Archive for the Week of February 1, 2009 - February 7, 2009
Governor: Axing grocery sales tax unrealistic
2/6/09, 6:04 p.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry says passing a bill this year to do away with the state sales tax on groceries is"unrealistic" as the Legislature faces a shortfall estimated at $600 million. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Randy Brogdon, argues the measure is doable and that every person in Oklahoma would benefit from such a
tax cut. Some estimates project that eliminating the tax could cost the state up to $400 million.
While Henry says he's always supported eliminating the tax, he added that another revenue source would have to make up the loss. He also says such a tax would have to be done without harming smaller communities in the state that depend on the grocery sales tax as a major source of revenue.
Henry urges lawmakers to reconsider debate ban on autism bill
2/6/09, 9:15 a.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry wants lawmakers to reconsider banning debate on mandating insurance coverage for autism. Henry's comments today come two days after the House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee voted along party lines against House Bill 1312 by Tahlequah Rep. Mike Brown. The action effectively keeps the issue from being revisited for two years.
The fate of a similar measure in the Senate is uncertain. Henry says there are good people on both sides of the issue who have different opinions. But he says the way to resolve those differences isn't with a two-year moratorium on any discussion. Critics of the measure say it would drive up the costs for insurance coverage. In his State of the State address Monday, Henry urged lawmakers to approve insurance coverage for autistic children.
State TV stations preparing for digital switch
2/5/09, 2:40 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Television stations in Oklahoma City and Lawton - and possibly Tulsa - are still planning to switch to digital only signals on February 17. A bill approved by Congress and supported by President Barack Obama allows a four month delay in the conversion. Officials with KFOR, KWTV, KOCO, KOKH and OETA in Oklahoma City and KSWO in Lawton said the switch from analog to digital signals is ready and will occur as planned.
But in Tulsa the situation is described as more "complicated." Griffin Communications owns KOTV in Tulsa and KWTV in Oklahoma City. Griffin President David Griffin says he's filed a request with the FCC to switch - but says he could change his mind if all the stations don't agree. KJRH general manager Mike Vrabac says station officials have met to discuss a date to make the switch at the same time but haven't met since yesterday's vote in Congress.
Mandrell, Clark, McCoy join Country Hall of Fame
2/5/09, 9:58 a.m.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Longtime Tulsa resident Roy Clark will join Barbara Mandrell and Charlie McCoy as the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Clark is 75 and says being selected to the hall is mind-boggling. He's probably best known for co-hosting the long-running TV show "Hee Haw."
Mandrell began her professional career when she was 11 and has had hits including "Married But Not to Each Other," "Sleeping Single in a Double Bed" and "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool." McCoy is best known for his harmonica work and recorded with Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Ringo Starr, Leon Russell, Tanya Tucker and many more.
AG 'not optimistic' about pretrial settlement
2/5/09, 9:12 a.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Oklahoma's attorney general says he's hopeful but not optimistic about a pretrial settlement of a lawsuit suit accusing poultry companies of polluting eastern Oklahoma waters. Edmondson told The Associated Press yesterday that if the settlement occurs, it will be closer to around September, when the trial is supposed to begin.
The AG sued 13 Arkansas poultry companies in 2005, accusing them of dumping poultry waste into the scenic Illinois River watershed. He's alleged that excessive land application of poultry waste could endanger public health and argued for an injunction last year. But U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell denied the request, saying Oklahoma hadn't met its burden of proving that bacteria in the river are caused by the poultry litter rather than by other sources, including cattle manure and human septic systems.
That finding was a major argument in the poultry industry's case against an injunction. Tyson Foods attorney Robert George says the court has instructed parties not to comment publicly about settlement negotiations.
Stimulus to save, create Okla. jobs
2/5/09, 8:52 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - New details released by the White House show 43,300 jobs will be saved or created in Oklahoma over two years by a stimulus package that is the heart of President Obama's
economic recovery plan. Oklahoma officials said Wednesday they are waiting for specifics of the final version of the House-passed plan, which is expected to undergo significant changes in the Senate.
The White House release said it is projected that 90 percent of the jobs created in Oklahoma will be in the private sector, many in highway construction. The package will provide funding to improve schools, help more students go to college and double the state's renewable energy capacity. Most Oklahomans will qualify for a tax cut under the proposal.
Committee approves voter ID bill
2/5/09, 8:36 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Legislation that would require Oklahomans to provide proof of identify before voting has won approval in a state House committee. The measure by state Rep. Sue Tibbs of Tulsa would require voters to establish their identity with a document containing a photograph of the voter from a state, federal, county, municipal or tribal government.
