Press Releases

On Sunday Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, sent a letter on behalf of the Senate Democratic Caucus to Governor Kevin Stitt urging him to take stronger statewide action on COVID-19.

The Honorable Kevin Stitt
Governor of Oklahoma
Oklahoma State Capitol
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

Dear Governor Stitt:

On behalf of the Oklahoma Senate Democratic Caucus, I am writing to urge you to take further action to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Oklahoma.

State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, issued the following statement Saturday on the passing of former U.S. Senator, Dr. Tom Coburn.  Standridge wrote the introduction to Dr. Coburn’s book, “Smashing the DC Monopoly: Using Article V to Restore Freedom and Stop Runaway Government.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat commented on the passing of former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn: 

“One of the greatest honors of my life was to have known and worked for Dr. Tom Coburn. He was a mentor to me and lived out a great example of how to serve with conviction, honor and compassion. Whether it was fighting for the unborn or the next generation of Americans, he was unshakeable in his convictions, regardless of the extreme political or public pressures, and was successful in pulling America back to its core values and principles."

Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, issued the following statement on behalf of the Oklahoma Senate Democratic Caucus:

Oklahoma Senator Paul Rosino on Tuesday said he is recovering and doing well after testing positive for COVID-19. Rosino was not present at the Senate last week, nor was he among the senators or Senate personnel who underwent testing on Tuesday, March 17, after a Senate staffer tested positive for COVID-19.

The leader of the Oklahoma Senate released the following statement:

“The Oklahoma Senate will remain closed through Friday, March 27. During this time, we are working hard, be it remotely, to help deliver essential state services and to meet the needs of our constituents during this health crisis. Senators and our staff remain in constant contact with the governor and other executive branch officials in health care and education, our federal delegation and various leaders from key private sector industries as we work to address this serious health care crisis.”

The leader of the Oklahoma Senate released the following statement:

“The Oklahoma Senate today learned that someone in the Senate has tested positive for COVID-19. While the risk to a majority of Senate personnel and senators remains low, per the recommendation and under the guidance of health officials, we are taking appropriate measures.

The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved legislation temporarily revising Open Meeting laws so that some members of a public body could participate in public meetings via videoconference and teleconference.

State Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement on Monday on her decision to work remotely to better protect a family member following reports of further spread of COVID-19 in Oklahoma.

“Senate is in session today, but I will not be present. I wanted to take a moment to explain why my absence is leading by example.

House and Senate leaders on Monday announced restricted access to the Capitol building in response to the COVID-19 challenge in Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA CITY -The chairs of the Legislative Veterans Caucus and the Senate and House Committees on Veterans and Military Affairs are expressing their condolences after the passing of Staff Sgt. Marshal D. Roberts, of Owasso. The 28-year-old Oklahoma Air National Guardsman was killed in a rocket attack in Iraq on Wednesday, March 11.  

A measure designating the oldest highway to pass through Oklahoma as the Historic Jefferson Highway has been approved by the Senate and now moves to the House for consideration.

The Senate strengthened protections for the unborn Thursday with the passage of the Senate Bill 1859.  Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan, authored the bill to increase accountability of doctors administering abortions in Oklahoma. 

A bill to help Oklahomans strapped by the ever-increasing costs of prescription drugs has cleared the full Senate.  State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, is principal author of Senate Bill 940, creating the Prescription Drug Safety and Cost Reduction Pilot Program Act.  The bill was approved on Thursday.

The Senate has voted to strengthen penalties against those who sell intimate images or videos without the subject’s knowledge or consent. Sen. Kim David, R-Porter, said Senate Bill 1462 will protect victims from continual embarrassment and other negative impacts from the public sharing of such private pictures and videos.

The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday unanimously advanced legislation directing the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to coordinate resources and functions more closely.

The Oklahoma Senate advanced legislation Wednesday aimed at updating the state’s civil service code, which has not seen significant updates since 1982.

Under current law, Oklahomans with state occupational licenses or certifications who are delinquent on their income taxes face possible nonrenewal. To ensure these individuals can afford to pay their back taxes Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan, authored Senate Bill 1816, which passed out of the Senate Wednesday.

The Senate has approved legislation to help keep emergency certified teachers in the classroom and strengthen bullying prevention in Oklahoma schools.  Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, is the author of the two bills.  

In an effort to continue growing the state’s economy and address the teacher shortage, the Senate approved two reciprocal licensing reforms Wednesday.  Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, is the author of the measures to recognize the out-of-state occupational licenses and teaching certificates of qualified individuals moving to Oklahoma.