Midweek Oklahoma Round-Up

Tulsa World, March 15, 2007
"House OKs bill to require ATV helmet use"
Children younger than 18 would be required to wear helmets when driving or riding all-terrain vehicles on public property, according to a bill easily passed Wednesday by the House
House Bill 1686 was approved 82-16, although a lawmaker whose district includes Little Sahara State Park near Waynoka spoke against the measure.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health, which has been pushing for such legislation for several years, reports that in the last four years, more than 140 ATV injuries occurred in the Little Sahara-Waynoka area. Other cities in the state recorded fewer than 20 such accidents apiece.
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Oklahoma House of Representatives, March 15, 2007
"Teachers retirement fund could get millions"
The Oklahoma House of Representatives has voted to shore up the state teachers’ retirement system by pumping millions of dollars in surplus oil-and-gas tax revenue into the system.
House Joint Resolution 1039 by State Rep. Tad Jones and State Rep. Joe Dorman calls for a vote of the people to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to redirect excess mineral income currently going to Oklahoma’s Commissioner of the Land Office.
Under the proposal, the teachers’ retirement system could begin receiving money upon passage by a vote of the people and cash would continue to flow into the retirement system until it is 80 percent funded. When the fund reaches 80 percent, monies would flow back to the permanent trust of the School Land Commission.
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Oklahoma House of Representatives, March 13, 2007
"Voter fraud protections advance"
Legislation to reduce voter fraud has passed out of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and now awaits Senate action.
House Bill 1734, by state Rep. Sue Tibbs, would require Oklahomans to present a government photo ID before they are allowed to vote in an election.
"Voting is one of the most precious rights we hold as Americans, and we cannot allow that right to be undermined by fraud," said Tibbs, R-Tulsa. "I think Oklahomans are more than willing to spend a few minutes proving that they are who they say they are to protect the legitimacy of our electoral process."
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Oklahoma State Senate, March 14, 2007
"Senate passes bill to clarify state graduation rates, establish goal of 100 percent"
The full Senate has approved a measure to set a graduation goal of 100 percent for Oklahoma high school students. Senate Bill 985, by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, would also establish guidelines to give a more accurate picture of graduation rates that will enable an “apples to apples” comparison with other states.
“Right now, the stated goal for Oklahoma is a graduation rate of 68 percent—that’s the goal filed as required under ‘No Child Left Behind’ and it will remain in effect through 2014,” said Wilcoxson, R-Oklahoma City. “Senate Bill 985 sets the goal at 100 percent by that year. We expect all high school students to graduate.”
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Oklahoma House of Representatives, March 14, 2007
"Legislation encouraging simplified health care pricing system headed to Senate"
Legislation approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives Wednesday with unanimous support could prompt medical providers to offer more upfront pricing to consumers on routine medical procedures.
House Bill 1884, by House Speaker Lance Cargill, creates the Healthcare Consumer Transparency Task Force. The panel will study and make recommendations regarding a system for hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers and physicians to disclose to consumers the average charges for the treatment of common medical diagnosis and procedures.
The measure was a part of a slate of bills passed on Wednesday that are part of the Healthy Oklahoma legislative platform.
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State college offering free tuition to Tulsa County high school graduates

Tulsa World, March 14, 2007
"Free Tuition: TCC scholarship aims to duplicate success of GI Bill"
Tulsa Community College on Wednesday plans to unveil the Tulsa Achieves scholarship, which will pay up to 100 percent of tuition and mandatory fees for Tulsa County high school graduates, beginning with the class of 2007.
"This is a big program, but we feel we need something transformational, and we believe this could be very important for our area, for Tulsa County," TCC President Tom McKeon said.
Lauren Brookey, TCC vice president for external affairs, compared Tulsa Achieves to the GI Bill, which changed people's lives and changed society.
McKeon said parents always want to provide better lives for their children, but college is less affordable than it used to be.
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Around the Nation

