Oklahoman Story About OMRF and Anthrax Vaccine

Daily Oklahoman, Jan. 31, 2007
"Experts take aim at anthrax"
Three Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientists took a novel approach 2½ years ago in trying to improve anthrax vaccines and treatment.
The approach is paying off halfway through a five-year, $13.8-million grant, with researchers reporting progress in identifying ways for future vaccines to work.

Around the Nation

Oklahoma House, Jan. 29, 2007
"Speaker Cargill & House GOP Announce Healthy Oklahoma Plat"
Speaking at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa on Monday, Speaker Lance Cargill and House Republican leaders launched the second platform in their 2007 Year of Ideas Agenda.
"Oklahoma’s pioneer spirit remains strong after the first 100 years of our history. Now we should harness that spirit to create a healthier society in our state," said Cargill (R-Harrah). "2007 should be the year of ideas. We have an opportunity this year, in our centennial year, to lay the groundwork for our state’s second century. And our healthcare system is a vital part of that future. Oklahoma is blessed with citizens who are hard working and who uphold traditional values. At the same time, we face challenges, and it’s time for solutions."
[...]

Oklahoma State Senate, Jan. 30, 2007
"Senate Leaders: Henry May Need Tax Increase to Pay for Spending Promises"
Republican leaders in the evenly divided State Senate said Gov. Brad Henry may need to increase taxes to pay for the new spending he is promising for the upcoming legislative session.
In December, Gov. Henry publicly cautioned state lawmakers about new spending in what could be a tight budget year. But in the past week, he has proposed about half-a-billion dollars in new spending – with even more new spending proposals likely to come in the days before the State of the State address scheduled for February 5.
[...]

Oklahoma State Senate, Jan. 25, 2007
"Gumm Files Legislation to Strengthen Teachers Retirement System"
With $140 million left on the table after the 2006 session of the Oklahoma Legislature, one lawmaker wants to use half of that money to shore up the Teachers’ Retirement System.
Senator Jay Paul Gumm, a Democrat from Durant, has introduced legislation to take $70 million of the so-called “spillover” dollars and put it into the beleaguered system. That money, left on the table after last year’s budget was written, would give the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System (OTRS) a much needed shot in the arm.
[...]

Oklahoma State Senate, Jan. 24, 2007
"Oklahoma Senate Republicans Unveil ‘Vision for a Better Oklahoma’"
Republicans in the evenly divided Oklahoma State Senate unveiled their 2007 legislative agenda – titled a “Vision for a Better Oklahoma” – at news conferences in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Lawton on Wednesday.
“Today we’re presenting our vision for making Oklahoma a superior state in which to live and raise a family, receive an excellent education, work at a quality job, succeed in business, and comfortably retire,” stated Senator Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, the Senate’s co-President Pro Tempore.
[...]

The Arizona Republic, Jan. 29, 2007
"Gordon proposes medical district; Downtown would serve as hub for biosciences"
Phoenix hopes to add another layer to its downtown-revitalization effort in the form of a mile-long biomedical district that would allow multiple hospitals, specialty clinics and research institutions to expand or locate in the city's core.
The idea, the brainchild of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, could have a significant and lasting impact on the regional and state economy.
[...]

USA Today, Jan. 30
"16 states see road deaths slashed"
Traffic deaths dropped substantially in 16 states last year, in many cases reflecting stepped-up enforcement and education campaigns, according to a USA TODAY analysis of statistics reported by the states.
Highway fatalities fell by at least 5% in those 16 states. In nine other states, deaths rose by at least that much. Texas and Georgia reported preliminary declines of more than 5%, but traffic safety agencies in those states expect the final totals to rise significantly.
[...]

Memphis Commercial Appeal, Jan. 27, 2007
"Elected offices could vanish"
A landmark state Supreme Court ruling has opened the door for a major debate over whether to convert a number of elected positions in Shelby County government into appointed jobs.
Voters of Shelby County could be asked to decide whether to abolish the elected offices of assessor, county clerk, register, sheriff and trustee, and transfer those duties to appointed positions as a result of the high court's decision.
[...]

Seattle Times, Jan. 30, 2007
"All-mail election requires officials to educate voters"
If Seattle voters show up at their normal polling places March 13 to cast a ballot on how to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct, they'll find no place to vote. There may not even be a sign noting there's an election that day.
The vote on replacing the viaduct will be the city's first all-mail election, leaving the King County elections division a little over a month to educate 133,000 Seattle poll voters on how to cast an absentee ballot.
[...]