The bill is opposed by the AARP, the ACLU and Common Cause. A spokesman for the groups, David Glover, said Wednesday that officials believe voter fraud is not a problem in Oklahoma and that more than 78,000 Oklahomans over 18 do not have a photo ID. The bill was approved by the House Rules Committee and is a priority of the House Republican leadership. House Speaker Chris Benge of Tulsa says their top priority is to ensure that only eligible voters cast ballots.
Committee postpones autopsy report bill
2/5/09, 8:29 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A state House committee has postponed consideration of a bill that would allow the chief medical examiner to withhold the public release of autopsy reports. The measure would allow the medical examiner to withhold them at the request of a district attorney or law enforcement agency if the
records may impede an ongoing criminal investigation.
The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Wednesday pulled the measure for at least one week. The bill was requested by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation following the release of autopsy reports on two girls who were gunned down near Weleetka last year. The case remains unsolved. OSBI spokeswoman Jessica Brown says the agency is working with the Medical Examiner's Office to resolve the issue. The bill is opposed by the Oklahoma Press Association.
Stem cell funding plan approved
2/5/09, 8:17 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State lawmakers have given preliminary approval to legislation that could provide nearly $2 million for adult stem cell research in Oklahoma. House Joint Resolution 1035 by Rep. John Enns would send a constitutional amendment to a vote of the people. It would allow 10 percent of the interest earnings on the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund to be used for adult stem cell research.
Last year, the Legislature approved another bill by Enns that authorized state funding and support for stem cell research conducted without the use of a human embryo. Enns says he believes adult stem cell therapies hold the cures for many diseases and spinal cord injuries. Enns was in an accident that confined him to a wheelchair, making him a potential recipient of future stem cell therapies.
Graduation coaches bill approved
2/5/09, 8:13 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry's plan to have volunteers mentor at-risk students in the state has passed its first legislative hurdle. Henry's graduation coaches program was approved Wednesday by the
House Common Education Committee. House Bill 1050 by Rep. John Carey of Durant would recruit
volunteers from the community to mentor at-risk students, keeping them academically on-track.It would also help them cope with difficulties outside of school that could become a barrier to a high school diploma.
Henry says the program has the potential to improve the lives of Oklahoma's at-risk youth. He says that by making sure every Oklahoma student gets a high school diploma, Oklahoma children and the state have a brighter future.
New code to supplement 918
2/4/09, 5:31 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The 918 telephone area code is running out of numbers. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has scheduled a news conference for Thursday to discuss adding a new area code to serve parts of the state now served by 918. The numbers for the new code are yet to be determined. Oklahoma now has three area codes and is going to need a fourth.
The 405 area code includes the Oklahoma City area, while 918 serves Tulsa and surrounding environs and 580 serves many rural parts of the state. The North America Number Plan Administrator, which works with the Federal Communication Commission, has told the commission that by 2011 there will no longer be enough available numbers in the 918 area.
Glitch slows insurance claim payments
2/4/09, 4:54 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Technical problems have slowed the payment of health and dental claims by a state insurance plan. But the administrator of the Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board, Bill Crain, said Wednesday payments have resumed and will speed up in the coming weeks. Crain says tens of thousands of electronic and paper claims have been received through the HealthChoice insurance plan since its former payment vendor, Health Harrington, completed its last payment cycle in December.
The board is moving to a new payment system. Crain says it was supposed to be ready on Jan. 1, but payments did not begin until Jan. 29. He says the system has a backlog of about 50,000 claims under normal circumstances. The current backlog is four or five times that amount.
Panel approves big school spending plan
2/4/09, 4:32 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A Senate committee has approved a bill to give state teachers pay raises of $3,000 a year for the next three years. The panel approved the costly measure Wednesday despite the fact that lawmakers are trying to find ways to make up a $600 million budget shortfall, and its chances for becoming law are slim.
Sen. Kenneth Corn, a Poteau Democrat, says it is important that lawmakers make a commitment in law to fund the salary increases, then find ways to pay for them. Corn's bill also would raise the pay of school support personnel and require that teachers get the same health care benefits as state government workers.
Sen. Jim Halligan, chairman of the Appropriation Subcommittee on Education, says it is important to keep the bill alive until lawmakers get a final estimate of revenues for next year.
Survey: Okla. gun laws among weakest in nation
2/4/09, 3:58 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A national group that aims to prevent gun violence ranks Oklahoma among the worst state in the nation for its weak gun laws. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence released its annual scorecard on Wednesday, ranking Oklahoma tied for last among the 50 states.
Oklahoma scored just two points out of a total of 100, along with Kentucky and Louisiana. The Washington-based group says Oklahoma's weak gun laws help feed the illegal gun market, allow the sale of guns without background checks and put children at risk.
