Archive for the Week of November 16, 2008 - November 22, 2008
News Archives (Week of November 16, 2008)
Tickets, licenses could depend on health coverage
11/21/08, 12:39 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland says "inducements" to penalize people who fail to carry health insurance would help raise the number of people with insurance. The possible inducements Holland is proposing include forfeiting season football tickets to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State games or taking away licenses to drive, hunt or fish.
Other possible inducements include forfeiting lottery winnings, taking away state income tax deductions or revoking in-state tuition discounts. Holland said during a summit on the cost of health insurance that there needs to be a consequence for people who don't insure themselves. A survey this year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found one-third of Oklahomans have no health coverage. That's the highest rate of uninsured residents in the nation.
Order closes Stipe case
11/21/08, 12:18 p.m.
MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) - A federal judge dismisses a petition seeking to revoke probation for former state Senator Gene Stipe. The decision earlier this week by U.S. District Judge Ronald White effectively closes the case against Stipe, who was found mentally incompetent to assist in his defense last month.
White wrote in his order that had competency not been an issue, he probably would've found that Stipe violated his probation. The judge noted that Stipe's attorneys acknowledged he had unauthorized contact with Steve Covington, a fellow convicted felon who also is a business associate of Stipe's. The judge said such a ruling could've resulted in a four- to six-month prison sentence, which he said Stipe basically served during his two stays at a federal prison hospital in Missouri.
Federal prosecutors tried to revoke the 82-year-old's probation after he was accused of funneling excessive donations into the campaigns of candidates through straw donors. He was on probation for campaign violations and perjury in the failed congressional campaign of Walt Roberts.
Unemployment benefits to be sent electronically
11/21/08, 11:01 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The state will no longer mail unemployment checks starting next month, instead opting for direct deposit or electronic transfer to a debit card. Oklahoma Employment Security Commission spokesman John Carpenter said the change is expected to save $325,000 a year in postage costs. If direct deposit isn't an option, unemployment benefits will be available on a MasterCard-branded debit card that can be used to access funds at banks and ATMs and to pay for goods and services. People can sign up for electronic payment when filing their first unemployment claim.
OSU-Tulsa sets $650 tuition waiver 11/21/08, 9:12 a.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Officials at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa say because of the economic downturn the school will offer a $650 tuition waiver next semester for Oklahoma transfer students. Students must enroll in at least six credit hours per semester and depending on the student's grade-point average the waiver can continue for as long as three semesters. OSU-Tulsa President Gary Trennepohl says the offer is meant to help students who are worried that they don't have the financial stability to continue college in the spring.
Winter forecast mixed across the country
11/20/08, 2:33 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Government weather forecasts say winter looks likely to be mild in the Midwest and dry in the Southeast. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says warmer-than-average temperatures are expected for the nation's center, especially Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. The forecast also calls for more rain and snowfall than usual in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas.
The forecasters say long term forecasts are especially challenging this year because neither the El Nino or La Nina conditions are under way in the Pacific Ocean. Those warmer or cooler than normal water readings tend to affect climate across the country.
Cash available to avert beetle infestation
11/20/08, 2:18 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - More than $130,000 is being made available to forest landowners in southeast Oklahoma to avert a potential beetle infestation. State Forester John Burwell said Thursday there has been an increase in the population of the Southern Pine Beetle, one of the most destructive forest pests in the south.
Burwell says Oklahoma has more than 1 million acres of pine stands, more than half of which are at risk from the beetle. The program targets forest lands in LeFlore, McCurtain and Pushmataha counties. Qualifying properties are eligible for up to $40 per acre in cost-share funds, with noncommercial forests eligible for up to $60 per acre.
Man convicted in 'Precious Doe' killing gets life
11/20/08, 2:01 p.m.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - An Oklahoma man convicted of killing and beheading a 3-year-old girl known as "Precious Doe" has been sentenced to life in prison without parole in Missouri. Harrell Johnson was convicted last month in Kansas City of first-degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child and abuse of a child in the 2001 killing of Erica Green.
