State Democrats Announce Programs Which Stress Health Care, Wages, Education and Illegal Immigration

Thursday, February 1st 2007, 5:44 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Expanding health care, raising the minimum wage and cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants are among the items being pushed by state Senate Democrats.

Leaders held a news conference Wednesday to announce their "Oklahoma Rising" agenda, a play on a new song celebrating the state's 100th birthday.

Shawnee state Senator Charles Laster says he and his colleagues would be focusing this year on making health care more affordable to families struggling to make ends meet and giving students more access to a college education.

Laster also said they'll seek to ensure that hard work pays by raising the minimum wage and we will work to protect our vital natural resources.

State Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan says Democrats will seek GOP support for their programs. Senate President Co-Pro Tem Glenn Coffee -- a Republican -- says he's encouraged by the positive tone of the Democrats' announcement.