| March 2, 2012
The Senate this
week approved a supplemental funding measure for some of state government’s
most pressing needs. The bill will provide funding for specific needs
in public safety and education, including bonuses for qualified National
Board Certified teachers and a Trooper Academy to put more Highway Patrol
Troopers on our roads.
The measure also
includes emergency funds for communities and counties affected by wildfires
and storm damage over the past year. I’m pleased we were able to
come to an agreement and honor our promise to Oklahoma teachers.
The state received
great news this week when it was announced TransCanada would reapply
for a Presidential Permit to complete the Keystone XL pipeline project
and their intent to construct a pipeline from Cushing to refineries
in the Gulf of Mexico. The construction of the Cushing pipeline is expected
to create more than 1,000 jobs in Oklahoma alone.
This is great news
for the Oklahoma economy. My hope is that the President will see the
wisdom of this common sense business plan – one that will create
jobs, expand our refining capacity and allow us to use more of our domestic
energy supply.
I was honored this
week to be chosen to serve as Majority Whip by my colleagues in the
Senate Republican caucus. In this capacity, I’ll be tasked with
ensuring effective communication within the caucus on policy matters.
I’m very humbled to have been chosen to serve as a member of the
leadership team, and I look forward to the job.
Please feel free
to contact me at the state Capitol by calling (405) 521-5566 or by email
at brinkley@oksenate.gov.
-30-
|
Custom
Search 
