The Senate Republican Caucus on Tuesday released their agenda for the 2012 session. Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman said this agenda continues the priorities outlined in the 2011 session, which focused on jobs, streamlining government, and protecting core services.

2011 Jim Thorpe Award winner Morris Claiborne was honored on the floor of the state Senate on Tuesday. The Senate unanimously approved Senate Resolution 31 congratulating the cornerback from Louisiana State University.

As a junior, Claiborne recorded six interceptions and 173 interception return yards. His 274 career interception return yards ranks second in school history. He was a unanimous first-team All-American selection in 2011, and was selected as Defensive Player of the Year by Southeastern Conference coaches.

Senate Education Chairman John Ford is working to restore a $5,000 stipend to Oklahoma teachers whove completed National Board Certification. Ford said ensuring those educators get what was promised is a top priority in the 2012 session.

I believe a promise made is a promise kept, said Ford. These are dedicated educators who have gone above and beyond what is required. In return, they were promised a $5,000 a year bonus for the duration of their National Board Certification. We need to honor that promise.

"My thoughts are with our families in the Tulsa area that are feeling the impact of American's restructuring. I know Oklahomans will rally around our neighbors during this tough time, just like we always do.

“Yet, with adversity always comes opportunity. We've been told this restructuring will help American keep thousands of jobs in Tulsa that otherwise would have been lost. For that we should be thankful.

When legislators return to the State Capitol next week to convene the 2012 session, lawmakers will be taking another look at a $25 million bond issue they originally authorized in 2009. That’s after the Council of Bond Oversight voted last week to require that a Concurrent Resolution be passed in order to have the original bonds issued.

Sen. Patrick Anderson applauded the Council’s decision, considering the significant changes in the proposal since it was first approved three years ago.

Sen. Harry Coates is frustrated by recent suggestions that the legislature have the citizens of Oklahoma vote to pass a bond issue to fix the State Capitol building. Coates, who has been fighting for Capitol repairs for years, believes this is an issue that needs to be addressed by the legislature and quickly, not by the people in November.

“I applaud Insurance Commissioner Doak and state legislative leaders who have worked diligently over the last year to address this gap and ensure access to health coverage for our youngest citizens.

As a father and grandfather, I know how important it is for infants to have proper medical care. The care they receive in their first year will impact them the rest of their lives. This is why it’s so imperative that we make sure all of Oklahoma’s babies have access to high quality medical care and that can only be possible through having proper health coverage.

Senator David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, has introduced Senate Joint Resolution 75, which proposes an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution that would give local taxpayers or their elected representatives the final approval before any local tax dollars are spent. If approved by the Legislature, the amendment would appear on the November, 2012 ballot for consideration by the voters of Oklahoma. The proposal is dubbed the “Lincoln Amendment” after the President who declared that the American government was “by the people” and “for the people.”

Sen. Sean Burrage, Democratic Leader of the State Senate, issued the following statement after Department of Human Services Director Howard Hendrick announced he would retire from that position at the end of February.

“Howard Hendrick has spent a quarter of a century of his life in public service, first as a member of the State Senate for 12 years and then as DHS Director for the past 13 years. I want to thank him for that service and dedication and wish Howard and his family the very best as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

Each year, thousands of Oklahoma school students take their end-of-instruction tests in order to be able to graduate. In an effort to help more students get their high school diploma and provide educators with more classroom time for teaching, Sen. Harry Coates has filed Senate Bill 1093.