Archive for the Week of May 10, 2009 - May 16, 2009
Governor, legislative leaders reach agreement
5/15/09, 5:10 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry and state legislative leaders have agreed on a state budget that protects education, health care, public safety and transportation from cuts.
The budget deal was announced Friday by Henry, House Speaker Chris Benge and Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee. The agreement is on the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Most agencies, including the House, Senate and Governor's Office, received a 7 percent cut. Common and higher education see about a 2 percent increase compared to last fiscal year, which should prevent the need for increased tuition. Transportation and Health Care also see increases over last year's budget, and Corrections, Veterans Affairs and Career Tech all are held harmless under the deal.
Former Oklahoma great Tisdale dies at 44
5/15/09, 5:02 p.m.
UNDATED (AP) - Former Oklahoma All-America and NBA basketball player Wayman Tisdale has died at a Tulsa hospital after a two-year battle with cancer. Tisdale died about 8 this morning at St. John Medical Center. He was 44.
After three years at OU Tisdale spent 12 seasons in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns, then became an award-winning jazz musician. Tisdale also played on the U.S. team that won the gold medal in the 1984 Olympic Games.
Tisdale learned just last month he had been chosen for induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1997 he became the first Oklahoma player in any sport to have his jersey number retired. Two years ago Tisdale gave his permission to then-freshman Blake Griffin to wear No. 23. Griffin went on to become the consensus national player of the year this past season as a sophomore.
Tisdale is survived by his wife, Regina, and four children.
AG issues opinion on communications
5/15/09, 4:30 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Attorney General Drew Edmondson's office says electronic communications used to transact state business that were created, received, transmitted or maintained on privately owned equipment are subject to open records laws. Edmondson's office released the official opinion Friday. It was requested by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.
The opinion says electronic communications that qualify as records are subject to the Open Records and Records Management acts. Otherwise, public officials and employees could "circumvent the open records laws simply by using privately owned personal electronic communication devices to conduct public business." The exception would be if a provision of law makes the information confidential. The question was prompted by the increased use by government officials and employees of computers, cell phones and other personal electronic communication devices with their work.
Tulsa sets record for days of consecutive rainfall
5/14/09
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The wet weather in recent weeks in Oklahoma has resulted in a record-setting stretch of rainfall for the state's second-largest city. The National Weather Service says that through Thursday, Tulsa has had 20 straight days with at least a trace of precipitation. A total of 7.67 inches of rain has fallen during the period with the highest total of 3.01 inches falling on May 1. On five of the days only a "trace" amount of rain was measured. The city's previous record of 13 straight days of precipitation was set in 1935 and tied in 1957. Friday's forecast calls for partly cloudy conditions during the day with rain showers likely at night.
Charges dropped against former Fisher aide
5/15/09, 8:55 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Attorney General Drew Edmondson has dropped five felony charges against an aide to former Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher. Fisher served prison time on convictions for embezzlement and perjury tied to an election campaign and later pleaded no contest to a bribery charge. As part of that investigation, charges were brought against 74-year-old Opal Ellis of Edmond. Ellis had been a special assistant to Fisher, but was fired in 2004 after he resigned. Her attorney, John Coyle, says Edmondson notified him Thursday of the decision to drop the charges including embezzlement.
Ellis says she has been suffering from health problems, including foot surgery.
State hasn't turned in stimulus plan yet
5/14/09, 3:54 p.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Oklahoma has yet to submit a plan for about $575 million provided to the state by the federal stimulus package passed more than two months ago. A spokesman for Gov. Brad Henry says the state expects to file the final paperwork in the next few days. Paul Sund says the stimulus money is part of discussions on the state budget and because no budget agreement has been reached it has delayed finalizing the state's plan. The stimulus package approved by Congress is for $787 billion and as of May 5 Oklahoma has received $110.7 million to help avoid budget cuts.
House passes civil justice bill
5/14/09, 3:50 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma House has passed legislation that would alter the way Oklahomans file and litigate lawsuits. Lawmakers passed the bill Thursday in a bipartisan 86-13 vote. It now goes to the state Senate for final passage.
