Disaster Preparedness

With the recent flooding in Kingfisher and other parts of northwestern Oklahoma, we are reminded that Oklahoma remains a bullseye target for certain kinds of disasters. Oklahomans have remained steadfast in the face of these sometimes frightening occurences, but 100 Ideas wants to know what you think concerning Oklahoma's disaster preparedness. Are we where we should be? Let us know!

Oklahoma's Water Supply

Perhaps one of the greatest debates in Oklahoma that doesn't make headlines too often is the debate over water usage and rights. 100 Ideas has received ideas concerning water from all over the state ranging from building a water pipe to help relieve the often drought-stricken northwest to not selling our water rights to other states.

We want to know what you think. Submit your ideas on water usage today!

For more information on this topic, check out this article: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=070827_1_A1_spanc18824.

New College Students

Oklahoma's education system is now failing itself! Most high school seniors in this state can't satisfy all 4 educational benchmarks. A large percentage don't even have the ACT scores to qualify for our state's regional schools, much less the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. Read more about Oklahoma's college-bound students here: http://newsok.com/article/3107611.

We want to know what you think! Send us your ideas on how to improve education for our kids.

Merit Pay for Teachers

Once again merit pay for teachers is in the news again. There are plenty of supporters, and plenty of detractors. You can read more about it here: http://newsok.com/article/3106229.

Let us know where you stand on it! Send us your ideas on merit pay for teachers today.

Graduation Rates

In Oklahoma, barely over two-thirds of our students ever graduate from high school. With competition around the world getting tougher and tougher in this area, Oklahoma must do something to not just keep up with the rest of the nation, but to keep pace with the rest of the world. 100 Ideas wants to know what you think. Submit your ideas to improve Oklahoma's education system today!

For more information on this topic, click here: http://newsok.com/article/3104041.

Immunizations for Oklahoma's Kids

Only 76 percent of Oklahoma children, ages 19 months to 35 months, are up to date with immunizations, ranking Oklahoma 44th overall for immunizations among children, according to the United Health Foundation.

Read more about it here: http://newsok.com/article/3103263.

Oklahoma Byways Program

A recent Oklahoman article raised an interesting topic: Oklahoma's byways, including Route 66. The article read as follows:

"I have recently enjoyed reading the Route 66 stories in The Oklahoman. What a great way to tell Oklahoma's unique story. The Oklahoma Byways Program is working in partnership with communities to preserve the collective experiences of our treasured Route 66 road. Communities across Oklahoma are working diligently to determine how to capture the best of the past and apply it toward a better tomorrow. This is the challenge."

To read the rest of the article, click here: http://newsok.com/article/3103170.

Oklahoma's Workforce

Here's an excerpt from a recent newsok.com article on Oklahoma's workforce:

"ONLY a few weeks ago came results of a survey in which Oklahoma companies voiced concern about the state's ability to fill future industry needs with home grown talent and attract out-of-town companies. They noted the lack of communication and problem-solving skills in many applicants, and said it's difficult to find enough applicants with graduate or professional degrees."

To read the article in its entirety, click here: http://newsok.com/article/3102165.

Supporting Our National Guardsmen

Our Oklahoma National Guard continues to face challenges on many different fronts as we head forward. Whether it's pay, adequate care, supplies, or facilities, we must continue to support our Guardsmen. Unlike Active Duty and Reserve, the Oklahoma National Guard is the only component that is directly under the control of our state government.

We want to know what you think! Send us your ideas on how best to support and advance our National Guard units.

Ideas on Energy

Many ideas have been submitted as to what Oklahomans would like to see happen in Oklahoma in relation to energy. Many advocate the use of wind and solar. Some, like former Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode, have advocated the use of natural gas. You can read her comments at http://newsok.com/article/3099436.

We want to know what you think! Send us your ideas on energy today!

Oklahoma's Bridges

Bridge safety in Oklahoma has been a primary concern for years. But in the face of the recent tragedy in Minnesota, Oklahoma's bridges are now of paramount importance. What must we do to prevent such a disaster? We want to know your ideas to keep Oklahoma's bridges safe!

To read more on the topic, visit http://newsok.com/article/3099429.

Vehicle Inspection Stickers

Several ideas that have been recently submitted have called for us to bring back vehicle inspections and inspection stickers. They feel it will help cutdown on pollution and improve the quality of vehicles driving on our roads. Others opposed to it think it's just another sign of a big, intrusive government. 100 Ideas wants to know what you think.

Go to our website, 100ideasok.org, to submit your ideas and comment on others like these.

Tax Rates

In Oklahoma, the debate over taxes has become a lively one. There are some in our state that think we should imitate our neighbor's to the south and eliminate our State's income and property taxes. Others think we need to work on the way we distribute our tax dollars. What do you think?

A very interesting website shows the taxing situation of every state, including our own. To see how our state taxes, and how every other state does things, go here: http://www.bankrate.com/brm/itax/edit/state/profiles/state_tax_Okla.asp

100 Ideas Goes Mobile!

Oklahomans with ideas about the state’s future now have another method of submitting ideas to the 100 Ideas Initiative. Beginning today, cell phone users can text message their ideas to “100ideas” at 72648.

All texted ideas will be posted on the web site with other ideas that are submitted directly to the 100 Ideas web site and ideas that have been generated from community “IdeaRaisers.”

“We are trying to solicit as many ideas as possible from people across the state,” said 100 Ideas Executive Director Thad Balkman. “We believe many people will take advantage of this simple way of submitting an idea.”
Balkman said to date they have received nearly 2,000 ideas from citizens throughout the state. “Over the next two months we want to double that number,” said Balkman.

The 100 Ideas Initiative is a non-partisan project designed to solicit the best ideas for Oklahoma’s second century. IdeaRaisers are public meetings designed to encourage input and discussion about those ideas and suggestions. The program was launched in January by Oklahoma House Speaker Lance Cargill.

Balkman said the group plans hold more IdeaRaisers in coming months and accept ideas through October. After that, the group’s advisory board members will meet and begin sifting through the ideas to determine the top 100 that will be published in a book.
“We plan to have the Oklahoma’s 100 Ideas book completed before the next legislative session to serve as a blue print for the legislature and Oklahoma’s future,” Balkman said