Pacific Business News, Jan. 29, 2007
"Lingle innovation ideas become bills"
Gov. Linda Lingle will appear before two committees of the Hawaii Legislature to testify in support of innovation in work force development.
Lingle was to appear before the House Committee on Labor and Public Employment at State Capitol Room 309 at 9 a.m., in support of House Bill 1280, "relating to innovation in workforce development," and then before the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Taxation at State Capitol Room 224 at 1:15 p.m., in support of Senate Bill 1365 "relating to the innovation economy." The two bills were electronically filed Monday.
[...]

Sacramento Bee, Jan. 30, 2007
"Bullet train plan may never leave station"
The state's perpetually delayed high-speed rail project faces yet another funding setback. And this one could be fatal, dashing the dreams of bullet train enthusiasts, including many in California's Central Valley.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposes slashing funding for the High Speed Rail Authority from $14 million to $1.2 million, leaving the group with enough just to keep its doors open. The Legislature has yet to vote on the governor's spending plan.
[...]

Los Angeles Times, Jan. 30, 2007
"Schwarzenegger's healthcare reform proposal could conflict with Bush's aim to balance federal budget"
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants $3.7 billion a year in new federal funding to cover a big chunk of his healthcare plan for Californians, putting him on a collision course with budget hawks in the nation's capital and leaders in other states seeking assistance.
The sheer size of the federal allocation Schwarzenegger's plan would require is raising eyebrows.
[...]

New Jersey Star-Ledger, Jan. 30, 20007
"Bill offering $2B in tax credits clears Assembly; Homeowner-relief measure heads to Senate as 3 others go to Corzine"
The Assembly last night approved a $2 billion program of property tax credits that would mean a 20 percent reduction in many homeowners' tax bills and put new limits on increases in local government spending.
While sending that bill to the Senate for action next week, the Assembly gave final approval to three other measures designed to reduce the government spending that drives up property taxes. Those three bills now go to Gov. Jon Corzine.
[...]

Minn. considering tech upgrades

KARE 11 (Minneapolis), Jan. 29, 2007
"Pawlenty seeks $213 million for state computer upgrades"
Governor Tim Pawlenty is asking lawmakers for $213 million to make technology improvements in state agencies and elsewhere in 2008 and 2009.
Of that amount, the biggest piece - $60 million - would go for computer upgrades in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

Around the Nation

Tulsa World, Jan. 26, 2007
"OSU hospital projects approved"
Plans are to spend $10.6 million to renovate and expand the Tulsa medical center.
The Oklahoma State University Medical Authority gave approval Thursday to $10.6 million worth of expansion and renovation projects for the newly named OSU Medical Center in Tulsa.
It is the first of several phases to improve the teaching hospital and create a "world-class residency program," said David Johnson, chairman of the authority's board.
[...]

Sacramento Bee, Jan. 26, 2007
"Bush's call for ethanol may drive up price of corn"
President Bush's State of the Union call for a sevenfold increase in ethanol production within a decade could have the unintended consequence of sparking corn shortages and driving up the prices of a wide array of food products.
Bush said Tuesday that he wanted 35 billion gallons of ethanol in the nation's fuel supply by 2017, and he proposed an ethanol subsidy of as much as $17.8 billion over a decade, as well as grants and loan guarantees.
[...]

Denver Post, Jan. 25, 2007
"Colo. immigration law falls short of goal"
Colorado's new law banning state spending on illegal immigrants has cost more than $2 million to enforce - and has saved the state nothing.
Less than a year after politically charged debates on illegal immigration, officials are reporting high costs, no savings and unexpected problems with the new laws.
[...]

New York Times, Jan. 25, 2007
"Big States’ Push for Earlier Vote Scrambles Race"
As many as four big states — California, Florida, Illinois and New Jersey — are likely to move up their 2008 presidential primaries to early next February, further upending an already unsettled nominating process and forcing candidates of both parties to rethink their campaign strategies, party officials said Wednesday.
[...]
(Note: Oklahoma's Primary is Feb. 5)

Government Computer News, Jan. 22, 2007
"Treasury, Illinois pilot federal-state tax payment system"
The Treasury Department and Illinois Revenue Department are testing the ability of state business taxpayers to be able to pay their state withholding taxes at the same time as their federal taxes through a single system.
While Treasury’s Electronic Federal Tax Payment System has been available for federal tax payments for more than 10 years, the pilot with Illinois is the first time that business taxpayers may pay their state withholding taxes through EFTPS.
[...]

