Dear Friends:

It's been a very quiet 2 weeks. The past week, that of Spring Break for most, was quite unproductive. No House bills were heard in Senate committees. They were being sorted and divided by Sen. Laster and Sen. Laughlin for placement in committee. The Senate gave the House Thursday off, and vise/versa for the Senate. Our Assistants had Good Friday off. This week was equally quiet, as very few committees met. Bills have all finally been placed and I expect this final week of committee work to be quite full. A few bills made it through hearings last week. But I don't expect to have them presented on the floor for a couple of weeks.

Instead, we spent this time in the Senate introducing constituents from our districts. We had several athletic teams presented on the floor, along with Miss Oklahoma, MaKenna Smith from Oklahoma City. Resolutions were made and passed and the preacher of the week was from Elk City.

I had constituents this week at the Capitol, which I always enjoy. Jenks DECCA students stopped by to visit, as did 2 of my area superintendents. I had the joy of visiting with 2 other superintendents on Friday, while I was 'in the district'. I also spoke at the Bixby Chamber of Commerce legislative lunch and visited with many other chamber members at the Jenks Chamber farewell party for Ruth Littlefield, chamber director, who is moving over to the Metro Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. I am glad that she will be nearby. Ruth is quite a jewel. I was privileged to host 2 students from Sand Springs as pages this week. They did they utmost to stay busy amid the lull. It is great to have our students working at the Capitol and to see them look over my wall of page pictures to recognize friends and classmates.

We made some positive budget announcements. Our schools will be receiving some of the revenue that was short to hold them over until April. $10 million will be given to common ed until we can determine exactly what the shortfall to schools is. An additional 1.5 million will be given for the Academic Achievement Award so that those schools that have performed above their level from last year will receive the money teachers were promised.

Next week's report promises to be more informative as to the legislative process. Until then I continue to work for you 24/7/365.

Senator Riley