Archive for the Week of November 9, 2008 - November 15, 2008
News Archives (Week of November 9, 2008)
Former Fort Sill soldier becomes first female four-star general
11/14/08, 2:45 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) - A former Fort Sill soldier has made military history. At a Pentagon promotion ceremony today Ann Dunwoody was promoted to four-star general - the first woman to reach that level in the U.S. military. Later today at Fort Belvoir, Va., she'll be sworn in as commander of the Army Material Command which is responsible for equipping, outfitting and arming all soldiers.
She was nominated by President George W. Bush in June for promotion to four-star rank and her nomination was confirmed by the Senate in July. Dunwoody received her Army commission after graduating from the State University of New York in 1975 and her first assignment was to Fort Sill as supply platoon leader in June 1976. She remained at Sill in various positions until she was sent to quartermaster officer school at Fort Lee, Va., in 1980.
Tulsa resort to be named Hard Rock Casino
11/14/08, 2:40 p.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The Cherokee Nation is planning to brand its expanded 19-story hotel and casino near Tulsa as the Hard Rock Casino Tulsa. Cherokee Nation Enterprises announced Friday a license agreement
with Hard Rock Hotel Holdings.
The agreement still must be approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission. As part of the Hard Rock brand, the new resort will include the traditional Hard Rock decor, memorabilia and merchandise, and will have influences from Cherokee heritage and Oklahoma's musical history.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith says the tribe retains full ownership and management of the facility. The $155 million expansion project is nearing completion, with the new gaming floor expected to open in December and the hotel set to open in spring 2009.
PBS to do documentary on Cherokee language program
11/14/08, 2:22 p.m.
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) - A program that teaches the Cherokee language to Cherokee children will be featured in a PBS documentary. A film crew and producer for "We Shall Remain" were in Tahlequah Thursday to visit the Cherokee Language Immersion School and interview Principal Chief Chad Smith and others.
"We Shall Remain" will be a five-part documentary beginning in April. The series will cover major turning points in relations between American Indians from the 1600s through the early 1970s. The Cherokee language program has 58 students ranging from 3- to 8-years-old.
Federal lawmakers lament new gaming regulations
11/14/08, 1:16 p.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The head of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association says new regulations on electronic bingo games will cost Oklahoma's tribal casinos millions of dollars more than an economic study predicts The National Indian Gaming Commission adopted the regulations.
One deals with the physical and communications security of the bingo-like games and the second ensures the systems operate properly and remain resistant to tampering. The NIGC says the economic impact of the two regulations is expected to be about $7.8 million. But a study supported by the Oklahoma commission says the impact would be about $145 million. OIGA Chairman David Qualls says the regulations are a last-ditch effort by the national commission to act on Class II gaming without congressional oversight.
Oklahoma reservoir to be part of federal study
11/14/08, 10:15 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Lake Altus-Lugert in southwestern Oklahoma will be part of a federal study on how changes in the climate affect the state's water supply. Scientists from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation plan to study the demand for water at the lake and how climate change relates to water levels.
Data from the $100,000 study will be used in the planning for Oklahoma's Comprehensive Water Plan which will be finished in 2011. The Altus-Lugert reservoir is the primary source of irrigation for more than half of the state's cotton crop. More than 100,000 bales of cotton worth $35 million are produced in a typical year and has an estimated economic impact of $220 million to Jackson County alone.
Coburn concerned about bailout
11/14/08, 9:33 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - An Oklahoma senator who supported a $700 billion financial rescue plan say he's concerned that the intended program won't be implemented. Sen. Tom Coburn joined two other Republican senators in signing a letter to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson expressing "deep concern" that the mechanics of the program have been changed.
The Bush administration has changed the bailout package by dropping the idea of buying banks' troubled assets - which was the centerpiece of the original proposal. The plan now is to buy bank stocks. The letter says the proposal to Congress was a plan to buy up"toxic" assets and the quick change raises questions about the original design as well as the propriety of future plans. Paulson says at the time officials believed buying troubled assets was the best idea but soon decide that would take too much time and buying stocks instead would be more effective.
