Around the State

Tulsa World, March 4,2007
"From humble beginings...: Oklahoma has come a long way in 100 years"
What was Oklahoma like in 1907, the year it became the 46th state in the union?
It certainly wasn't all cowboys and Indians and surreys with fringes on top.
One description of Oklahoma life 100 years ago comes from Oscar Ameringer, admittedly a rabble-rouser of the first order. In 1940, Ameringer published his autobiography, entitled "If You Don't Weaken."
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Daily Oklahoman, March 5, 2007
"Bill wants drivers to tow line"
Forget to carry that paper in your car proving you're an insured motorist? It could cost you your car, at least for a while, under a proposal pending in the Oklahoma Senate.
Drivers who can't prove they have liability insurance could end up watching police impound their car.
It would affect those who have no liability insurance and those who forget to keep proof of insurance in their car.
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Tulsa World, March 4, 2007
"Diploma Logic: A graduated success plan for Oklahoma"
In his State of the State address last month, Gov. Brad Henry exhorted the Legislature to support tough legislation to ensure that every Oklahoma teenager completes high school.
"Let us resolve," Henry said, "that within five years Oklahoma will boast the highest high school graduation rate in the entire country." Henry asked.
With a 69.8 percent graduation rate -- less than 2 points above the national average of 68 percent -- Oklahoma has some tall hills to climb to reach that mark. Any increase in graduates, however, would beat the alternative.
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Tulsa World, March 3, 2007
"Nanotechnology funding recipients selected"
The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology has announced the recipients of nearly $1.25 million through the organization's Oklahoma Nanotechnology Applications Project.
The project was created by the Legislature last year to provide funding for new nanotechnology applications and provide education about nanotechnology to state economists, researchers, manufacturers and businesses.
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Oklahoma House of Representatives, March 2, 2007
"New 'Jessica's Law' to protect children against sex offenders headed for House vote"
Legislation increasing required prison sentences for sex offenders is headed for a vote on the House floor. The measure is part of the House GOP’s Safe Families legislative platform.
House Bill 1816, authored by Rep. David Dank would increase the penalty for sex offenses against children under 12 to a minimum sentence of 25 years and not more than life imprisonment. No minimum sentence currently exists for such offenses.
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Oklahoma House of Representatives, March 2, 2007
"House legislation encouragin charter schools headed to House floor"
Legislation strengthening charter schools in Oklahoma is headed for a vote of the full state House of Representatives.
House Bill 1589, by Rep. Tad Jones, encourages the development of charter schools by allowing the Oklahoma Department of Education, cities and certain higher education entities to sponsor charter schools. The measure passed a vote of the House Education Committee Wednesday.
Under current state law, only individual school districts and CareerTech boards may sponsor charter schools.
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Oklahoma State Senate, March 1, 2007
"Senate approves 'Taxpayer Transparency Act'"
The full Senate has voted unanimously in favor of legislation that will help Oklahomans see exactly how their tax dollars are being used. Senate Bill 1, by Sen. Randy Brogdon, would create an online database to show where every single penny of the public’s money is being spent.
“It is important to remember that every dollar that gets appropriated comes from our citizens,” said Brogdon, R-Owasso. “The public should have the ability to track how each and every single dollar is spent, because the bottom line is that it’s their money.”
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