Dallas Morning News, Jan. 23, 2007
"Council OKs revised ordinance"
Apartment owners would still be banned from renting to most illegal immigrants under a new ordinance adopted unanimously Monday night.
Although the measure largely mirrors an ordinance passed in November, it makes changes that some observers say were designed to overcome legal challenges, including that the city had violated the Texas Open Meetings Act.
[...]

New orleans Times-Picayune, Jan. 24, 2007
"300 students turned away by N.O. schools"
In an exceedingly rare move for a public school system, hundreds of children seeking spots in the city's schools have been turned away -- "wait-listed" -- and told that the campuses have no room, school officials said Tuesday.
In the state-run Recovery School District, where 300 students have been placed on a waiting list since Jan. 8, officials are scrambling to open additional buildings and hire more teachers.

Sacremento Bee, Jan. 23, 2007
"Huge pension fund will offer investment products to government workers"
The nation's largest public pension fund is getting into the financial services business.
Looking to boost fee income and build off its global reputation, the influential California Public Employees' Retirement System unveiled Monday an ambitious three-year plan to offer its own lineup of investment products for local government workers with the potential of rolling out a nationwide program for consumers.
[...]

Arizona Republic, Jan. 24, 2007
"Ariz. to share water duties with Nevada"
Nevada and Arizona have agreed to share the pain of a serious drought on the Colorado River with a deal involving a mix of water and cash.
Under terms of the deal, already reviewed by water boards in both states, Nevada would join Arizona in giving up water if drought triggered a shortage on the river. Nevada would also pay Arizona $8 million to help secure other water sources.
[...]

"State seeks oversight of leefy crops"
As demands increase for stronger oversight of the food supply, California took its first steps Wednesday to regulate the state's huge lettuce and spinach crops.
A plan by the California Department of Food and Agriculture calls for processors of the leafy greens to sign a "marketing agreement," meet a set of still-unspecified health regulations, undergo compliance inspections and contribute as much as 5 cents a package to fund the program.
[...]

Interesting articles about the biotech industry

The Winnipeg Free Press, Jan. 25, 2007
"Biotech sector needs depth"
This week, Kane Biotech Inc. of Winnipeg received a U.S. patent that will protect technology Kane is developing to reduce biofilm formation in a variety of applications, including medical devices.
Kane is a tiny company that is a long way away from having a product for sale on the market. But in the meantime, it raised $1.5 million in new investment in May to continue its work. Its shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange and closed Wednesday at 35 cents.
[...]

Pharmaceutical Technology Europe, Jan. 1, 2007
"A New Year for biotech "
The year ahead will see plenty of action on the biotech scene — from technical advances through to regulatory developments. Smarter, leaner and faster manufacturing is top of the agenda. And on the business side, big pharmas will continue to build biologics into their portfolios by generating a flow of deals.
[...]

Worcester (Mass.) Telegram and Gazette News, Jan. 25, 2007
"Legislative caucus to push biotech; Lawmakers agree to statewide effort"
Legislative leaders yesterday formed a special caucus to advance legislation critical to the biotechnology industry, and Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray urged them to help promote biotechnology research and development not just in the Boston and Cambridge area, but in cities and towns across the state.
Mr. Murray met with about two dozen lawmakers as the formation of what was described as the first biotechnology legislative caucus in the country was announced with the goal of allowing the state to maintain a global lead in the fast-growing field.
[...]

Speaker Cargill & House GOP Announce Entrepreneurial Society Agenda

Less than a month into Oklahoma’s centennial year, House Speaker Lance Cargill and House Republicans took the first step in laying out a new vision for the state’s second century Tuesday.

Speaking at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) -- a premiere 60-year-old research facility that is a focal point for a growing bioscience industry in the state -- Cargill introduced the first part of the House Republican caucus 2007 legislative agenda.

The Entrepreneurial Society platform will focus on removing barriers to economic growth and opportunity in Oklahoma. Cargill and House leaders will unveil more of the agenda over the next two weeks.

(Click Here For More)

Interesting story in today's Oklahoman

Looking at biotech; State impresses Israeli observers
By Jim Stafford
Business Writer
Daily Oklahoman
The Oklahoma that a group of Israeli scientists and businessmen did not know was introduced to them Monday at the Presbyterian Health Foundation Research Park.
The two-hour orientation session was quite a revelation, said Alex Harel, managing director for Brilliant Biomedical Magnetic Solutions Ltd., an Israeli company working to commercialize magnetic technology for the medical industry.

