Veterans Council Honors Todd Lamb

Senator Todd Lamb has been honored by The Oklahoma Veterans Council with its “Senator of the Year” award for his continued commitment to veterans throughout Oklahoma.

The award is presented to the senator who has assisted the Oklahoma Veterans Council in meeting the needs of veterans in the State Legislature.

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Lamb To Announce Lt. Governor Bid Today

Edmond Senator Todd Lamb will announce today he seeks the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor next year. He joins GOP Rep. Colby Schwartz of Yukon and Rep. John Wright of Broken Arrow in the race.

The only announced Democrat is Senator Kenneth Corn of Poteau.

Lamb, an attorney, is the Senate Majority Floor leader.

Lt. Governor Jari Askins is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.

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Lamb Says He Raised $195,280 In Two Weeks

Republican Todd Lamb, undeclared candidate for lieutenant governor, said today he raised $195,285.00 in two weeks for his campaign.

Coupled with a transfer of $57,760.73 unspent dollars from his previous contest for the State Senate, the campaign has total receipts of $253,045.73. After expenses are deducted, the campaign has $252,632.93 on hand.

Lamb's report filed with the Ethics Commission shows a large number of $5,000 donors and contributions from a number of political action committees, all received in the period June 12-30.

Access Lamb's finance report at https://www.ok.gov/ethics/crs/c1r/view_c1r.php?reg_id=110084&action=public&report_num=57434.

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Lamb Names Nickles, Ward To Campaign

Former Senator Don Nickles and Sandridge Energy CEO Tom Ward were announced today as co-chairmen for the Todd Lamb for lieutenant governor campaign even though Lamb has yet to officially announce he's a candidate.

The announcement follows by hours word that Rep. Colby Schwartz of Yukon will announce his campaign for the Republican nomination on Friday.

Lamb, a former United States Secret Service agent who once worked for Nickles and who is now the State Senate Majority Floor Leader, also served as a member of Governor Frank Keating’s staff and currently is general counsel for an Edmond‐based company that provides services for the oil, natural gas and telecommunications industries.

Rep. John Wright of Broken Arrow also is a candidate for the GOP nomination.

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Senate GOP Caucus Elects Coffee

The Oklahoma Senate Republican caucus has elected Glenn Coffee to serve as Pro Tem.

Coffee is appointing Senator Todd Lamb of Edmond to serve as Majority Floor Leader.

Coffee's election was expected. The veteran legislator served as co-president pro tem of the Senate as Republicans and Democrats shared power with the 24-24 split in Senate membership. Republicans took control of the Senate with victories in last Tuesday's elections.

The motion to elect Coffee as President Pro Tem was made by Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole, and seconded by Sen. Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher. Coffee is the first Republican in state history to lead the Senate.

While Coffee announced Lamb's selection today, the Senate’s other majority leadership posts will be elected at a Republican caucus meeting on November 18.

“The people of Oklahoma have entrusted Republicans with the leadership of the State Senate, and we will work non-stop to enact pro-jobs economic reforms, to make government more accountable to the people, to improve education, and to protect the public’s safety,” Coffee said. “I am honored to be elected by my colleagues to be the first Republican to lead the Senate.”

Lamb said, “Being selected as the Majority Floor Leader is truly humbling. Senate Republicans have worked very hard to address the issues that are important to Oklahomans, and I look forward to helping our historic majority move Oklahoma forward to brighter and better days.”

The President Pro Tempore will be formally elected by the full Senate on January 6, 2009, when the Legislature organizes pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Constitution.

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School Security Act Gets National Attention

From The Senate Communications Division ~ Legislation to make Oklahoma’s schools and campuses safer is gaining national attention.

State Sen. Todd Lamb (pictured) was a featured speaker at the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) conference this month in Phoenix, Arizona. NASRO is a not-for-profit organization for school based law enforcement officers, school administrators and school security/safety professionals working as partners to protect students, school faculty and staff and the schools they attend. Lamb said he was amazed by the response from NASRO delegates to his presentation on his Oklahoma School Security Act.

“What we tried to do was develop a multifaceted approach to not only increase campus safety and improve emergency response, but we also wanted to avert behaviors such as bullying,” said Lamb, R-Edmond. “Now school administrators and security officers from around the country are interested in our legislation.”

Under SB 1941, schools will be required to practice lockdowns twice each year. The bill additionally places school administrators on regional Homeland Security Advisory boards, guaranteeing their voices are heard on important security related concerns.

The measure also incorporates language regarding electronic communications under the state’s bullying statues. Under previous state law, electronic communications could not be considered bullying.

“We know there is a direct correlation between young people who are bullied and the possibility that those experiences can lead to tragedies like the deadly shootings at Columbine,” Lamb said. “That makes it extremely critical that we have the tools in place to stop bullying before it’s too late.”

