Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, R-Altus, released the following comment regarding Governor Mary Fallin's State of the State address:

The Senate has completed filing bills for the Second Session of the 56th Legislature. A total of 706 Senate bills were filed along with 23 Senate Joint Resolutions. In 2017, a total of 831 Senate bills and 46 Senate Joint Resolutions were filed.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, R-Altus, on Thursday announced the full membership of Senate committees. The committee assignments are effective through the end of the 56th Legislature.

The committee assignments are as follows:
Agriculture and Wildlife Committee
Senator Larry Boggs, Chair
Senator Josh Brecheen, Vice Chair
Senator Eddie Fields
Senator Darcy Jech
Senator Chris Kidd
Senator Roland Pederson
Senator Dewayne Pemberton
Senator Paul Scott
Senator Wayne Shaw
Senator Frank Simpson
Senator Randy Bass

Senate Democratic Leader John Sparks on Thursday said committee assignments for members of his caucus had been finalized. Each member will serve on multiple committees as well as serving on the Senate Appropriations Committee during the 2018 legislative session.

The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday approved $17.7 million in funding for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to prevent provider rate cuts. The Senate also approved $26.5 million in additional funding for the Department of Human Services (DHS) to make up a portion of the agency’s funding struck down by the courts.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz said a new commission that will conduct performance audits of state agencies will offer lawmakers independent data to improve the management and fiscal affairs and operations of the biggest state agencies.

Paul Rosino is now officially on the job as State Senator for District 45. The Oklahoma City Republican was sworn in during a ceremony at the Capitol on Wednesday as friends, family and other supporters looked on from the Senate gallery.

I am extremely grateful to the citizens of District 45 for entrusting me to be their voice in the Senate, Rosino said. Im looking forward to promoting legislation to help create more jobs for our district and our state, help our veterans, expand our economy and properly fund education, public safety, and other core services.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, R-Altus, released the following comment on the governor's veto of the revised FY'18 budget:

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz commented on the Senate’s passage of HB 1019, the revised general appropriations bill that closes the FY’18 budget shortfall:

The Oklahoma Senate Democratic Leader, Sen. John Sparks, D-Norman, issued a statement today, commenting on the failure of HB 1054x in the House today:

“Today’s failure of the ‘A+’ revenue package is undoubtedly disappointing and frustrating. However, now is not the time for us to give up and settle on cash and cuts as a short-term fix for our long-term budget problem. Now is the time for us to redouble our efforts, push forward, and find a new path to a long-term budget solution which will protect the most basic, core government functions and services.