Tulsa prepares for budget shortfall
2/4/09, 3:12 p.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor says the city faces a deficit of $2.7 million dollars in the general fund next fiscal year and will make cuts in on nonessential services. Taylor says the next year-and-a-half will be "bumpy" financially.
She didn't specify where the cuts will be made but says police, firefighting, streets, and water services likely will not be affected. Taylor says noncritical jobs that come open are not being filled and overtime is being closed watched. The city's current budge is $591 million dollars and Taylor says the budget she will present by May 1 will either be flat or less than that.
Delta to cut Lawton flights
2/4/09, 9:16 a.m.
LAWTON, Okla. (AP) - Delta Airlines is planning to stop service to Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport at the end of March, ending its daily flights to Atlanta. A Delta spokesman says the decision was based on weakening demand and previously announced plans to reduce domestic seats by up to 10 percent.
Delta began offering twice-a-day regional jet service between Lawton and Atlanta in March 2008. Over the next several months, Delta eventually scaled back service to meet demand, eliminating one of its flights on three days each week. American Eagle still operates daily flights from Lawton to Dallas-Fort Worth.
House committee defeats autism bill
2/4/09, 8:58 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A state House committee has killed legislation to require health insurers to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism. Instead, the Republican-controlled House Economic Development and Financial Service Committee Tuesday evening approved legislation to increase the number of therapists and providers for autistic children.
Along party lines, the committee voted 10-5 against a motion to pass the autism mandate measure. It then passed a motion that effectively prevents the House from taking the idea up again for two years. Supporters say a mandate would provide a revenue stream to pay for autism therapy. Opponents say there are not enough treatment providers to support a mandate and it would drive up health insurance rates. The autism therapist bill passed unanimously. Autism mandate legislation was passed by the Senate last year but was blocked in the House.
Myles Deering named adjutant general
2/3/09, 5:23 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry has picked Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Myles Deering to be Oklahoma's adjutant general, the state's top military officer. In his new post, Deering will serve as military adviser to the governor and commander of the Oklahoma Air and Army National Guard. Deering served as commander of Oklahoma's 45th Infantry Brigade from 2004 to 2080.
He led the 45th in recent deployments to Iraq and in 2005 served as task force commander of 15,000 National Guard, Reserve and active duty troops in New Orleans during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Henry said Deering, a 56-year-old Norman resident, has shown himself to be a leader capable of handling any challenges that come his way.
Earthquake recorded in southeastern Oklahoma
2/3/09, 5:12 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Geologists say three small earthquakes in less than a week in Oklahoma is no cause for concern. The U.S. Geological Survey reports a magnitude 3.2 earthquake at 5:23 this morning about 25 miles east of Ada. The epicenter is about two miles northwest of the junction of State Highway 3 and U.S. 75. This comes after a 2.4 magnitude quake about 7 miles northwest of Chandler in Lincoln County last Thursday and a 3.4 magnitude quake about 5 miles northeast of Chickasha last Wednesday.
Engineering geologist Kenneth Luza at the Oklahoma Geological Survey says the state has about 50 small earthquakes a year so the frequency isn't too unusual. He says the fact the earthquakes are being felt is a little more unusual. A magnitude 2.5 to 3 quake is generally the smallest that is felt by people but Luza says people have reported feeling earthquakes as small as a 1.4.
Bombing museum reopening set
2/3/09, 5:06 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The reopening of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is set after a broken water line caused some flooding. The memorial to the Oklahoma City bombing will reopen Thursday at 9 a.m. with members of the Oklahoma City Thunder on hand from 2:30 until 3:30 p.m. to meet visitors and sign autographs. The flood damaged 10,000 feet of display space at the museum but director Kari Watkins says no artifacts were lost.
Bill advances to eliminate grocery tax
2/3/09, 4:44 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A Senate committee has approved a bill to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries, despite one senator's argument that lawmakers are promoting a fairy tale. Several legislators have introduced similar measures, but the plan approved on a 13-to-1 vote in the Senate Finance Committee is sponsored by Sen. Mike Mazzei, a Tulsa Republican who is chairman of the panel.
It would be a $245 million tax cut when fully implemented in five years. Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, an Ardmore Democrat, says eliminating the grocery tax would help more people than other tax cuts passed in recent years. But Crutchfield says it cannot be done in a year when there is a $600 million state budget shortfall. He asked his fellow senators:"Why are putting a fairy tale out to the public?" The term-limited Crutchfield cast the only "no" vote.
Earthquake recorded in southeastern Oklahoma
2/3/09, 10:55 a.m.
CENTRAHOMA, Okla. (AP) - For the third time in less than a week a small earthquake has been recorded in Oklahoma. The U.S. Geological Survey reports a magnitude 3.2 earthquake occurred at 5:23 a.m. Tuesday in southeastern Oklahoma. A magnitude 2.5 to 3 quake is generally the smallest that is felt by people.