Among other things, the measure would cap non-economic damages, also known as pain and suffering, at $400,000 but allow a judge or jury to waive the cap in cases of gross negligence or catastrophic injury. The bill requires that a task force be created to study a taxpayer-funded indemnity fund that would purchase a $20 million insurance policy to pay non-economic damages in excess of $400,000. Several lawmakers questioned whether the idea is constitutional. Rep. Paul Wesselhoft of Moore said the fund was essentially a taxpayer-funded bailout of bad doctors.
Oklahoma wheat harvest to drop by 52 percent
5/14/09, 12:06 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Some wheat analysts now say the wheat crop in Oklahoma this year could be the smallest in five decades. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates the winter wheat harvest will be down 52 percent from last year. The USDA predicts about 80.5 million bushels this year compared to 166.5 million last year. Oklahoma Wheat Commission director Mike Schulte says the estimate averages out to 23 bushels per acre on 3.5 million acres. Experts say a drought from October through May followed by a freeze in April are the prime reasons for the small crop.
Tornado touches down in Oklahoma
5/14/09, 11:58 am.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - No damage or injuries have been reported from a line of severe thunderstorms that spawned at least one tornado in Oklahoma overnight. Caddo County Emergency Management Director Larry McDuffey says there was damage in the cities of Anadarko and Gracemont, although officials aren't sure if it was caused by a tornado or straight-line winds.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that downed trees and power lines had led to the closure of U.S. Highways 62 and 281, effectively closing off Anadarko to traffic from the east. McDuffey added that dozens of inmates were evacuated from the Caddo County jail because of a gas line break. A tornado was also reported near Tonkawa in Kay County, although emergency management officials couldn't locate a damage path. As many as 8,000 customers were without electricity at one point.
Hispanic population grows by more than 55 percent in Oklahoma
5/14/09, 11:43 a.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - New census estimates show that Oklahoma's Hispanic population has grown by more than 55 percent since 2000. Estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce showed that there are nearly 100,000 more Hispanic people living in the state than there were nine years ago. The estimated Hispanic population last year was nearly 8 percent of Oklahoma's total population of 3.6 million. In 2000, it was about 5.2 percent. Texas County had the largest proportion of Hispanic population in Oklahoma, with 42 percent. The county is located in the middle of the Panhandle and has several meat processing and oil and gas exploration operations Harmon County, also on the Texas border, was the second-largest at 25 percent.
Senate adopts sovereignty resolution
5/14/09, 11:29 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Senate has adopted a resolution expressing Oklahoma's sovereignty under the 10th Amendment. The resolution, by Rep. Charles Key of Oklahoma City and Sen. Randy Brogdon of Owasso, does not carry the force of law. Brogdon says the federal government has usurped state rights by using "the promise of money, or the threats of withholding it, to coerce states into giving up their sovereignty." He said the federal government, under President Barack Obama's stimulus plan, is trying to "dictate Oklahoma's budget." Gov. Brad Henry has vetoed a bill expressing similar sentiments.
Lawmakers seek oversight on any water deal
5/14/09, 9:18 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Two eastern Oklahoma senators say they want the Oklahoma Legislature to set rules for the sale of water to other states. Oklahoma has had a moratorium on the proposed sale of water from southeastern Oklahoma to Texas entities. But a federal court in New Mexico has struck down a similar moratorium in that state. Sens. Jim Wilson of Tahlequah and Jerry Ellis of Valliant say the Water Resources Board should not be able to sell water to Texas based on subjective criteria. Oklahoma's moratorium on water sales expires in November. A trial is set to begin in December on a Texas water district's efforts to buy Oklahoma water.
22 swine flu cases confirmed
5/13/09, 4:35 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma State Department of Health says the number of confirmed cases of swine flu in Oklahoma has risen to 22. Health Department spokesman Larry Weatherford says a case reported on Wednesday involved a female child in Oklahoma County and a case reported on Tuesday involved a female teenager in Garfield County. Weatherford says no additional details on the newest cases were available. According to the agency's Web site, one person who contracted the H1N1 virus was hospitalized but almost all of those diagnosed have recovered. Across the U.S., there have been 3,009 confirmed cases of swine flu and three deaths in 45 states.