OKC police release gang numbers
11/13/08, 5:11 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Police say about 38-hundred people in the Oklahoma City area are considered gang members under a national classification system. This number is less than the figure sited Wednesday at a law enforcement seminar by police officer Tim Hock, a member of the department's gang unit. Hock had said between 6,000 and 7,000 people are affiliated with major gangs in the area. Police Capt. Steve McCool said that estimate was based on a different and less restrictive criteria than the one currently being used to identify gang members.
Joplin hospital cutting 160 jobs
11/13/08, 5:09 p.m.
JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - Missouri-based St. John's Regional Medical Center is closing a primary-care clinic in Grove as part of a plan to cut $30 million dollars in expenses. The medical center will also close a primary-care clinic in Girard, Kan., and eliminate a total of 160 jobs.
Hospital chief George Caralis says competition with another local hospital and a rising number of uninsured patients prompted the move. He also said Medicaid reimbursements haven't changed in eight years. Caralis has unveiled St. John's new "Mission Forward" plan that narrows the hospital's focus to its core services. The center will focus on services connected to cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, women's services and neuroscience's.
Health task force wraps up work
11/13/08, 4:53 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Ways to improve Oklahoma's health care system have been submitted by lawmakers as a legislative task force on health care wraps up its work. Recommendations submitted by lawmakers on Thursday will be used to develop health care legislation that will be considered by the 2009 Oklahoma Legislature. Recommendations were submitted earlier by Oklahoma's health commissioner, Dr. James M. Crutcher, and other task force participants.
Lawmakers said the goal of the health care legislation should be improving Oklahomans overall health and reducing the number of uninsured Oklahomans. Currently, there are an estimated 650,000 uninsured people in the state.
Among lawmaker recommendations was expansion of the Insure Oklahoma program. The public-private partnership is designed to help small businesses provide health care coverage for their low- and middle-income employees.
Hearing officer to decide former judge's retirement dispute
11/13/08, 3:26 p.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A former judge who was convicted of indecent exposure is trying to get his retirement benefits reinstated. The attorney for former Creek County District Judge Donald Thompson says Thompson did not violate his oath of office and is entitled to the benefits. The Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System revoked Thompson's benefits after he was found guilty in 2006 on four felony counts of indecent exposure. He was convicted of using a "penis pump" while presiding over trials and served about 20 months in prison. Thompson is appealing the revocation of his $7,789 a month retirement benefits to hearing officer Lee Slater. Slater's recommendation to the board is expected by Jan. 23.
Oklahoma poised to become renewable energy leader
11/13/08, 10:15 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - With a huge wind corridor in western Oklahoma and local researchers working on creating biofuels from perennial native grasses, experts say Oklahoma is poised to become a leader in the renewable energy industry. Speaking Wednesday at the Oklahoma Biofuels Conference in Oklahoma City, renewable energy experts say the emphasis on biofuels and wind energy likely will continue under President-elect Obama's administration.
Oklahoma Energy Secretary David Fleischaker says Oklahoma has 40,000 megawatts of wind potential in western Oklahoma. He says the Obama administration's attitude toward bringing wind into the grid will greatly benefit that industry in Oklahoma. He also says he anticipates more funding of research into biofuels technology.
Underwood hosts, wins female vocalist award
11/13/08, 10:10 a.m.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Kenny Chesney tied Oklahoman Garth Brooks for the most wins in the entertainer of the year category after picking up his fourth honor at the CMA awards Wednesday night in Nashville. The ceremony was highlighted by a lavish performance by Taylor Swift, a surprise appearance by rapper Lil Wayne in a duet with Kid Rock, and the return of one of country's biggest stars, Shania Twain.
Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood not only co-hosted the show with Brad Paisley, but picked up her third straight female vocalist award. Underwood joked to her mother it was hard to sing with her crying in the second row.