Life without parole was the only possible sentence after prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty after Johnson agreed to withdraw his request to have the case moved out of Kansas City. Johnson was the boyfriend of the girl's mother at the time Erica was killed. The judge also followed the jury's recommendation of a four-year sentence on the endangerment charge and 25 years on the abuse charge.
Eatery in E. coli outbreak to reopen
11/20/08, 11:06 a.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - State health officials and a Locust Grove eatery at the center of this summer's deadly E. coli outbreak have signed an agreement to reopen the restaurant. The two-page document, obtained by The Associated Press through an open records request, lists several conditions that must be met before the Country Cottage restaurant can reopen.
They include disconnecting a private well on the property, allowing for repeat environmental testing in the restaurant upon request and implementing a monitoring system for employee hand-washing, among others. The August outbreak became the largest in the nation's history for the rare E. coli strain O111, killing one man and sickening more than 300 adults and children in the blue-collar community of 1,500. Investigators have yet to identify the exact cause of the outbreak.
Offer would keep residency program at OSU hospital
11/20/08, 10:49 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A proposal made by St. John Medical Center to take over the operation of the Oklahoma State University Medical Center in Tulsa and maintain its residency program is being lauded
as a possible breakthrough. Still, the future of the OSU hospital and its residency program remained uncertain as officials from the state, city of Tulsa and St. John continued yesterday to discuss the best way to keep the facility open and subsidize indigent care in the state's second-largest city.
Neither officials from St. John nor state or city officials would discuss the details of the proposal. But citing sources familiar with the discussions, the Tulsa World reports that state officials could favorably view the plan because it would cap the amount of state money needed to help provide for indigent care. After that cap is reached, others in Tulsa would shoulder the financial burden, the sources said, and a public trust would have to be established to be responsible for the hospital. That trust wouldn't necessarily have to set up by the state, however.
Number of children in foster care drops
11/19/08, 12:25 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The average number of Oklahoma children in out-of-home foster care each day is below 7,000 for the first time in more than three years. The state Department of Human Services says the average daily number in September was 6,902 and is the sixth straight month the number has fallen.
The last time the average was below 7,000 was July 2005 and reached a high of 7,883 in May 2007. Department officials say the reduction is due to several factors including an increase in the number of children adopted and an emphasis on prevention programs to help families.
Increased funding in tobacco fight cited
11/19/08, 9:36 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State Treasurer Scott Meacham says a healthy increase in tobacco endowment earnings are the key reason funding for tobacco prevention has increased dramatically in Oklahoma. Meacham responded Tuesday to a national report by the Campaign for Tobbacco-Free Kids.
The report shows that since 2003, Oklahoma's ranking on funding tobacco prevention has increased from 41st among the 50 states to 13th. Primary funding to fight tobacco use comes from the investment of the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund, created by constitutional amendment in 2000. Meacham is chairman of the fund's board of investors.
In August, the board of investors certified $15.5 million in investment income, more than triple the earnings in 2005. Oklahoma is the only state in the nation to have invested money from the national tobacco settlement in a constitutionally protected trust fund.
Report: Oklahoma economy to slow in 2009
11/19/08, 9:27 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - An economist at Oklahoma State University is predicting Oklahoma job growth will be flat next year, but the employment picture in the state will continue to be better than that of the nation.
Economist Mark Snead said in his 2009 economic forecast that personal income growth will continue to grow, but at a slower pace of less than 4 percent, compared to 6 percent or more in recent years.
He said the state is approaching 95 percent of the national personal income level. He said job growth will be about 1.1 percent for 2008, but will be close to zero next year. Snead also said the oil and gas industry has helped keep Oklahoma relatively prosperous, but the economy has enjoyed broad-based growth in most areas.
Lawmakers sworn in for 2009 session
11/19/08, 9:24 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Republicans have officially assumed control of the Oklahoma Senate for the first time in history after a swearing-in ceremony for newly elected members. Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice James Winchester administered the oath of office Tuesday to 23 senators.