Kevin Quinn is the spokesperson for NASRO, and said members were impressed with Lamb’s comprehensive safety plan, especially considering his background in law enforcement as a former agent for the Secret Service.

“That really made it hit home. This is someone who actually knows what he’s talking about,” Quinn said. “He’s been in law enforcement, and in his position in the Senate, he’s trying to get things passed that he knows will help law enforcement officers and schools around the country.”

Lamb said since returning from the conference, he’s been responding to requests for more information about his legislation.

“I really was not expecting the tremendous level of interest I’ve seen from school administrators and security officers from other states,” Lamb said. “Oklahomans can take pride in the fact that our legislature has passed a measure that could become a national model for promoting greater school safety.”

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Worthen, Lamb Demand 'Unethical' Working Oklahomans Alliance Donations Be Returned

Republican House and Senate leaders today criticized the "dishonest and underhanded fundraising tactics of the Working Oklahomans Alliance political action committee" and called on the dozens of Democratic members, candidates and PACs who received money from the group to return all contributions immediately.

The Oklahoman reported Sunday that many of the 2,200 individual contributors since 2006 to the Working Oklahomans Alliance were unaware they were donating to political campaigns.

The money was often deducted from workers' compensation claim checks intended to pay for medical expenses and necessities while a worker is unable to work.

"I am appalled by the actions of the Working Oklahomans Alliance PAC and the deceptive tactics they have used to swindle working Oklahoma families out of their hard-earned dollars," said Rep. Trebor Worthen, a member of the House Republican leadership team and political director for the House Republican campaign activities.

"I demand that those PACs, members and candidates who received donations from this unethical PAC return this tainted money; money that was taken off the backs, and sometimes the broken backs, of hardworking, injured Oklahomans."

With ever-growing health insurance costs and higher food and fuel prices, many of the workers quoted in the story said they could have used the money unknowingly taken from them for political campaigns to buy groceries for their families or a tank of gas for their cars.

"The deceitful tactics used by these workers' compensation attorneys to gather these donations are reminiscent of old Louisiana-style corruption. We don't need this kind of politics in Oklahoma, so we're hopeful that the Democrat candidates and PACs who took this dirty money will agree with us and return these contributions," said Senator Todd Lamb, R-Oklahoma City/Edmond. "The attorneys involved in this secretive scheme have proven they will stop at nothing to funnel money to candidates who will block workers' compensation reform, lawsuit reform, and other pro-jobs reforms that would benefit Oklahoma workers," Lamb said.

The Working Oklahomans Alliance gave to a dozen Democratic House and Senate members and candidates in 2008, and has given to many others previously. The PAC also gave thousands in contributions to both the House and Senate Democratic fundraising committees.

"Like the recent federal investigation of former Senator Gene Stipe, this deceitful behavior could go beyond mere state ethics violations. This could be the tip of the iceberg," said Worthen, R-Oklahoma City.

Worthen and Lamb called on the following members and candidates who received the tainted contributions to return them immediately to the workers who desperately need those funds, some of whom are unemployed as a result of their injury. They also urged House and Senate Democratic leadership to return the PAC funds they have received and to not accept further contributions from this group until they change their deceptive and misleading tactics on innocent and often injured workers.

Recent Working Oklahoman's Alliance contributions: Senators Nancy Riley, $5,000; Richard Lerblance, $5,000; Senate candidate Robert Murphy, $5,000; Rep. Eric Proctor, $750; Sen. Tom Adelson, $5,000; Democrats of the Oklahoma State Senate, $10,000; Oklahoma House PAC, $5,000; Sen. Charlie Laster, $2,500; Rep. Mike Shelton, $1,500; Rep. Anastasia Pitman, $1,000; Rep. Jerry Elli, $1,250; Rep. Jabar Shumate, $1,500; Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, $5,000; WIN PAC, $5,000; Rep. Scott Inman, $2,000; Organized Democratic Youth, $5,000.

Other House and Senate members who have received contributions in past election cycles from the PAC include Reps. Wallace Collins, Al Lindley, Richard Morrissette, Ken Luttrell, Ryan McMullen, Jeannie McDaniel, Randy Terrill, and Sens. Daisy Lawler, Randy Bass, Tom Ivester, Andrew Rice, Sean Burrage, and John Sparks.

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GOP Candidate In SD 47 Withdraws, Ensuring Todd Lamb's Reelection

Isaac Samuel of Oklahoma City, who yesterday filed a candidacy for the State Senate as a Republican in Senate District 47, withdrew his candidacy today. That eliminates a primary election on the GOP side.

