Sen. Burrage chosen as next Democratic Floor Leader

Sen. Sean Burrage
D-Claremore

Claremore lawmaker Sean Burrage has been chosen to serve as the next Senate Democratic Floor Leader. Members of the caucus held a vote on Tuesday to decide who would follow Sen. Andrew Rice in the leadership post. Rice, D-Oklahoma City, recently announced he would resign from the Senate effective January 15.

Burrage said he was honored to lead the Senate Democrats in 2012.

“I believe we must always be focused on what’s good for our state—not what’s going to score the most political points. We want a stronger economy and top-paying jobs for our citizens. We want our children to have the best educational opportunities possible and we want to be safe when we are at school, work or at home. We want roads and bridges that are modern and safe as well. When we can agree on how to achieve those things, then those are programs we’ll support,” Burrage said. “But if proposed legislation comes at the expense of our most vulnerable citizens, then we’ll be fighting to give those individuals a voice in the Senate.”

Burrage, an attorney and father of two, was reelected without opposition to a second term in the Senate in 2010. He currently serves as Assistant Democratic Floor Leader in the Senate. His committee assignments include the Full Appropriations Committee, the Senate Standing Committees on Energy and Transportation, and he is the vice-chairman of the Committee on Health and Human Services.

Burrage also serves on the Senate Select Committee established to reform and strengthen Oklahoma’s pension systems, and served as vice-chairman of the 2011 Senate Redistricting Committee.

Senate Pro-Tem Brian Bingman congratulated Burrage on his new role in the Senate.

"I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to my friend Senator Burrage on his election as the next Minority Leader,” Bingman said. “I have had the privilege of working with Sean for several years and have seen first hand his thoughtfulness and temperament. Though we may not agree on every issue, I believe Senator Burrage to be a man of integrity who will facilitate a healthy and honest public debate as the Senate works to move Oklahoma forward."

Governor Mary Fallin released a statement today on the selection of Burrage as the new Senate Minority Leader.

“My congratulations go out to Senator Burrage for his election to the post of Minority Leader,” Fallin said.  “I look forward to working with him to build bipartisan consensus on policies that will create jobs, make government more efficient and accountable, and continue to move Oklahoma forward.  Senator Burrage is a responsible, conscientious and effective lawmaker and I know he is more than up to the task.”

Burrage concluded by expressing gratitude to his fellow Democrats.

“We are committed to our constituents, and to creating public policy that will move our state forward,” Burrage said. “Again, I thank my fellow Democrats for the trust they’ve placed in me. I’m looking forward to working on behalf of all our citizens in the coming session.”

State Senator Andrew Rice Resigning Senate Seat

Oklahoma City - Today Sen. Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City, submitted letters to the Secretary of the Senate, President Pro Tempore Bingman, and Governor Fallin informing them that he is resigning his duties as State Senator effective Jan. 15th, 2012.

“I am supporting my wife in her pursuit of a career opportunity outside of the state of Oklahoma,” Rice said in a statement. “She has made immense sacrifices for me in her support of my political career and public service, and I am honored to be able to reciprocate that for her now.” 

The move would prevent Rice, currently the Democratic leader in the Senate, from completing his four year term, which ends in November, 2014. 

President Pro Tem Brian Bingman, R-Supulpa, today released a statement wishing Rice and his family well.

"Though we may not have always seen eye-to-eye on every issue, I have nothing but respect for Senator Rice and his service to the state of Oklahoma,” Bingman said. “He is compassionate, intellectually honest, and relentless in the defense of his constituents. I could not have asked for a better Senate colleague and Minority Leader counterpart.”

By law, Gov. Fallin will call a special election for Senate District 46 within 30 days of the effective date of resignation. The Senate Democratic Caucus will hold an internal election in the coming months to choose a new Senate Democratic Leader. 

“It has been an immense honor and privilege to serve the people of Senate District 46,” Rice said. “I will miss the many friendships that I have formed with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the senate staff. We are sad that this change will take us away from Oklahoma, but this is the best decision for our family at this time.”

“I'm honored to count Andrew and his wife, Apple, as friends,” Bingman said. “I wish their family the very best as they embark on the next chapter in their lives."


This afternoon state Rep. Al McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City, announced his intentions to seek Senate District 46 in the special election.  

School readiness partnership plans to make recommendations to Governor Mary Fallin

By Patrick B. McGuigan at www.CapitolBeatOK.com (Published: 19-Aug-2011) 

At a Thursday afternoon meeting in Oklahoma City, leaders of several organizations in early childhood education advocacy or services gathered to read (and, in the end, endorse) policy recommendations that will be forwarded to Governor Mary Fallin this fall. As the recommendations were discussed, however, a new public opinion poll documented that many voters are dubious about further expansion of government programs to provide early childhood education.

The recommendations come from the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness (OPSR), a group established in 2003. The partnership's mission is described as “to lead Oklahoma in coordinating an early childhood system focused on strengthening families and school readiness for all children.” The organization's vision is characterized as seeking to assure “ that all Oklahoma children will be safe, healthy, eager to learn and ready to succeed by the time they enter school.”

Since 2010, OPSR has carried on the duties of the State Early Childhood Advisory Council (SECAC). 

The 2012 policy recommendations remain in draft stage, and can be read on the website of Smart Start Oklahoma. Leaders of Smart Start Oklahoma told CapitolBeatOK the draft document will include comments made at Thursday's meeting, and that the text of the recommendations will not be finalized until August 31.