2007 Session Accomplishments

For the first time in Oklahoma history, the state senate was divided equally between Republicans and Democrats. I was not sure what to expect, but the 2007 session, while having its share of challenges like any other, proved to be very productive. There were moments of disagreement, long committee meetings and contentious debate. Yet every senator worked in a spirit of compromise and, in the end, we accomplished a great deal. I highlight some below.

Common Education

The Legislature invested an additional $132 million for public schools, an increase of 5.6%. We funded an across the board teacher pay increase with an additional salary adjustment for performance (merit-based pay). We bolstered support for nationally board certified teachers and set aside academic achievement awards for schools that perform especially well. After years of neglect, the 2007 Legislature also appropriated monies to shore up the under-funded teachers’ retirement system.

Educare

If children are to have the best chance to succeed, we need to pay more attention to their earliest years – the first 5 years when the human brain is best suited for rapid development and growth. I am very proud that Senate Democrats led the way for a $5 million investment in Educare, a public/private partnership with some of Oklahoma’s most generous philanthropists to help at-risk kids. The $5 million state appropriation will leverage an additional $10 million in private funds to offer educational, health and social services to low-income children aged five and under. Oklahoma is extremely fortunate to have two private foundations in particular to lead the way: the George Kaiser Foundation and the Inasmuch Foundation, founded by Edith Gaylord. I have visited Tulsa’s Educare Kendall Whittier facility on several occasions and look forward to additional facilities springing up across the state.

OHLAP

Thanks to the efforts of Senator Mike Morgan, we created a permanent funding source for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. This program provides tuition assistance to income eligible 8th, 9th and 10th graders (families with income less than $50,000) to attend any Oklahoma college or university. There are 15,000 kids a year who enroll in an Oklahoma college with the benefit of OHLAP. It’s a great program, and I’m proud to support it. If you would like more information, please click here.

AllKids

I am proud of my work as author of legislation to provide universal access to health insurance for all Oklahoma kids. Nothing as arbitrary as a child’s birth should determine whether a child can see a doctor for routine checkups or a sudden illness. It’s a national disgrace and a national failure to meet our social obligations. I am very proud that AllKids received bi-partisan support and am grateful to my colleague, Senator Brian Crain, and to Governor Brad Henry for their help.

Health Insurance

I also authored legislation to improve our state’s premium assistance plan for businesses, which have endured unsustainable health insurance rate increases. Under expanded new premium assistance plan, any business with 250 or fewer employees may qualify for a subsidy (or voucher) worth about 60% of the cost of health insurance for each eligible employee. The state is now applying for federal approval. Check out http://www.oepic.ok.gov/

Area Medical Schools

As Healthcare Subcommittee Appropriations co-Chair, I am proud to support the OSU and OU medical schools. OSU will be expanding its number of residents in Tulsa. The cost is $500,000 a year but after three years the federal government will pick up the tab. Given the shortage of physicians in our state it’s a good investment. In fact, I want to help both medical schools grow their number of residents by 25%. OU-Tulsa will continue to lead the way as the largest indigent care provider in the state. Senator Crain and I fought for and won $400,000 in additional funds that will leverage another $800,000 to expand school-based clinics and open a clinic in North Tulsa, where the needs of the underserved are particularly severe.