"I think the biotech industry in Israel is not aware enough of the opportunities in Oklahoma,” Harel said. "I definitely didn't know that Oklahoma was so advanced in biotech.”

Harel is one of five Israelis visiting Oklahoma this week as part of an Israel/Oklahoma Bioscience event sponsored by the state Commerce Department. The Israeli group participated in an orientation Monday morning at the Research Park Conference Center in which they heard from the state's biotech industry and economic development leaders.

"I think what we heard today how the state government is supporting early stage companies is very impressive,” Harel said. "I think that is the way to go.”
[...]

Around the Nation

Oklahoma State House, Jan. 22, 2007
"Dank Urges Lower Ad Valorem Caps, Freeze for Elderly"
State Representative David Dank (R-Oklahoma City) has introduced legislation to cap annual increases in household property taxes and freeze ad valorem taxes for the elderly.
"If we don’t act soon, the people of Oklahoma are going to organize a property tax revolt like California did some years ago and dramatically constrain government’s right to tax," Dank said. "I cannot blame them."
[...]

CNN, Jan. 22, 2007
"Carrots in, fries out in school cafeterias"
The cafeteria lunch line at Columbus Elementary School moves quickly as students grab portions of carrots, celery, apples and oranges. French fries and hamburgers, once cafeteria staples, aren't even offered.
"I eat carrots or apples every day," said 10-year-old Alan Espino. He said he didn't notice that the bun holding his all-beef hot dog was whole wheat. Even the pizza available in the cafeteria has whole wheat crust.
[...]

Associated Press, Jan. 21, 2007
Programs Let Homes Produce Green Power
When the sun shines bright on their home in New York's Hudson Valley, John and Anna Bagnall live out a homeowner's fantasy. Their electricity meter runs backward.
Solar panels on their barn roof can often provide enough for all their electricity needs. Sometimes _ and this is the best part _ their solar setup actually pushes power back into the system. The Bagnalls "net meter," a state-sanctioned setup that allows homeowners to adopt renewable energy without taking the more radical step of disconnecting from their local electric utility, Central Hudson Gas & Electric.
[...]

Los Angelese Times, Jan. 20, 2007
"City launches whistle-blower

hotline"
Hoping to encourage more whistle-blowing by city employees and residents, Los Angeles City Controller Laura Chick has launched a 24-hour, confidential fraud hotline.
Chick promised that her Waste and Fraud Unit would investigate all "legitimate and valid" complaints of unethical or illegal activity reported over the hotline's toll-free telephone number: (866) 428-1514.
[...]

Boston Globe, Jan. 20, 2007
"Sticker shock for state care plan; Average premium of $380 outlined"
A state panel yesterday outlined for the first time the minimum requirements for coverage under the state's new health insurance law, a package estimated to cost $380 a month on average for an individual, more than $100 above recent estimates. Panel members struggled yesterday to balance affordability with protection from catastrophic medical bills and remained divided on many issues.
[...]

Boston Globe, Jan. 19, 2007
"Lottery revenue drop worries officials; $71m decline in first 5 months"
The Massachusetts State Lottery, after years of increasing sales of scratch tickets and other games, is experiencing a substantial decline in revenue , setting off deep concern on Beacon Hill.
[...]

St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times, Jan. 22, 2007
"Session strikes a deal"
Florida lawmakers emerged from weekend negotiations with an insurance reform plan that promises double-digit rate relief by shifting hurricane risk to the state.
[...]

The Vindicator (Youngstown Ohio), Jan. 23, 2007
"Proposed law addresses blight"
Councilman Robert L. Dean Jr., D-at large, is sponsoring an ordinance that would change Warren's housing code to make owners more responsible for vacant dwellings.
The ordinance would help the city be more "proactive in the prevention and eradication of blight and nuisance," according to the legislation.
[...]

Billings (Montana) Gazette, Jan. 23, 2007
"House backs Web exposure for all sex offenders"
All convicted sex offenders in Wyoming, not only those judged to be the most dangerous, would be featured on a public Web site under legislation that received preliminary approval Monday in the House.
Under current state law, only those convicted offenders that a judge determines pose a high risk of re-offending are included on a public Web site maintained by the state's Division of Criminal Investigation.
[...]

