For Immediate Release: June 2, 2009

Senate Review by Senator Bill Brown

While it wasn’t perfect, the 2009 legislative session brought landmark reforms that will make Oklahoma a friendlier environment for business and industry while ultimately saving taxpayers millions by reducing waste and inefficiencies.  The session saw the passage of a landmark tort reform proposal and a partnership to save the OSU Medical Center in Tulsa.  I believe legislation passed this year will benefit Oklahomans for many years to come, and I’m proud to have been a part of this effort.

The lawsuit reform proposal recently signed into law by the Governor will provide an important boost to economic development, while keeping more physicians in the state and guaranteeing access to the courts for individuals who have truly been wronged.  Passage of this measure marked the culmination of an effort many years in the making, and puts the state on a more level competitive playing field with surrounding states.

Other important government reforms included legislation ending the Senate’s tag agency patronage system by preventing lawmakers from unilaterally recommending tag agents to the Oklahoma Tax Commission.  We also enacted legislation requiring forfeiture of benefits by public officials convicted of crimes while serving in office.

Public safety must be the principal priority for government, and a number of important public safety reforms were passed this year.  Senate Bill 1064 bans cellular phones in prison.  Senate Bill 1020 increases punishments for domestic abuse and child pornography, while another measure expands the class of criminals subject to DNA sampling.  This year’s session also saw the creation of a statewide Silver Alert for missing senior citizens, similar to the Amber Alerts for missing children.  Another very important measure mandates that illegal aliens serve 1/3 of their sentence and then be deported to their home country – this expands the number of available prison beds and will save Oklahoma taxpayers millions of dollars each year.

The 2009 session was a strong success for Senate Republicans, and sets the table for continued progress in 2010.  I was very disappointed last week when the House of Representatives stalled my proposal to lower the legal blood alcohol limit for the crime of boating under the influence, this will prevent the measure from going to the Governor’s desk and will set us back another year in our efforts to keep our lakes and waterways safe places for family recreation.  However, the bill is not dormant and it will remain a priority for me next year.

When we return to the state Capitol in 2010, we will face a number of challenges and work to address numerous issues of importance to Oklahoma.  Legislators will have to put aside partisanship, ego and petty politics to craft proposals that will genuinely improve our transportation infrastructure, the strength of our public schools and the quality of state services.  I have a passion for the place I call home, and I want our community and the state as a whole to be a better place for all of us – a better place to live, work and raise a family.  I will continue fighting for working Oklahomans and for our district.

As always, I welcome your comments on state government.  Please feel free to contact me by writing to Senator Bill Brown at the State Capitol, Room 413A, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105; call me at (405) 521-5602.