The award came after her performance of her No. 1 hit "Just a Dream," about a woman who lost her loved one in war. The song was introduced by Leslie Ponder who lost her husband in Afghanistan. Paisley won video of the year honors. Brooks & Dunn have sang "Cowgirls Don't Cry" with country great and Oklahoma native Reba McEntire, who they say inspired the tune. Chensey performed his hit "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" with the reggae band the Wailers backing him up.
Economy holding up; state revenue fine
11/13/08, 9:59 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A new state revenue report indicates the Oklahoma economy is still holding up well as the nation's economy founders. But officials say they are keeping a close eye on signs that the state will be affected in future months by the national downturn. State sales and income tax collections rose in October over the same month a year ago.
However, state Treasurer Scott Meacham says the increase in income tax receipts is tied to a program to speed up collection of back taxes. Economist Lynn Gray of the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission says officials have seen signs of slower economic activity in the state.
Henry endorses renewable energy goal
11/12/08, 2:06 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry has endorsed an initiative to have renewable energy comprise 25 percent of U.S. energy needs by the year 2025. Dubbed the 25x25 Vision, the campaign is aimed at reducing the nation's dependence on foreign oil.
Henry said Wednesday that the state is committed to development of renewable energy sources. Henry says Oklahoma can play a role by developing biofuels, wind energy and other renewable energy sources.
The effort is an attempt to increase energy security, economic well-being and environmental protection while reducing the amount of oil imported into the U.S. Oklahoma is one of the top producers of fossil fuels in the nation, producing nearly 10 percent of the country's natural gas and 3 percent of all crude oil in the U.S.
State gets "D" for number of preterm births
11/12/08, 1:59 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The March of Dimes gives Oklahoma a "D" for the number of premature births in the state. The "Premature Birth Report Card" released Wednesday says Oklahoma's risk factors include poor maternal health and a lack of insurance.
The report says the state's premature birth rate is 13.1 percent and the preterm birth rate rose 20 percent from 1995 to 2005. The nationwide preterm birth rate is 12.7 percent. No states scored an "A" on the report and 18 states got a failing grade of "F.
Celine Dion postpones Tulsa concert
11/12/08, 1:35 p.m.
TULSA - Celine Dion has postponed her concert, scheduled for Thursday night at Tulsa's BOK Center, due to illness. The singer has inflamed vocal cords.
The sold-out Tulsa show is one of four that Dion has postponed due to her illness. The concert has been rescheduled for Feburary 2, 2009 at the new BOK Center in downtown Tulsa.
Ada hospital board votes to fire CEO
11/12/08, 1:04 p.m.
ADA, Okla. (AP) - The board of directors at Valley View Regional Hospital in Ada have voted to fire the hospital's president and chief executive officer. The board voted unanimously to fire CEO Ron Webb Tuesday as head of the 200-bed, not-for-profit community hospital.
Board member Jim Dicus says the board determined Webb failed to supervise the business operation of the hospital, including the collection of accounts and control of expenditures. The move comes just two weeks after the hospital announced plans to lay off 127 employees. Dicus says Webb will receive a severance package identical to that offered employees - one week of pay for each year of service. Webb has served as the hospital's CEO for four years.
Combat veterans face higher mortality rates
11/12/08, 11:47 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Of all the obstacles facing soldiers when they return home from a war-zone deployment, dying in a car crash may not appear to be at the top of the list. But a recent study by an Army medical researcher shows veterans returning from a war zone are more than 25 percent more likely to
die in a car accident than their military counterparts who didn't see combat.
Dr. Joseph Knapik presented his findings today during a seminar at the University of Oklahoma's College of Public Health. Knapik analyzed the findings of a host of studies on combat veterans from Vietnam and the first Gulf War. He says the studies show combat veterans are more likely to speed and less likely to use seat belts or wear motorcycle helmets.
Overall, combat veterans were 25 percent more likely to die from post-conflict, injury-related deaths than their counterparts who served in the military during the same time period but who did not see combat.