The Daily Free Press (Boston University), Jan. 23, 2007
"Proposed legislation targets textbooks' publishing policies"
While many college students returned from their campus bookstore carrying boxes of required textbooks and considerably lighter wallets, State Rep. Steven Walsh (D-Lynn) introduced a bill to the Massachusetts Legislature aimed at saving students money on these biannual trips.
The proposed bill would prohibit publishers from creating new editions of textbooks every year if they cannot prove significant changes have been made to the material - a practice that effectively prevents students from being able to sell books back to the bookstore for cash because their editions quickly become outdated. The bill would also prevent publishers from selling "bundles," books packaged with supplementary material like CDs, DVDs and practice books for a considerably higher price.
[...]

Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 22, 2007
"In N.J., doubts over leasing highways for cash"
With New Jersey mired in debt and financial crises, a potential pot of gold has been tempting the state's leaders - the selling of public assets, particularly the highways.
In his State of the State address this month, Gov. Corzine described the idea as having "the greatest potential" to solve New Jersey's money problems.
[...]

Be sure to check back Friday for more news.

"A Time for Ideas"

By Keith Gaddie
from Tailgate Politics
Thursday, Jan. 19, 2007

The fashion in American political punditry is to be cynical. The cynic, after all, is rarely disappointed by failure, but instead revels in a snide grin, confident in their knowledge that father figures have feet of clay and the promises of politicians are fleeting at best, driven by the need to garner votes from a public that wants to be fooled.

I'm going to fight cynicism and will argue for the conversation emerging in Central Oklahoma over Ideas. The conversation for ideas comes from many directions – a young house speaker who is seeking public input on possible new policies, from an ambitious mayor who is building on the ideas and successes of his predecessors and asks how we can direct tax dollars to build more private opportunity and a more capable community. It will doubtlessly surprise old-line conservatives that these ostensibly conservative Republicans are talking about new ways to use government, but, at base, that is what the legislature and the media are for – to talk about how to do things better. Instead of staring at its boots, saying "aw shucks" or waiting for the next oil boom, Oklahomans are looking forward and saying "what next?"
[...]
Click here for the rest

Around the Nation

In Oklahoma and around the nation, discussion continues about how to govern, make citizens' lives better and how legislation will work. Here's a sample of what's happening.

Oklahoma State House, Jan. 11, 2007
"OK Rep. Wants to Televise State Government"
Oklahomans may soon have the opportunity to observe state government in a new way. State Representative Jason Murphey (R-Guthrie) today announced sponsorship of House Bill 1039, which requires the creation of C-SPAN style televised content of legislative floor and committee meetings, state executive board meetings and supreme court proceedings.
[...]

Tulsa World, Jan. 16, 2007
"BA Needs Police Academy, Chief Says"
The typical rookie police officer in Oklahoma is required to have dramatically less training than the average state-licensed beginning cosmetologist.
For that reason and more, Broken Arrow Police Chief Todd Wuestewald is on a quest to get his department its own training academy.
[...]

Detroit Free Press (Jan. 14, 2007)
"School Elections Shift to Fall"
The state's poor economy is prompting a growing number of metro Detroit school districts to do what critics have demanded for years: abandon holding school board elections in the spring.
Boards of education in the Avondale, Berkley, Birmingham, Rochester, Royal Oak and Waterford districts in Oakland County and the Lake Shore district in Macomb County have voted to move their races to November. Others, including Bloomfield Hills Schools, are considering it.
[...]

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Jan. 13, 2007)
"New Speaker Begins State House Cleaning"
HARRISBURG -- Newly elected state House Speaker Dennis O'Brien is making good on his promise to change the way the House operates.
In what he called his first official action as speaker, Mr. O'Brien yesterday selected chairmen of a bipartisan committee that will recommend ways to make the House more open and accessible to the public.
[...]

The Salt Lake Tribune (Jan. 14, 2007)
"Poll Shows Utahns, Legislature Priorities Don't Match Up"
Utahns want lawmakers to spend a projected $1.6 billion surplus first on public education. A tax cut is lower on their list of priorities. Much lower.
But legislators are poised to give Utahns a tax cut ranging from $100 million to $300 million anyway - whether they want it or not.
[...]

Boston Globe (Jan. 15, 2007)
"Job Program for Welfare Recipients Falls Flat"
A central piece of the state's sweeping welfare reform, which sought to enlist Massachusetts companies to hire and train welfare recipients, has failed to attract employers and is virtually defunct, records show.
[...]

Sacramento Bee (Jan. 16, 2007)
"Prison Plan Vexes Counties"
County officials in California are expressing concern to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation over a proposal by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to raise the minimum state prison term from one to three years.
[...]

