Oklahoma Senate Leaders Unveil 2012 Legislative Agenda

A group of about 20 Senate Republicans met Tuesday to unveil their priorities for the 2012 legislative session.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman identified six public policy areas important to the success agenda. They include jobs and the economy, education, health and human services, public safety, reducing the size of government and transportation infrastructure.

"We're committed to moving the state forward with an agenda that will continue to create jobs and enable hard working Oklahomans to keep more of their hard earned money," Bingman said.

Leaders in the Oklahoma Senate say they share Republican Governor Mary Fallin's goal of reducing the state income tax, but stopped short of endorsing her plan to cut the top rate by nearly 2 percent beginning in January.

The governor proposed cutting income taxes on Monday. Republicans say they'll work on that, and restoring a $5,000 stipend for state national board certified teachers.

2/6/2012 Related Story: Governor Fallin Proposes Tax Cuts, Improvements To Bridges, Capitol Building

Republican Senator Rick Brinkley of Owasso has been leading an analysis of the state's tax structure. Brinkley says Senate Republicans will give careful consideration to a task force that recommended a more modest cut in the state income tax that was revenue-neutral.

The Task Force on Comprehensive Tax Reform suggested cutting the state's top income tax rate from 5.25 percent to 4.75 percent over the next two years.