Agricultural News
State Legislative Session Done for the Year in Oklahoma City- Farm Bureau's Tyler Norvell Offers High Marks
Fri, 20 May 2011 18:58:28 CDT
Republican Lawmakers seemed to be all smiles as the Oklahoma legislative session came to a close one week early. The State Senate and House will remain on call at the option of the leadership of the two bodies in the coming week- but if they don't show back up next week at all- the official end of the 2011 session, called the Sine Die- will click into place Friday afternoon, May 27th at 5 Pm Central time.
"This was a very successful legislative session," said House Speaker Kris Steele, R-Shawnee. "The Legislature laid an ambitious foundation for the state this year that will allow us to reach our full potential."
"The breadth of the accomplishments by the Legislature and our other statewide leaders this year is remarkable," said House Speaker Kris Steele, R-Shawnee. "Oklahomans can take pride in knowing the state is set up to grow and thrive in the 21st century."
Steele praised lawmakers for their work this year to advance major agenda items.
"We succeeded in creating an environment where businesses can succeed and families can prosper," Steele said. "We made landmark reforms to our civil justice, workers' compensation, pension and corrections systems. We also started to roll back the size of government while increasing the efficiency of important government services through modernization and consolidation. We advanced legislation defending family values and constitutional rights. And finally, we passed a balanced state budget that did not raise taxes and protected core services.
Senate leaders were also pleased. President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, said he was proud of the accomplishments. "I am very happy about this session and all that the Senate accomplished this year," said Bingman. "As a state, Oklahoma is moving in the right direction."
On Friday evening, Farm Director Ron Hays talked with the Vice President for Public Policy of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Tyler Norvell. He gave the legislature high marks- an "A" in fact, for their work on the budget, redrawing state and federal election district lines and enacting several measures that were high on the wish list of the general farm organization.
You can hear our conversation with Norvell by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below. You can also review some of the highlights of the legislative session from the OFB point of view with an analysis found on the Oklahoma Farm Bureau website- click here for that overview.
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