Around the Nation

Across the nation, legislatures and city councils are discussing varying legislation. Here's a sample of what's happening:

Chicago Tribune (Jan. 7, 2007)
"Ill. House votes for utility rate-freeze"
In a Democratic showdown over political egos and public policy, the Illinois House approved a three-year rate freeze for customers of Commonwealth Edison and other large electricity providers Sunday night with no guarantee the state Senate would even consider it.
The House vote firmly placed two powerful Chicago Democrats—Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones—at odds over what relief customers are entitled to from rate increases averaging 22 percent for ComEd customers. The higher rates took effect with the new year, following the end of a near 10-year rate freeze.
[...]

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Jan. 9, 2007)
"Transit authority shelves regional sales tax plan
Group to explore other ways to finance rail line"
Kenosha - The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Transit Authority took a step back from a regional sales tax Tuesday, leaving questions about how a proposed commuter train line could be financed.
But the three-county authority did ask the Legislature to put it in charge of running the KRM Commuter Link, a train line that would connect Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and the southern suburbs. The trains would connect with Chicago's Metra commuter trains and would provide more local service than Amtrak's faster Hiawatha line.
The KRM line would cost $200 million to build and $11 million a year to operate, down from previous estimates of $237 million and $14.7 million, according to newly revised projections from the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. Supporters say state and federal aid and fares would cover most expenses, leaving the authority to raise about $5 million a year to cover the remaining operating costs and debt service on bonds issued for capital costs.
[...]

Billings (MT) Gazette (Jan. 9, 2007)
"Legislature opens tax debate with look at governor's plan"
Gov. Brian Schweitzer's proposed $400 per-homeowner tax rebate got a smooth introduction to the Legislature Tuesday as Democrats looked to get a head start on a competing Republican plan.
Tax relief is sure to be one of the hottest issues in the coming months at the Legislature as both sides have campaigned for months on different plans. Both are made possible by a projected state surplus of nearly $1 billion.
Schweitzer is touting the populist ideals of his proposal: Large corporations and vacation home owners notably get nothing in the $100 million property tax relief package.
Republicans are countering with a reduction in tax rates they say goes to everyone and would be permanent unless a future legislative session took away the reductions.
[...]

Los Angeles Times (Jan. 9, 2007)
"Gov. offers bold prescription"
Calling for massive changes throughout a healthcare system he called "broken," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday proposed a $12-billion plan that would require all Californians to obtain medical insurance while helping the poorest to afford it.
The plan, which both critics and supporters called the most audacious in the country, would dramatically reshuffle the financial underpinnings of an already fragile industry. The governor said his plan would control spiraling health costs while ensuring coverage for the quarter of a million children and 5.6 million adults who lack insurance.
"Everyone in California must have health insurance," Schwarzenegger said via teleconference from Los Angeles, where he is recuperating from a broken leg. "If you can't afford it, the state will help you buy it, but you must be insured."
Only Massachusetts has required all residents to carry insurance, but California's larger population of uninsured and poor makes Schwarzenegger's goals much more challenging. To pay for the plan, Schwarzenegger proposed placing new fees and obligations on doctors, hospitals, employers and insurers — all powerful lobbies in Sacramento.
[...]

KATU Portland (Jan. 8, 2007)
"Ore. Legislature to get gavel-to-gavel TV coverage"
The Oregon Legislature begins its work Monday and Oregon Public Broadcasting will provide digital TV viewers with gavel-to-gavel coverage of legislative floor sessions, committee hearings and other Capitol events.
The pilot project conducted by OPB, the Oregon Legislature and Southern Oregon Public Television will test the concept of an all-day, every-day "Oregon Channel" to broaden access to state government, according to a press release from OPB.
The project concludes at the end of the legislative session, and will be evaluated to determine the feasibility of a permanent Oregon Channel.
[...]

KXNET Bismarck
"Legislature to Address Tanning Bed Bill"
The North Dakota Legislature is looking to regulate tanning beds.
A proposed law would bar anyone under 16 from using a tanning bed in a salon.
And all tanning beds would have to be registered with North Dakota's Health Department, even if they're in private homes.
Bismarck Representative George Keiser is sponsoring the bill and says he's doing it at the request of skin doctors.
Dermatologists worry that use of tanning beds can increase a person's risk of getting skin cancer.
The North Dakota House Human Services Committee is holding a hearing on Wednesday.

Welcome to the 100 Ideas blog!

Join the discussion! Send the 100ideasok.org link to your friends and associates. Continue to return to this site as we brainstorm for ideas about Oklahoma's second century. Read the 100 Ideas blog for the latest from Speaker Cargill and other leaders and participants. Expect future posts from noted contributors.