Veterans honored on Veterans Day
11/11/08, 5:22 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Hundreds of people gathered at ceremonies in Oklahoma City today to honor the state's veterans on Veteran's Day. Veterans of conflicts stretching from World War II to Iraq gathered at the 45th Infantry Division Museum Tuesday to honor the sacrifices of Oklahoma's servicemen and women.
Among those on hand was Thomas Wilkins who in the first wave of troops to storm onto Omaha Beach on D-Day to start the Allied invasion of France in World War II. State adjutant general, Major Gen. Harry Wyatt says while Americans scorned Vietnam veterans when they returned home the nation has since learned to separate the warrior from the war and honor the soldiers.
At a separate ceremony, hundreds of veterans and members of biker organizations gathered at Veterans Memorial Park near the state Capitol. Organizers urged them to honor veterans throughout the year, not just on Veterans Day.
Endowment awards first set of grants
11/11/08, 4:18 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A state economic development fund is giving $12 million to help develop new technology in the fields of aerospace, weather science and biotechnology. The Economic Development Generating Excellence - or EDGE - fund is intended to support innovation to boost the state's economy and
create jobs.
The state's goal is to create a $1 billion endowment to make Oklahoma a research capital. Those receiving the grants are Orthocare Innovations; the Charlesson company; and the companies Halose and Cytovance Biologics. Also getting funding is a consortium between the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University and other interests; and industrial engineering professor Shivakumar Raman.
Council approves tobacco compact
11/11/08, 2:17 p.m.
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) - The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council has approved a new tobacco compact with the state that calls for a flat rate of $6.65 in taxes per carton of cigarettes. The tribal council voted unanimously for the compact and also approved a motion regarding the rebate of tobacco taxes to tobacco shops in border areas of the Cherokee Nation.
Tribal smoke shop business owners thanked Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith and the tribe for their work on the negotiation phase of the new compact. Smith says the compact brings to closure four years of conflict over the existing compact agreement and will conclude the state's arbitration process.
Tulsa fitness program off to fast start
11/11/08, 11:19 a.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A fitness initiative promoted by Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor appears to be off to a fast start. Taylor says that since the launch of the "Tulsa Million Miles" program on Oct. 21, Tulsa residents have recorded more than 25,000 miles running, walking, biking or swimming. That's approximately equivalent to circling the earth at the equator once.
The program has been designed by city officials to encourage Tulsa residents to become fit and stay healthy. Those participating in the program can log onto the Web site www.tulsamillionmiles.com and record their miles. Taylor says she's contributed 34.95 miles toward the current total.
Conference focuses on safety, health
11/11/08, 10:52 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - About 750 educators heard about gang awareness, addiction, physical education and other issues at the State Superintendent's 10th Annual Safe and Healthy Schools Conference today. The one-day event in Oklahoma City focused on preventing problems and on how to keep students safe and healthy.
With more than 1,000 people in Oklahoma identified as gang members, a gang expert said teachers and school administrators have become important players in prevention efforts. Northeastern State University associate professor Michael Wilds says the groups of children being approached by gangs are getting younger and younger. In at least one instance, a child as young as eight had been identified as a gang member. Wilds says it's important for teachers and administrators to know how to spot gang signs, tattoos and grafitti so that they can discuss the subject with students.
Assistant Superintendent Lisa Pryor says officials also are concerned about cyber bullying and predators on the Internet. Pryor says because computers have joined books and three-ring binders as tools used by children at school every day, it's important kids have a safe online environment.
Health task force developing recommendations
11/11/08, 10:16 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Increasing the availability of health care services, improving the quality of Oklahoma's health care system and stressing disease prevention to decrease demand are among early
recommendations by members of a legislative task force. Following months of hearings, participants in the Health Care Reform Task Force have begun submitting ideas that may be included in legislation next year to address health care issues and decrease the number of uninsured Oklahomans.
Oklahoma's health commissioner, Dr. James M. Crutcher, says the state also suffers from an inadequate supply of health care workers, poor access to mental health and addiction services and issues involving the quality and cost of health services. Additional recommendations have been submitted by various other groups including The State Chamber. The statewide business and industry group says it supports building on the employer-based health insurance system to improve quality, rein in costs and expand coverage.
