Press Releases

The Oklahoma State School Boards Association (OSSBA) recognized Sen. Dewayne Pemberton for his dedication to Oklahoma schools this session by naming him Legislator of the Year. The Muskogee legislator was presented with the award at the annual OSSBA/CCOSA Conference last Friday at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.

Sen. Ron Sharp, a member of the Senate Appropriation Subcommittee on Education, said Monday his recent correspondence with the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board (OSVCSB) verifies his concerns of further illegal enrollment practices by Epic Charter Schools in order to receive additional state funding. The state’s largest virtual charter school is currently under investigation for fraud and embezzlement.

OKLHOMA CITY – State Sen. Mark Allen has received a score of 100 percent on the 41st annual Oklahoma Conservative Index.  Allen, R-Spiro, was one of only four members of the State Legislature to receive a perfect score. 

In addition to his perfect voting record on conservative issues, Allen was also the authored of one of the ten bills that resulted in this year’s index ratings.

Five members of the Oklahoma Legislature have been honored for their efforts to improve safety in workplaces throughout the state. Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City, Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, and Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, have received the Workplace Safety Champion award for 2019 from the Oklahoma Workplace Safety Coalition. read more.

A new law takes effect this November 1 that will better protect stranded motorists and wrecker services on Oklahoma roads and highways.  The legislation, by Senate principal author, Sen. Brent Howard, and House principal author, Rep. Charles Ortega, directs drivers to change into lanes that are not adjacent to the lane in which a stationary vehicle is displaying flashing lights.  If no extra lane exists, drivers are to slow down and proceed cautiously. 

State Sen. Kevin Matthews, Chair of the 1921 Race Massacre Centennial Commission, announced Friday that Tulsan Phil Armstrong had been chosen to serve as project director. The Commission will facilitate actions, activities, and events that commemorate and educate citizens in Oklahoma and throughout the nation about the history surrounding the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in an area that was once known as the nation’s Black Wall Street.

A ceremonial bill signing held at the state Capitol included Senate Bill 441, by Sen. Marty Quinn, which is aimed at moving more Oklahoma schools back to five-day school weeks.  The legislation was identified as Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat as a top agenda item during the 2019 session.

OKLAHOMA CITY –Sen. Roland Pederson joined Gov. Kevin Stitt for the ceremonial signing of two important measures for rural Oklahoma.

Senate Bill 164 will allow a fire protection district board of directors to increase from 7 or 9 members to ensure better geographic and population representation. The board of directors can also be increased by petition. Members’ terms will be staggered so that no more than two expire in a year.

State Sen. Brent Howard was on hand for a ceremonial bill signing recently held at the Capitol for House Bill 2468, creating the Oklahoma Gestational Agreement Act.  Howard, R-Altus, is principal Senate author of the measure and worked with House principal author, Rep. Jason Dunnington, D-Oklahoma City, to get the measure approved and signed into law during the 2019 legislative session.