House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, Friday announced approval of more than 70 interim studies requested by lawmakers and assigned to House committees.

McCall approved 74 interim studies after receiving 92 study requests from members. Four study requests were combined with another study to examine similar topics. Additionally, four of the 74 studies have been approved as joint studies to be conducted in partnership with the Senate.

Legislative leaders announced today a Fiscal Year 2021 state budget agreement designed to hold education funding harmless while limiting most budget reductions to 4% or less amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a far better budget than many expected and that should come as a relief to the citizens who rely on core services and the agencies that serve them, given the effect of both depressed oil and gas prices and the pandemic on state revenues,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City.

Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd issued the following statement in response to Gov. Stitt’s announcement on Wednesday of plans to reopen Oklahoma businesses:

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt many of Oklahoma’s small businesses and their employees. We agree preparations must be made to safely reopen these businesses and put Oklahomans back to work but this must be done based on sound data and recommendations from public health experts.

Multiple media are reporting that former-U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, one of Oklahoma’s most honored and influential to rise to national political prominence, died early this morning.

We will greatly miss his voice of wisdom on so many issues.