The epicenter was about two miles northwest of the junction of State Highway 3 and U.S. 75 or about 25 miles east of Ada. Last Thursday a 2.4 magnitude quake was recorded about 7 miles northwest of Chandler in Lincoln County. Last Wednesday a 3.4 magnitude quake was recorded about 5 miles northeast of Chickasha.
State budget cuts travel, agency budgets
2/2/09, 4:48 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry's executive budget for the upcoming year proposes to sharply curtail travel by most state employees and would cut many agency budgets up to 10 percent. But education, health care, transportation and public safety agencies would be exempt from most cuts.
State Treasurer Scott Meacham outlined Henry's budget proposals Monday shortly after the governor presented his State of the State address at the start of the 2009 Oklahoma Legislature. The governor warned that the state faces a $600 million budget hole due to declining energy prices and a national economy that is in recession.
His budget proposes about $102 million less in appropriations by lawmakers than last year's Legislature. It also proposes about $335 million in cash adjustments, revenue increases and efficiency savings.
Henry giving seventh State of State speech
2/2/09, 1:08 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry is urging lawmakers to avoid the urge to take money from the state's savings account and is endorsing a bill to require insurance companies cover children with autism.
In remarks prepared for the newly convened Legislature the governor said his proposed budget will make "precise, surgical cuts" in agency budgets. And he says the budget protects education, health care, transportation and public safety. Lawmakers have about $600 million fewer dollars to spend than they had last year.
On the savings account known as the Rainy Day Fund the governor said the economy could get worse and any urge to take money from the account should be resisted.
Nearly 6,400 remain without power
2/2/09 10:08 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Nearly 6,400 customers of rural electric cooperatives remain without power following last week's winter storm. The Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives reports 6,355 homes and businesses are without electric service as of Monday morning.
Ozarks Electric Cooperative has 6,105 without power while Lake Region Electric Cooperative has 250 outages. About 40,000 outages were reported at the height of the storm last Tuesday.
Survey: recession hitting Midwest, Plains states
2/2/09, 9:57 a.m.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Job losses continued last month in nine Midwest and Plains states, and a new survey of business leaders shows the national recession is hurting the region. The survey includes Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.
The Mid-America Business Conditions survey suggests the region's economy will remain weak. In January the overall index increased slightly to 33.5 from December's record low of 33.0, but remained in negative territory. The survey's index ranges between 0 and 100 with any score below 50 suggesting a contracting economy over the next three to six months. The employment index fell to a record low of 29 in January from December's already weak 34.5.
Henry giving seventh State of State speech
2/2/09, 9:37 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry is preparing for his seventh State of the State speech as a historic session of the state Legislature convenes today. Republicans are the majority party in both the state House and Senate for the first time in history.
The GOP holds a 26-22 majority in the Senate and a 61-40 advantage in the House. Gov. Henry meanwhile will present a budget to deal with $600 million fewer dollars than the state had to spend last year. Henry says he will target budget cuts in several areas of state government and he says he wants to protect the state's $600 million Rainy Day fund.
Watch live video of Governor Brad Henry's 2009 State of the State Address from the Oklahoma State Capitol, provided by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Video of Governor Henry's State of the State address will be archived and posted on the OETA website on Monday afternoon, following the speech.
Gambling help left on table
2/2/09, 8:46 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Only 245 problem gamblers sought treatment last year from one of the 12 certified gambling treatment providers contracted by the state. Officials say many other gambling addicts may not be aware of their treatment resources.
About one-third of the state money earmarked for helping problem gamblers is going unused, although treatment advocates insist it is not due to the lack of compulsive gamblers. They say the problem is a need for more public awareness.
There are 110 casinos in Oklahoma and the payouts for the state lottery have become more lucrative. Gambling addiction counselor Cindy Satterfield believes at least 3 percent of Pottawatomie County's population could have a gambling problem. Satterfield says there are only seven people in treatment now.
Coal plant focus of debate
2/2/09, 8:33 a.m.
POTEAU, Okla. (AP) - An air-quality official says a study is needed on the impact of a proposed new coal-fired power plant in eastern Oklahoma on air quality in Tulsa. AES Shady Point plans to build a second, 630-megawatt coal-fired plant that would nearly double its 320-megawatt facility in nearby Panama.
Although Panama is 116 miles away in southeastern Oklahoma, Tulsa is downwind from Panama's coal plant and others in Hugo and eastern Texas. Oklahoma Air Quality Council member Montelle Clark says it will have to be determined what impact the second plant would have on Tulsa's airshed and whether it would push it closer to non-attainment status under the Clean Air Act.
Company officials say the second plant is built will employ the latest available clean coal technology, which would result in lower emissions.