One senator, Republican Jim Reynolds of Oklahoma City, will be sworn in Wednesday after election results are certified. Republican Sen. Glenn Coffee of Oklahoma City presided over Tuesday's Senate session. He's the first-ever GOP President Pro Tem.
Republicans hold a 26-22 advantage over Democrats after the Nov. 4 general election. A swearing-in ceremony was scheduled later for the 101-member House which has been led by Republicans since 2004.
Oklahoma gas average: $1.85
11/19/08, 8:29 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The cost of gas in Oklahoma is about half what it was two months ago and is second lowest in the nation. AAA Oklahoma says the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular is down from an average of $3.65 on Sept. 18 to $1.85 today. The price is second only to Missouri's average of $1.77.
AAA Oklahoma spokesman Chuck Mai also says surveys indicate Thanksgiving travel will drop nationally and in Oklahoma this year. About 41 million Americans are expected to travel 50 or miles or more from home. That's down 600,000 travelers - or 1.4 percent - from last year. And about 439,500 Oklahomans are expected be on the road over the holiday. that's a 0.6 percent decrease from last year. The decreases are blamed on the overall state of the economy.
Pecan harvest likely less than half of last year
11/19/08, 8:26 a.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The Oklahoma pecan crop is expected to be down significantly this year because of last year's ice storm, spring rains and the biology of pecan trees. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates the pecan crop in the state will be between 11 million and 15 million pounds. The 2007 crop produced about 30 million pounds of pecans.
The ice storm broke branches of pecan trees and heavy spring rains hurt the development of the nut. And pecan trees have trouble creating high yields in consecutive years. Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association President Bob Knight says farmers are being paid slightly more per pound for the crop which helps offset the reduced yield. Pecan prices at the retail level are also up slightly.
Clingman shifts to finance office
11/17/08, 5:40 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State Election Board Secretary Mike Clingman has been named director of the Office of State Finance. The announcement was made Monday by Gov. Brad Henry. Clingman will succeed Tony Hutchison, who resigned earlier this year. As OSF director, Clingman will provide budget and policy support to the governor. The agency manages state revenue matters, processes payroll and vendor claims and oversees gaming compliance and state information systems.
Clingman, a Democrat, was named election board secretary in 2001 after the retirement of Lance Ward. The majority caucus controls the appointment of the election board chief. The new GOP majority is expected to name a Republican to the post, which requires Senate confirmation. Clingman has more than two decades of government service, including stints as commissioner of the Oklahoma Insurance Fund, administrator of the Oklahoma Workers Compensation Court and chief executive officer of the Arkansas Workers Compensation Commission.
GOP Legislature has 23 new faces
11/17/08, 5:29 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State House and Senate members being sworn into office include 23 new members. Officials are making preparation for swearing-in ceremonies on Tuesday in both legislative chambers.
Seventeen new House members and six new senators are among those who will be taking their oaths of office. Five of the six new senators are Republicans. As result of the Nov. 5 general election, Republicans are the majority party in the Senate for the first time in state history. The GOP has controlled the House since 2004.
The Legislature will hold an organizational meeting on Jan. 6, then will reconvene in February to take up legislation.
Henry to be installed as chair of oil group
11/17/08, 10:03 a.m.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry is in New Mexico this week, where he will be installed as the new chairman of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. Henry will succeed Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin during the group's meeting Monday and Tuesday in Santa Fe.
Past chairmen of the 38-state energy organization include former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.
The IOGC was established in 1935 by Oklahoma Gov. E.W. Marland and is the oldest and largest interstate compact organization in the country.
Survey shows compensation of Boren, Hargis, others
11/17/08, 9:54 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A new survey shows the presidents at Oklahoma's two largest universities both earn above the median for their peers across the country. The Chronicle of Higher Education's national survey shows University of Oklahoma President David Boren collects about $550,000 annually while Oklahoma State's Burns Hargis makes about $443,000.
The national survey shows the median salary for public university presidents is $427,000, a 7 percent increase over the previous fiscal year. Among Oklahoma private-school presidents listed in the survey, former Oral Roberts University President Richard Roberts had the highest compensation package in 2006-07, receiving $444,316. Roberts resigned last November amid allegations of lavish spending.