Oklahomans prepare for digital TV
11/11/08, 9:04 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Thousands of television viewers in Oklahoma could soon find nothing on their screens but static. TV stations across the nation will switch to digital TV on Feb. 17, forcing over-the-air TV viewers with traditional analog television sets to purchase digital-to-analog converter boxes and possibly upgrade their antennas.
Oklahoma Educational Television Authority officials held a series of public meetings Monday as part of an effort by the Public Broadcasting Service to answer viewer questions about the government-mandated switchover and what will be required to receive TV signals with analog TV sets after the switch.
Lori Holliday, the deputy director for educational outreach at OETA, notes that Oklahoma is a rural state and estimates that between 17 percent and 20 percent of Oklahomans are over-the-air viewers. That means they view television directly from analog signals transmitted by TV stations and will need to obtain digital-to-analog converter boxes. Coupons are available to help defray the cost of these boxes.
Election system change eyed
11/10/08, 1:36 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Vote-counting went smoothly during the general election in Oklahoma last week, but the state's election machinery is outdated and may soon be headed for the scrap heap.
State Election Board Secretary Michael Clingman is hopeful a new voting system will be in place for the 2010 election. Clingman says at least two companies are working on a new system that will fulfill the state's needs, including an audio system to assist handicapped voters.
Most voters will not notice a difference under the new system, which will continue to use optical scanners and paper ballots. It also will have the capability of taking a photograph of each ballot cast. Oklahoma has about $28 million in federal funds to finance the new system.
HB 1804 law foes are diverse
11/10/08, 10:59 a.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The opponents to Oklahoma's anti-illegal immigrant bill form a diverse group. Labor unions,the American Civil Liberties Union and advocates for immigrants are joining business groups such as the Tulsa, Oklahoma and national chambers of commerce in a legal challenge of House Bill 1804.
The coalition has submitted arguments to the federal appeals court in Denver against the employment-related parts of the law. Much of the opposition is focused on the part of HB 1804 that requires employers doing business with the state to use a voluntary federal worker verification system. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says the diverse opposition is united by the belief that the federal government - not states - should not be setting immigration policy Lawyers in the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office are defending the law.
Boil water order in Colcord, school canceled
11/10/08, 9:35 a.m.
COLCORD, Okla. (AP) - A water problem in Colcord in northeastern Oklahoma has led to a boil water order for the city and cancellation of classes for a day in the Colcord school district.
Delaware County Emergency Management Director Bill Sooter says a city well stopped working Sunday because of a valve problem. Colcord School Superintendent J.D. Parkerson says classes were canceled for Monday because officials couldn't get enough get bottled water for the district's 700 students.
Bottled water is being distributed to residents at the Colcord Police Department. Sooter says water service has been restored for some but anyone using tap water for drinking or cooking should boil it first. Officials are hoping the water will be found to be safe by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Asphalt shortage delays road repairs nationwide
11/10/08, 9:15 a.m.
SEATTLE (AP) - An asphalt shortage is delaying road maintenance projects in communities nationwide, including Oklahoma. Asphalt is becoming scarce as U.S. refiners overhaul their equipment to maximize output of highly profitable fuels such as diesel and gasoline, using inexpensive -- and hard to process --
crude oil. To make things worse, refiners are also cutting back on the production of a petrochemical that many states mix into asphalt to make roads more durable.
Dozens of road repairs were delayed last summer and municipalities around the country may face another shortfall next summer. Road-maintenance projects that have gone forward cost significantly more as the price of asphalt nearly tripled over the past year. Municipalities in Alaska, New York, Colorado, Oklahoma, Idaho, Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada and Washington state have blamed road work delays on asphalt shortages.
Winning Powerball ticket in Oklahoma worth $200K
11/10/08, 8:47 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A Powerball ticket sold in Oklahoma is worth $200,000. None of the tickets sold for Saturday night's Powerball drawing matched all six numbers, which were 2, 4, 21, 36 and 40 with a Powerball of 41. But four tickets, including one sold in Oklahoma, matched the first five numbers.
