newcomb, Dr. Keith Fuchs and Joe D. Hall were all tapped to serve by Gov. Stitt, with Jech carrying the nominations through the confirmation process.   David Dyson was also nominated by Gov. Stitt earlier this year, but his nomination did not require Senate confirmation.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Force 50 Foundation recently recognized and honored numerous individuals, organizations and corporations who have distinguished themselves in the service of Oklahoma veterans. Sen. Paul Rosino was among those honored at their second annual Veteran’s Service Awards Banquet. The retired Navy veteran received the Distinguished Service Award for his work while in the legislature to improve the lives of veterans and their families in Oklahoma.