IN BRIEF: Bills needed to flood funds in Oklahoma
Published: November 21, 2008
BILLS NEEDED FOR FLOOD FUNDS
Legislators will have to pass new bills if financing is to be approved for $25 million in flood control measures across the state and for $25 million in bridge and dam work on the Arkansas River in Tulsa County. The state Council of Bond Oversight on Thursday put the restriction in a financing proposal from the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to repair and replace flood-damaged dams. It requires legislators to authorize the projects in separate bills. Another possibility is for the funding proposal to get approval from the Oklahoma Supreme Court, but that appears unlikely as the high court earlier this year scolded legislators for lumping more than one item to be funded in one bill. The state constitution requires separate bills for each special appropriation; the court in its ruling states legislators should have adopted a separate special appropriation bill for each unrelated item. Either way, funding for the conservation project will be delayed for at least two months, said Jim Joseph, the state’s bond adviser. The quickest route probably would be to ask legislators to pass the measures shortly after the session begins in February. The two projects, along with a $25 million proposal to continue construction of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma City, were included in one measure, Senate Bill 1374, that was passed in the closing days of this year’s legislative session.
SENATOR TARGETS AUTISM
A bill to require insurance companies to cover diagnosis and treatment of autism in children is the first bill filed in the state Senate for the 2009 legislative session. Senate Bill 1 is titled "Nick’s Law” and is named for 11-year-old Nick Rhode of Edmond, who has autism. Wayne Rhode — Nick’s father — lobbied without success last year to get the measure out of a House committee. Democratic Sen. Jay Paul Gumm of Durant is the principal sponsor of the bill, which is opposed by insurance interests who said it will raise rates. Gumm said similar legislation has been enacted in other states with bipartisan support, but is being blocked by Republican leaders in the Oklahoma House. The Associated Press TRANSPORTATIONBroadway exits close for repair
Two ramps on southbound Broadway Extension — exit ramp to westbound I-44 and the entrance ramp from NW 63 — will be closed from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday while state Transportation Department crews repair the road’s surface. Work started Thursday night, but cement won’t be poured until Sunday because warm temperatures needed to cure the concrete are predicted. From Staff Reports ON NEWSOK.COM Updates on Capitol news reports. Look for "Today’s Paper.”
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