Even though Oklahoma requires adults to use child passenger restraints when their children are riding in vehicles, too many Oklahoma kids are not properly restrained, resulting in far too many injuries and deaths in our state. That’s according to Sen. Randy Bass, Senate author of House Bill 1847, which was approved Friday by the full Senate. The measure clarifies state law, with the aim of helping parents better understand the safest way to restrain their children when they’re riding in a car or truck.

“The most important thing we needed to do this year was fully fund our schools. But, yet again, we didn’t do that. We’re still kicking the can down the road when it comes to funding our schools appropriately.

“The teachers and parents who rallied here this Spring weren’t here to say, ‘You’re doing a great job! Keep doing what you’re doing!’ They came here to say, ‘Do your job! You’re not doing enough! We need help!’ But once again, the Republicans didn’t listen.

The Oklahoma House and Senate have both given final approval to House Bill 1037 by Rep. George Faught, R-Muskogee, Rep. Ken Walker, R-Tulsa, Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore. HB 1037 creates a framework in the Open Records Act for the handling of law enforcement videos captured by body-worn cameras. Last year, the Legislature passed legislation that made it explicitly clear that all law enforcement videos filmed by dash-mounted or body-worn cameras would be subject to the Open Records Act, with some common sense exceptions.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Kyle Loveless, R-Oklahoma City, today issued the following statement regarding the passage of the bill to fund the completion of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman on Thursday issued the following statement regarding the passage of House Bill 2237, which would authorize a $25 million bond to complete the museum facility, end the state’s ongoing appropriations for operations, and divest the state of the property.

Legislative leaders Tuesday announced a $7.1 billion budget deal to fund Oklahoma government for fiscal year 2016.

“This budget reflects the priorities of the legislature,” said Sen. Kyle Loveless, R- Oklahoma City. “Education again received more than 50 percent of the appropriated funds, with nearly 35 percent going straight to common education. I am thankful for the leadership of Chairman Jolley as we continue to fund government in a way that is responsible with the taxpayers’ dollars.”

The state Senate on Tuesday approved legislation that would provide funding for construction of the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, better known as OKPOP. Authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, Senate Bill 839 would provide a $25 million bond for construction of the museum, which will require no new state appropriations to fund operations.

The full Senate has given final approval to legislation that will end the five-year ad valorem tax exemption for new wind farms beginning January 1, 2017. Senate Bill 498, by Sen. Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Earl Sears, R-Bartlesville, was approved unanimously on Friday. Mazzei said the bill will ultimately save approximately $500 million over ten years.

There is no place in our society for domestic abuse and violence against women. Our party needs to send the right message to women, and take a strong stand on this issue. These are serious crimes that affect thousands of Oklahomans every year. This body has worked hard to establish penalties fitting for such crimes, and we want the actions of our party to be reflective of our attitude regarding the serious nature of domestic abuse as a problem in Oklahoma. Crimes such as this cannot be trivialized or explained away. Domestic abuse tears apart families and leaves lasting emotional scars.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman has introduced legislation that would provide funding for construction of the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, better known as OKPOP. Senate Bill 839 would provide a $25 million bond issue for construction of the facility, which will be self-sustaining under a comprehensive business plan.

Bingman said with historically low interest rates, the state has a rare opportunity to build a Smithsonian-quality museum under a business plan that will require no new ongoing funding from the state.