A bill to expand a program that provides subsidies to cover much of the health insurance costs of employees of small businesses won approval Mar. 2 in the Oklahoma Senate.
In other action, senators passed a bill to cut estate taxes this year and eventually eliminate the tax.
The health insurance program, initiated last year by Gov. Brad Henry, now applies to businesses with 25 or fewer employees. Sen. Tom Adelson’s bill would expand it to include employers of 50 or fewer workers.
“Having access to affordable, quality medical care will make workers healthier and more productive,” said Adelson, D-Tulsa. “A more productive work force means a healthier bottom line for small businesses.”
The measure now goes to the House for consideration.
The estate tax plan, by Sens. Mike Mazzei, R-Bixby, and Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, extends the current $1 million exemption from the tax to non-lineal heirs, such as nephews and nieces.
The tax exemption now applies only to collateral heirs, such as sons and daughters.
“I firmly believe that this kind of meaningful tax reform will help us attract and keep jobs and people here n Oklahoma,” Mazzei said.
Other bills passed by the Senate and sent to the House included:
–A bill by Sen. Daisy Lawler, D-Comanche, that is designed to increase the amount of nutritious fruits and vegetables consumed by school children. The plan bolsters an existing Farm to School Program, designed to bring locally grown produce to schools.
“The initial pilot program which helped market Oklahoma grown watermelons to local schools was a wonderful success,” Lawler said. “Now we want to expand that success to schools across the state and let their children enjoy a variety of Oklahoma grown produce.”
–A resolution was adopted by Lawler that reminds Oklahomans that a burn ban remains in effect and that the threat of wildfires is still extremely high.
Lawler said a fire two miles wide and 13 miles long left members of her church and other friends homeless.
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