Study recommends closure of Tulsa Schools program
11/17/08, 9:45 a.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A new evaluation of alternative education programs in Tulsa Public Schools recommends the closure of the controversial Tulsa Academic Center. The school board hired an outside firm to conduct the evaluation during public fallout over violent and overcrowded conditions at TAC, an alternative school for students with discipline problems. The evaluation cost about $67,000.
Superintendent Keith Ballard says he plans to make a host of recommendations based on the evaluation at tonight's school board meeting at 7 p.m. Ballard praised the school board for seeking the evaluation by an objective third party. Among the firm's other issues are to develop a new alternative education program, elimate the Project Accept program at Bell and Anderson elementary schools and take measures to decrease dropout rates.
New Tulsa arena brings $428K into tax coffers
11/17/08, 9:33 a.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - In its first month of operation, the new BOK Center has provided $428,498 in sales tax revenue. An audit report obtained by the Tulsa World includes figures for five events held at the arena in September. Those were concerts by the Eagles, Kenny Chesney, American Idols and Rascal Flatts, along
with a motivational seminar, which drew a collective 67,475 people to the arena.
In Tulsa, a 8.517-cent sales tax is collected, of which 4.5 cents goes to the state, 1.017 cents goes to Tulsa County and 3 cents goes to the city. That means that from September's tax revenues, the BOK Center produced $266,399 for the state, $51,166 for the county and $150,933 for the city.
John Bolton, the arena's general manager, says he is pleasantly surprised by the September numbers. Bolton notes that initial projections were that the BOK Center would generate about $1.6 million annually in tax revenue.
Endowment edgy in meltdown
11/16/08, 4:07 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma's multimillion dollar economic development endowment fund is taking a hit as the nation's financial meltdown sends markets and investment income plummeting. But fund managers say the Economic Development Generating Excellence endowment remains an effective tool to stimulate innovation, diversify the state's economy and create jobs.
A priority of Gov. Brad Henry's, the EDGE endowment was initially funded by the Legislature in 2006 with $150 million. This month the fund made its first awards - a little more than $12 million to help develop new technology in the fields of aerospace, weather science and biotechnology. The awards represent revenue from fund investments over two years. But even before the awards, the fund's balance was declining. The EDGE portfolio was down nearly 8 percent during the first quarter of the fiscal year that began on July 1. As of Sept. 30, figures show the balance of the EDGE endowment fund was about $145 million.
Bode tapped to lead wind energy trade group
11/16/08, 2:15 p.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Former Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode will become chief executive officer of the American Wind Energy Association beginning next year. The association announced Friday that Bode will leave her current position as CEO of the American Clean Skies Foundation to take her new post on Jan. 2. She is replacing Randall Swisher, who is retiring after 19 years with the Washington, D.C.-based trade association for the wind industry.
A Republican, Bode served nearly 10 years on the Corporation Commission before stepping down to head up the American Clean Skies Foundation. Gov. Brad Henry appointed Democrat Jim Roth to fill out the remainder of Bode's term. Roth was defeated in the Nov. 4 general election by Republican Dana Murphy.
More funding for Tar Creek buyout effort
11/16/08, 3:35 p.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Another $6.2 million has been secured for efforts to purchase the homes and businesses of those living within the Tar Creek Superfund site in northeast Oklahoma. The grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency brings the amount provided for relocation efforts to about $45 million.
Another $10 million may be needed for completion, but Sen. Jim Inhofe today said in a story from the Tulsa World's Washington bureau that the finish line is now in sight.
Encompassing 40 square miles of Ottawa County, the former zinc and lead mining hub has been on the EPA Superfund list for two decades. Residents face potential mine collapses, acid mine water that stains Tar Creek orange and mountains of lead-contaminated mine waste called chat. Congressman Dan Boren and Governor Brad Henry joined Inhofe in the announcement. The voluntary federal buyout was announced in May 2006. An early state buyout pushed by Henry targeted families with young children.
