Oklahoma: State of the State - 2009

Moral proclamation event incites raucous exchange at Oklahoma Capitol 13 hr ago | Add a comment An event to allow people to sign a "proclamation for morality” — which blames the country’s economic woes on its lack of morals and states the hope of America rests upon...

Alleged reprisal costs Oklahoma Labor Department 21 hr ago | Add a comment Oklahoma taxpayers paid $200,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging Democratic Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields retaliated against an employee who backed his Republican predecessor. Former Labor...

Advocates laud Oklahoma DUI penalties 22 hr ago | Add a comment TULSA — A new statute that boosts penalties for drunken drivers will fix a "gaping loophole” in Oklahoma law and make roads safer for children, authorities said Thursday. Senate...

Oklahoma House Speaker, AT&T announce CNG vehicles Tue, Jun 30, 2009 | Add a comment TULSA (AP) — AT&T is rolling out a fleet of at least 30 compressed natural gas vehicles this year in part because of tax incentives approved by the Oklahoma Legislature. The announcement was...

Kelsey Smith-Briggs' death lawsuit brings $625K deal Tue, Jun 30, 2009 The state of Oklahoma paid $525,000 Monday to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit over the murder of Kelsey Smith-Briggs, and a private agency paid $100,000. A federal judge Monday approved the...

U.S. officials seek help getting census right in Oklahoma's Hispanic community Tue, Jun 30, 2009 Improving the participation of Oklahoma’s Hispanics in next year’s census is essential in getting an accurate count of the population, a census worker said Monday. Oklahoma’s...

Disaster center to provide aid for 8 Oklahoma counties Tue, Jun 30, 2009 | Add a comment Low-interest disaster loans are available for residents and businesses affected by the severe storms and a tornado that struck Caddo County last month, the governor’s office said Monday. The...

Ex-official Roger Q. Melson Jr. provides help to prosecutors Tue, Jun 30, 2009 Former auditor Roger Q. Melson Jr. used several company names to defraud the state Commissioners of the Land Office where he worked, and the total amount he took likely will end up being more than...

Trade group recommends more taxes on Chinese tires Tue, Jun 30, 2009 | Add a comment WASHINGTON — The U.S. International Trade Commission, in a split vote, recommended Monday that higher taxes be imposed on certain Chinese passenger car and light-truck tires as a remedy for...

New Oklahoma Laws Mon, Jun 29, 2009 | Add a comment Rules affect license plates, removal of children Oklahomans who are late renewing their vehicle tags after today will have to pay three times the fine, according to a law that takes effect...

17 Oklahoma health centers to share funding Mon, Jun 29, 2009 | Add a comment WASHINGTON — First lady Michelle Obama announced Monday that 17 community health center organizations in Oklahoma will share nearly $8 million in federal stimulus money for repairs,...

$603M Oklahoma City School budget nearing approval Mon, Jun 29, 2009 | Add a comment Oklahoma City School Board members gave initial approval for the $603 million budget for fiscal year 2010 during their meeting Monday. Board members are scheduled to give official approval at the...

Lawmaker, veteran praises U.S. troops’ efforts in Iraq Mon, Jun 29, 2009 | Add a comment As U.S. service members turn over security duties to Iraqi forces, American troops should be praised for accomplishing their mission, one veterans’ advocate says. Earlier today, American...

Rep. Dan Boren refuses to slam Sen. Tom Coburn Sun, Jun 28, 2009 | Add a comment WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden’s office tried to enlist Rep. Dan Boren in a public relations fight against Sen. Tom Coburn after Coburn released a report criticizing some...

Military funds to promote prosthetics in Oklahoma Sat, Jun 27, 2009 | Add a comment Eight million dollars of a $10 million request was approved to create an Oklahoma City prosthetics technology center. OrthoCare Innovations, in a partnership with the Johns Hopkins University...

Commissioners of the Land Office inquiry expands Sat, Jun 27, 2009 A former employee of the Commissioners of the Land Office accused of embezzling nearly $1.16 million from the state agency is also listed as the owner or president of two oil companies with Texas...

Lawyers, family top Oklahoma gubernatorial candidates' donor lists Sat, Jun 27, 2009 | Add a comment Private practice lawyers and law firms account for more than half the early contributions to Attorney General Drew Edmondson’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign, state Ethics Commission filings...

Oklahoma lawmakers to study many issues Sat, Jun 27, 2009 | Add a comment State House members will tackle more than 100 issues before the next legislative session starts in February. House Speaker Chris Benge approved 120 interim studies that are expected to be conducted...

Oklahoma health premium hikes cited in reform push Sat, Jun 27, 2009 | Add a comment WASHINGTON — The average Oklahoma family’s health care premiums have risen by 77 percent since 2000, according to figures released Friday by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen...

Bill harmful, Oklahoma energy official Mike McDonald warns Sat, Jun 27, 2009 | Add a comment The chairman of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association and America’s Natural Gas Alliance ripped the U.S. House of Representatives Friday for approving cap-and-trade legislation....

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe bill may ease rules for adoption Sat, Jun 27, 2009 | Add a comment WASHINGTON — Sen. Jim Inhofe introduced legislation this week intended to ease the bureaucracy for Americans adopting children in other countries. Under the legislation, co-authored with Sen....

Oklahoma lawmakers oppose global warming bill Sat, Jun 27, 2009 | Add a comment All four Oklahoma members of the U.S. House present Friday voted against the global warming bill. Rep. John Sullivan, R-Tulsa, is on a leave of absence. Here’s what they had to say. Rep. Dan...