As a result, Senator Todd Lamb is reelected to represent his Oklahoma City/Edmond district without Democrat opposition. This increases the number of incumbent Republican senators returning to office upon filing to six. They include Lamb, Patrick Anderson (Enid), Brian Crain (Tulsa), John Ford (Bartlesville), Ron Justice (Chickasha) and Mike Mazzei (Tulsa).

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HOUSE OVERRIDES HENRY VETO

The House this morning followed the Senate in voting to override Governor Henry's veto of an anti-abortion bill.

The vote was 81-15 with five members absent.

It is the first gubernatorial veto overridden by the State Legislature since the administration of former Gov. David Walters.

“I want to thank my Senate and House colleagues for taking a stand for the unborn and for the sanctity of life by overriding this unconscionable veto,” said Senator Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, author of Senate Bill 1878.

Lamb said he wanted to correct a factual error that was contained in the governor’s veto message that was sent to the Legislature Wednesday night.

“Gov. Henry was factually inaccurate in his assertion that this bill forces victims of rape and incest to view an ultrasound of their unborn baby. The bill in no way forces a woman to view the ultrasound that is conducted before an abortion,” Lamb stated.

Senate Bill 1878 is authored by Lamb, and Rep. Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa.

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Lamb Urges Henry To Sign Pro-Life Bill

The State Senate’s author of an omnibus pro-life bill that overwhelmingly passed the State Senate and House of Representatives today urged Governor Henry to sign the bill before tonight’s midnight deadline for gubernatorial action on the bill.

“I strongly encourage Governor Henry to join the Oklahoma Legislature in taking a stand for the rights of the unborn and for the sanctity of life by signing this bill before tonight’s deadline,” said Senator Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, author of Senate Bill 1878.

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Omnibus Pro-Life Bill Passes Senate

An omnibus pro-life bill passed the Oklahoma State Senate Wednesday with a bipartisan vote.

Senate Bill 1878 by Senator Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, and Rep. Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa, contains several pro-life initiatives. It passed the Senate 38-10.

By combining various pieces of legislation from Lamb and members of the House, the bill now creates the Freedom of Conscience Act which protects the rights of healthcare providers to refuse to take part in the destruction of human life (SB 1878—Sen. Lamb, Rep. Peterson); regulates the use of the dangerous chemical pill RU-486, used when the unborn child is about two months old (HB 2181—Rep. McNiel); ensures the mother’s consent to abort is truly voluntary, and protects against coerced abortions (HB 3059—Sen. Williamson, Rep. Hamilton); provides a woman with an ultrasound of her unborn child which she can view prior to undergoing the abortion (HB 3144—Sen. Lamb, Rep. Billy); cultivates respect for disabled children by banning the wrongful-life lawsuits that claim a baby would have been better off aborted (HB 2814—Sen. Crain, Rep. Sullivan).

“The provisions spelled out in this legislation are critical pro-life advances,” said Lamb. “Working with pro-life members of the House and Senate to protect the sanctity of life and develop this comprehensive bill has been an honor. I am encouraged by the bipartisan support to protect innocent life today in the Senate.”

The next stop for the measure is Governor Henry's office for his action.

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Senate Approves Iraqi Freedom License Tags

The Oklahoma State Senate has given unanimous approval to legislation creating special vehicle tags for Oklahomans who have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The author of Senate Bill 1138 is Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond.

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Lamb's Safer Schools Measure Passes Committee

The Senate Education Committee on Monday unanimously approved a measure designed to make Oklahoma schools among the safest in the nation.

Authored by Sen. Todd Lamb, the Oklahoma School Security Act is a comprehensive proposal to combat bullying, reduce school violence and involve school administrators in the process of making their facilities safe for Oklahoma children.

“We all remember where we were when that horrible evil struck at Columbine and many of us have felt compelled to do whatever we can to prevent such tragedies in the future,” said Lamb, R-Oklahoma City. “The greatest responsibility of government is to protect the vulnerable, and few are more vulnerable than a child away from his or her parents. This bill represents an effort to ensure no parent or child has to endure the tragedy of school violence.”

Lamb said Senate Bill 1941 includes a number of provisions to secure school facilities, including the prohibition of using schools as polling places. Currently, anyone can walk into a school polling place without first presenting identification, which may represent a security risk. Additionally, the bill provides that school officials will have a place on regional Homeland Security Advisory boards.

The measure also contains provisions related to bullying. Under current law, electronic communications cannot be legally considered as bullying, but the Oklahoma School Security Act would add text messages and email to the state’s bullying statutes. The bill would also mandate that schools practice lockdowns at least three times annually, rather than just once, as is required by current law.

“Parents will be forgiving if a child comes home from school with a rough grade on a paper, but they will not be forgiving if they are not capable of coming home in the same condition they were sent,” Lamb said. “Keeping our children and families safe should be our highest priority, and I feel this proposal is an important effort toward meeting that standard.”

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