Oklahoma: State of the State - 2009

Oklahoma Ethics commission facing furloughs 22 hr ago | Add a comment TULSA — The state agency charged with policing political campaigns will be furloughing staff right in the middle of the 2010 election cycle, if current budget projections hold up, Ethics...

Health plans call for injection of cash from procedure tax Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | Add a comment WASHINGTON — They call it the "Botax.” The White House and Senate Democrats have turned to a proposal to tax breast implants, tummy tucks, wrinkle-smoothing injections and other...

Oklahoma Capitol Briefs: Artists needed for coloring book Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | Add a comment ARTISTS NEEDED FOR COLORING BOOK Rep. Anastasia Pittman, D-Oklahoma City, is looking for artists to help with a 100-page coloring book featuring black Oklahoma historical figures. Artists are asked...

Oklahoma families urge change in care for mentally ill Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | Add a comment Considering a person’s past medical illness diagnosis should be a factor in getting someone committed for emergency treatment, several family members told a legislative panel Thursday....

Oklahoma Senate’s GOP is calling for December session Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | Add a comment Senate Republicans want the governor to call a special session next month to deal with the state’s budget crisis instead of waiting until January as he suggested. "It’s very clear...

Critic defends class-action status in Oklahoma Department of Human Services lawsuit Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | Add a comment DENVER — A critic of Oklahoma’s foster child care system contends its reform will not be possible if an appeals court grants the state’s request to decertify a class-action...

CareerTech to reduce its staff by about 30 Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | Add a comment State Department of Career and Technology Education leaders estimate about 30 employees will need to take job buyouts to make up for expected budget shortfalls. The CareerTech board approved a...

U.S. Senate approves veterans bill Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | Add a comment WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate unanimously approved legislation Thursday to provide financial aid to caregivers of disabled veterans, ending a stand-off with Sen. Tom Coburn that drew national...

Oklahoma's Rainy Day Fund available for spending, AG office says Wed, Nov 18, 2009 | Add a comment All the money in the state’s savings account can be used to help offset this fiscal year’s revenue shortfall, according to a legal opinion by the state attorney general’s office....

Oklahoma City Democrat announces bid for attorney general Wed, Nov 18, 2009 | Add a comment Jim Priest, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, announced today he is running for attorney general in 2010. Priest, an attorney and lay minister, made his announcement at the state Capitol. Priest is...

Okahoma senator will run for attorney general Wed, Nov 18, 2009 | Add a comment State Sen. Clark Jolley intends to run for state attorney general. Jolley, R-Edmond, filed paperwork Tuesday for the open post. Attorney General Drew Edmondson is not seeking re-election to run for...

Oklahoma Capitol Briefs Wed, Nov 18, 2009 | Add a comment Workers’ comp reform Rep. Mark McCullough said Tuesday he will file legislation to overhaul Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation system. The legislation would keep the current...

No raises for Oklahoma City leadership Tue, Nov 17, 2009 | Add a comment No raises for city leadership Oklahoma City Council members had their annual discussion in executive session Tuesday about the job performances of Oklahoma City Manager Jim Couch, City Attorney...

Oklahoma Gov. Henry outlines budget plan, suggests January special session Tue, Nov 17, 2009 | Add a comment A special session in January is a possibility outlined today by Gov. Brad Henry to deal with the state's budget crisis. The governor outlined a three-point plan to address the state's revenue...

Senate rejects Sen. Tom Coburn's plan Tue, Nov 17, 2009 | Add a comment WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Monday defeated an attempt by Sen. Tom Coburn to break the impasse over funding for disabled veterans, rejecting Coburn’s proposal that would have...

Oklahoma capitol briefs Mon, Nov 16, 2009 | Add a comment No trooper furloughs The state Public Safety Department has cut other expenses to avoid requiring troopers to take furlough days, a spokesman said Monday. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is on track to...

Oklahoma legislative leaders plan to not fill staff positions Mon, Nov 16, 2009 | Add a comment Several staff positions in the House and Senate will go unfilled because of the state’s revenue shortfall, aides to legislative leaders said Monday. Six open positions in the House staff are...

In brief: Gov. Brad Henry names judge Fri, Nov 13, 2009 | Add a comment Governor names judge Gov. Brad Henry didn’t have to look far to select a new judge for Oklahoma County. The governor on Friday named Lisa Tipping Davis as a district judge in Oklahoma County....

Oklahoma Capitol to shine light on diabetes Fri, Nov 13, 2009 | Add a comment The state Capitol dome will be lit with blue lights tonight in recognition of World Diabetes Day. Starting at 5 p.m. on the fourth-floor rotunda, speakers will share stories about their experiences...

Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry names Lisa Tipping Davis to district judgeship Fri, Nov 13, 2009 | Add a comment Gov. Brad Henry has appointed Lisa Tipping Davis of Edmond to a vacant district judgeship in Oklahoma County. Henry announced the appointment on Friday. Davis succeeds Judge Carolyn Ricks, who...

Panel eyes Oklahoma’s low life expectancy Fri, Nov 13, 2009 | Add a comment Oklahomans have a life expectancy 10 years less than those in the rest of the country, and a big factor for that is poor health choices, a House committee was told Thursday. Jan Figart, associate...

Oklahoma Capitol Briefs Thu, Nov 12, 2009 | Add a comment Help sought for dropouts The twin brother of a high school dropout addressed a House committee Thursday saying lawmakers can improve graduation rates by streamlining testing and funding graduation...