State retirement system terminates contract
5/13/09, 4:25 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Board of Trustees for the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System has voted to terminate its relationship with an equity firm that has been accused of illegal activity. The board voted unanimously Wednesday to stop its dealings with Aldus Equity Partners. Retirement fund executive secretary James Wilbanks says Aldus has only handled $11 million in investments so far and that the
state has lost no money. The company was selected last June to handle $450 million in investments from the teacher retirement fund over a three-year period. The company has come under investigation by New York prosecutors into allegations of a kickback scheme in that state.
Oklahoma denied bid to block spread of poultry waste
5/13/09, 4:06 p.m.
DENVER (AP) - A federal appeals court rejected Oklahoma's bid to stop poultry growers in Oklahoma and Arkansas from spreading poultry waste in the Illinois River watershed while an environmental lawsuit winds its way through court. In its opinion issued Wednesday, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled a federal judge was within his descretion in denying an injunction. The appellate court said the state failed to link the poultry waste - which is used as fertilizer - to bacteria in the watershed. The poultry industry argues that cattle and human waste could also be causing elevated levels of bacteria in the watershed.
Revenue takes steep dive in April
5/12/09, 11:35 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State tax collections took a dive in April, raising the possibility that the state will not have enough money to pay its bills for the current fiscal year. Tax collections in April were 21.6 percent below the same month a year ago and 21.1 percent below the estimate upon which the state budget is based for the fiscal year ending June 30. A similar drop in collections next month would force across-the-board state agency budget cuts under the Oklahoma Constitution. April collections for all major tax categories - except sales taxes - were well below the estimate. Oil and gas taxes were down 65 percent from last year and income taxes dropped by nearly 22 percent.
Budget accord eluding leaders
5/12/09, 11:30 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Legislature entered what is supposed to be its final two weeks of work today with no agreement on a budget. House Speaker Chris Benge, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee and Gov. Brad Henry had nothing new to report on resolving differences. No one is talking on the record, but there are signs the hang-ups are over funding for education and health care. Coffee says there are always differences of opinion, but all sides are close and will find a way to get it done. Benge said he couldn't specify why the delays are occurring but said there are areas that needed shoring up. Henry says negotiations are in the early stages and he is optimistic an agreement can be reached this week. If not, Henry says the adjournment deadline set by the Constitution is May 29th.
Winter wheat forecast down
5/12/09, 11:08 a.m.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - The National Agricultural Statistics Service says a devastating spring freeze that caused huge crop losses in Texas and Oklahoma will result in a national winter wheat harvest that's 20 percent smaller than last year's crop.
But in Kansas the official forecast is for 340 million bushels this year, down only slightly from 356 million bushels a year ago. This season's Kansas forecast is based on 8.5 million harvested acres and yields of 40 bushels an acre.
In Nebraska the forecast is for 67.2 million bushels - down 9 percent from 73.5 million bushels last year.
Median home prices fell nationwide in 1Q, up in OC
5/12/09, 10:43 a.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Home prices fell in nearly nine out of every 10 U.S. cities in the first quarter of this year but Oklahoma City is one of the few where prices rose. The National Association of Realtors said today that the median sales prices of existing homes fell in 134 of 152 metro areas as first-time buyers looking for bargains dominated the market.
Oklahoma City is one of the 18 cities where prices rose. The median price is up 4 percent from a year ago - from $124,900 to $129,900. The prices for Tulsa were not available. Nationwide, sales of foreclosures and other distressed properties made up about half of the market. Overall, sales fell 3.2 percent from the year-ago period.
Food stamp recipients set another record
5/12/09, 9:16 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The number of Oklahomans receiving food stamps continues to set records. The state Department of Human Services reports 12.8 percent of the state's population now receives food stamps.
DHS says there were 463,426 people who qualified for the assistance in April, an increase of about 13,000 from March. The number of Oklahomans qualifying for food stamps has risen each month since March 2008 and record highs started being set in February.
6 new H1N1 flu cases reported in Oklahoma
5/11/09, 3:45 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State health officials are reporting six new confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in Oklahoma, bringing to 20 the total number of confirmed cases in the state. The cases confirmed Monday include two children in Tulsa County, a woman in Payne County, a man in Cleveland County, a man in Canadian County and a teenage girl in Kay County.
