State Senate Republicans Outline General Goals

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Republicans in the newly divided Oklahoma Senate Wednesday outlined their agenda that focuses on education, jobs, health care and public safety.<br/><br/>Republicans senators held

Wednesday, January 24th 2007, 2:02 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Republicans in the newly divided Oklahoma Senate Wednesday outlined their agenda that focuses on education, jobs, health care and public safety.

Republicans senators held news conferences in Tulsa, Lawton and the state Capitol in Oklahoma City to discuss their ideas.

In the area of education, Senator Owen Laughlin says Republicans want to raise school standards, increase accountability and finally fix funding problems of the Teacher Retirement System.

Democratic Pro Tem Mike Morgan says he was encouraged the GOP agenda seems less partisan than in previous years.

The Oklahoma Senate is tied 24-to-24 following last November's elections, although Democratic Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins would cast a tie-breaking vote. Republicans and Democrats already have announced a power-sharing agreement and pledged to work together during the upcoming session, which begins February 5th.