Three of those are worth $200,000, and the fourth, sold in Pennsylvania, is worth $400,000 because of the Power Play option. All Powerball prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date.
Plaintiffs ask court to reinstate Grisham suit
11/09/08, 2:46 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Plaintiffs in a libel lawsuit filed against best-selling author John Grisham are asking a federal appeals court to reinstate their case. Former Pontotoc County District Attorney Bill Peterson, former Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation investigator Gary Rogers and Melvin Hett, a state criminologist, filed suit last year against Grisham and two other writers over books the authors wrote about the wrongful conviction of two men in a 1982 murder.
Peterson, Rogers and Hett helped win the original convictions in the slaying of cocktail waitress Debbie Sue Carter. U.S. District Judge Ronald White dismissed the case in September, but the plaintiffs have appealed to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver. The two men initially convicted in the slaying were later cleared by DNA evidence and freed after 12 years in prison. A key witness for the prosecution, Glen Gore, was later linked to the crime by DNA, found guilty of the murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Poll: Economy top concern of state residents
11/09/08, 12:18 p.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A recent poll shows concern about the nation's economy dwarfs all other issues among Oklahomans asked to rank the state's most pressing problems. Thirty-six percent of Oklahomans questioned by SoonerPoll.com in late October say the economy is the No. 1 issue facing the state. That's 50 percent above the previous high in January of this year.
The telephone poll of 357 likely voters, sponsored by the
TulsaWorld and KOTV, channel 6, has a margin of error of plus or minus about five percentage points.
A distant second among the list of concerns of those polled was education at 14 percent, followed by roads (12 percent), cost of health care (5 percent) and unemployment (5 percent).
Abortion bill described as threat to clinic
11/09/08, 10:52 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - An attorney for Tulsa's main abortion clinic says it would have been forced to end many of its services if a new state law had not been blocked by court order. The law prohibits a woman from getting an abortion unless she first has an ultrasound and the doctor describes to her what the fetus looks like. A judge approved a temporary restraining order against late last month. Attorney Stephanie Toti says staff and time requirements of the law would have eventually spelled the end of the non-profit clinic. Republican state Senator Todd Lamb, a chief supporter of the law, said it would not require a clinic to add new employees and fails to see how it would force one out of business.
AG Edmondson says producers who sold goods to SemGroup are due
payments
11/09/08, 9:16 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson says oil and gas producers who sold goods on credit to now-bankrupt SemGroup and its subsidiaries are legally due payments. Edmondson says in an opinion released today that the payments are due regardless of the company's bankruptcy status. Tulsa-based SemGroup filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection July 22 leaving the oil and gas producers without payment. Court records show the company may owe the producers from $400 million to more than $1 billion for oil and gas picked up in the weeks before the bankruptcy filing.
Thousands of illegals deported from Oklahoma, Texas
11/09/08, 8:45 a.m.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Federal immigration officials have deported more than 100,000 illegal immigrants from Oklahoma and Texas in the past 12 months. The Dallas office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement returned more than 16,300 illegal immigrants to their home countries after they were found in North Texas and Oklahoma. ICE's Dallas office covers counties in North Texas and the entire state of Oklahoma. The office also began deportation proceedings against more than 15,200 immigrants who are in jails or prisons.
Regents offer lawmakers no-tuition-hike budget
11/09/08, 8:16 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education offered not to raise tuition for next school year if the legislature approves the panel's $1.12 billion budget request. The proposed budget is nearly $87 million higher than this year's spending plan.
Higher Education Chancellor Glen Johnson said Friday approval of the request would allow the system to avoid tuition increases that have been as high as 9 percent at some colleges in recent years. Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis said the plan
provides relief to families struggling with constant hikes in tuition.
University of Oklahoma President David Boren called the proposal a historic opportunity for the legislature to take action to avoid the need for tuition increases.
