Audio

A measure that would redefine criteria for state citizenship won approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

“We’re trying to remedy what we consider to be an incorrect interpretation of citizenship requirements by the federal government,” said Sen. Ralph Shortey, R-Oklahoma City. “We cannot change the federal government’s definition of citizenship, but we can change the criteria for state citizenship. We want to urge Congress to reconsider birthright citizenship, while discouraging illegal immigrants from coming to Oklahoma.”

State Sen. Josh Brecheen has won committee approval for legislation aimed at better shielding mourners of fallen soldiers from protestors. Senate Bill 406 was approved unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

Current law bans protestors from picketing funerals for an hour before and after the service. They’re also prohibited from picketing any closer than 500 feet of where the funeral is being held. Brecheen’s legislation increases the moratorium on picketing to two hours before or after a service and increases the distance to 1000 feet.
read more.

State Sen. Clark Jolley has won approval from the Senate Education Committee for a pair of bills aimed at improving Oklahoma’s public schools. Jolley said Senate Bill 346 would prohibit social promotion to better ensure children can actually read at grade level before moving to the next grade.
read more.

State Sen. Clark Jolley has won approval from the Senate Education Committee for a pair of bills aimed at improving Oklahoma’s public schools. Jolley said Senate Bill 346 would prohibit social promotion to better ensure children can actually read at grade level before moving to the next grade.
read more.

Senate Education Chairman John Ford offered a second bill on Monday to restructure the State Board of Education. The measure, Senate Bill 435, was approved by the Education Committee by a vote of 9 to 5.

“Up until 1971, the Board included the State Superintendent, the Governor, the Attorney General and the Secretary of State,” Ford explained. “After that time the law was changed to make the Board of Education appointed by the Governor. Senate Bill 435 would take the Board back to its original structure.”

State Sen. David Holt says the results of a just-released poll show Oklahomans strongly support his legislation to reduce the state’s income tax rate. SoonerPoll.com and the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs released an independent, scientific, statewide poll on Friday that shows Oklahomans want the Legislature to lower the income tax and boost Oklahoma’s economy as a result.
read more.

The Senate Education Committee has given approval to a bill to give the State Superintendent greater control over policy, while increasing accountability to the public. Senate Bill 718 was approved Monday 12 to 5. The measure was authored by Sen. President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and Senate Education Chairman John Ford.
read more.

In one of its first orders of business for the 2011 Legislative Session, the State Senate unanimously approved Senate Resolution 2 honoring the life of the country’s 40th President, Ronald Reagan, and recognizing the 100th anniversary of his birth. The resolution, by Sen. Cliff Branan, also designates February 6-12, 2011 as “Ronald Reagan Week” in the State of Oklahoma.
read more.

2010 Jim Thorpe Award winner Patrick Peterson was honored on the floor of the state Senate on Monday. The Senate unanimously approved Senate Resolution 1, recognizing and commending the standout cornerback from Louisiana State University.