The latest cases include people who reported flu-like symptoms from April 23 through May 7. The health department says most of those diagnosed with the virus have recovered.
Health officials say the number of people with H1N1 flu will continue to increase in Oklahoma, and they urge those with flu symptoms to stay home from work or school. Across the U.S., there have been 2,600 confirmed cases and 3 deaths from H1N1 flu across 44 states.
Agreement reached on civil justice plan
5/11/09, 3:15 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Compromise legislation affecting the way Oklahomans file and litigate lawsuits has been unveiled by Republican legislative leaders. Lawmakers described Monday's announcement as a historic agreement that will help block frivolous lawsuits and lower medical malpractice and other insurance costs.
The compromise bill was revealed less than three weeks before lawmakers must adjourn the 2009 Legislature. It was forged over months of negotiations with trial attorneys and patient advocacy groups opposed to civil justice requirements that might block Oklahomans' access to the courts. Gov. Brad Henry described it as a strong piece of reform legislation and perhaps the most comprehensive tort bill in state history. Among other things it would require a certificate from an expert that a lawsuit has merit before it can proceed and change class-action lawsuit guidelines.
Ten Commandments bill wins final OK
5/11/09, 2:46 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Senate has given final approval to a bill to permit a Ten Commandments monument to be erected on the grounds of the state Capitol. The bill now goes to Gov. Brad Henry.
The executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Barry Lynn, is urging Henry to veto the bill. Lynn says the bill is unconstitutional and "it's begging for a legal challenge."
Budget work shouldn't require special session
5/11/09, 9:20 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry and legislative leaders have agreed to keep their negotiations for next year's budget secret, but all parties agree that a special session shouldn't be necessary.
The governor and lawmakers have already exchanged proposals for the budget, which is expected to require some cuts from this year's $7.1 billion budget. While the state has about $900 million less in general fund revenues, House Speaker Chris Benge says he believes the budget will be less than $300 million smaller than last year because of federal stimulus funds.
Lawmakers hope to wrap up their work by May 22, a week before required by the state Constitution. To get the budget work done, lawmakers plan to work on the next two Fridays instead of taking their usual day off.
Henry vetoes school deregulation bill
5/11/09, 9:09 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry has vetoed legislation that would allow public schools to operate as charter schools free of many state school mandates. Henry vetoed the Republican-supported bill Friday, saying it would turn back the clock on decades of education reforms.
The bill was supported by some school administrators and school boards who claimed it would have given them more local control. It was opposed by the Oklahoma Education Association, which said it could eliminate school librarians and counselors. Henry says local school administrators could ignore rigorous state standards and create their own academic benchmarks and rules under the bill.
The Democratic governor says it would be a disastrous step backward to approve legislation that weakens state standards, abolishes historic reforms and reduces rights and benefits provided to teachers.
Insure Oklahoma gets bipartisan boost
5/11/09, 8:46 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry's innovative program to reduce the number of Oklahomans without health insurance is now getting a boost from the other side of the aisle. The Democratic governor signed a Republican-backed bill this week designed to enhance the Insure Oklahoma program he developed. The public-private partnership has enrolled more than 18,000 Oklahomans in employee-sponsored or individual health insurance plans and is signing up new participants at the rate of about 1,000 a month. GOP leaders say the changes will increase enrollment and make health insurance more accessible while reducing the cost of health insurance plans.
Gas prices top $2 per gallon in Oklahoma
5/8/09, 4:22 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The price of gasoline has gone back above $2 per gallon in Oklahoma. AAA Oklahoma reported Friday the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the state is just more than $2.02. AAA spokesman Chuck Mai says it's difficult to find a reason for the increase other than a general feeling that the economy is starting to recover.
The price is the highest gas has been in Oklahoma since Nov. 8, 2008 and is an increase of 24 cents per gallon since mid-March - but is $1.47 lower than it was one year ago. The price in Oklahoma is third lowest in the nation behind Arizona and South Carolina while the highest average is in Washington at nearly $2.42 per gallon.