The Naperville (Illinois) Sun, March 13, 2007
"Bill would alert libraries of sex offenders"
Law enforcement may soon be required to notify local libraries of registered sex offenders, according to legislation that was approved unanimously last week by the Illinois Senate Criminal Judiciary Committee.
Sponsored by state Sen. Randy Hultgren, R-Wheaton, the legislation would require law enforcement to notify local libraries of identifying information of sex offenders, including name, address, date of birth, place of employment, school attended and offense.
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The Louisville Courier-Journal, March 13, 2007
"Bayh hopes to ease college costs for the middle class"
Middle-class families would get expanded tax breaks to help them offset the rising costs of higher education under federal legislation Sen. Evan Bayh is supporting.
"If you want a good-paying job you've got to get a good education and that increasingly means getting a college education or a post-college education, yet too many middle-class families struggle to achieve that," Bayh, D-Ind., said at a news conference yesterday.
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myABC5.com (Iowa), March 13, 2007
"Legislation uses tax breaks to keep young Iowans in state"
A group of Iowa lawmakers hope a combination of tax breaks for businesses and reduced debts for new college graduates can help keep young professionals in Iowa.
The Iowa Advantage Fund would give tax incentives to businesses that agreed to pay off the college debt of new employees who graduated from Iowa colleges and universities.
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The Iowa Globe-Gazette, March 13, 2007
"Legislature considers additional changes to openness laws"
According to the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, changes made by the Legislature in 2006 to the state’s open records law included these measures:
* An exception allowing law enforcement agencies to withhold portions of electronic mail and telephone billing records “if that information is part of an ongoing investigation.”
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THe Clarion Ledger (Mississippi), March 10, 2007
"Law extends professional certification for military"
A bill signed into law by Gov. Haley Barbour will prevent the professional licenses held by members of the National Guard and Reserves from expiring while the soldiers are deployed on active duty.
The licenses will be extended for three months after the soldiers return from the deployment, under the bill Barbour signed Thursday. The law takes effect July 1.
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Stateline.org, March 13, 2007
"States tackle texting behind the wheel"
Legislators in three states are targeting text messaging to keep drivers’ thumbs on the wheel and off the tiny keypads of their cell phones or wireless devices in the latest crackdown on distracted driving.
Text-messaging bills in Arizona, Connecticut and Washington state are the newest attempts by state legislatures to block the increasing distractions of electronic technology in vehicles, from the ubiquitous cell phone to DVD players, BlackBerries and GPS systems.
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The Oregonian, March 13, 2007
"For Oregon students, keyboards are out, pencils in for tests"
Sharpen those pencils, students -- no more state tests on computers this school year.
State education officials canceled computer testing Monday and announced schools will have to administer paper-and-pencil, fill-in-the-bubble tests in reading and math. About 280,000 public schools students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 take the annual tests to show their proficiency in meeting statewide academic standards.
The Oregon Department of Education abandoned the online assessment system because it has given fits to students and their teachers in the past two weeks.
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Around the State

Tulsa World, March 10, 2007
"GOP blames scholarship woes on lagging lottery"
Oklahoma's Republican Party on Friday blamed lacking lottery revenues for the shortfall in funding for a college scholarship program.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education this week notified universities that OHLAP payments for the spring semester were being suspended.
The regents have asked lawmakers to provide $5.5 million in supplemental funding to pay for the spring scholarships.
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Tulsa World, March 9, 2007
"House OKs bill to limit AG's power to sue over waste"
Country boys and city slickers wrangled on the House floor over a bill about animal waste Thursday, and the rural lawmakers won
A bill to limit the power of the attorney general and secretary of the environment to sue animal producers was approved 59-39. However, before the bill becomes law, it will be scrutinized again in the Senate.
"There's the cha-ching factor," said Rep. Don Armes, R-Faxon. "There is no reason to sue, unless it is for money."
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Oklahoma House of Representatives, March 9, 2007
"House approves funding for free hunting/fishing licenses"
For years, lawmakers have voted to allow numerous groups and individuals to have free hunting or fishing licenses, which slowly slashed funding for the fee-based state Department of Wildlife Conservation.
State lawmakers voted this week to make up those losses.
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Oklahoma House of Representatives, March 8, 2007
"Bill eliminating income tax for Oklahoma soldiers clears House"
Oklahoma military servicemen and women would be exempt from state income tax under a bill passed out of the House today.
House Bill 1446, by state Rep. Fred Jordan, would exempt all military pay of Oklahomans from state income tax. The bill applies to active duty personnel who are Oklahoma residents, as well as Reserve and National Guard members.
The bill would benefit nearly 20,000 Oklahomans serving in uniform around the world.
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Oklahoma State Senate, March 8, 2007
"Senate approves economic development bill for military communities/tire manufacturers"
State Sen. Randy Bass has won approval from the full Senate on a bill to help growing military communities meet infrastructure needs. Senate Bill 751 would also extend the deadline originally approved in a 2002 bill designed to help two of the state’s largest tire manufacturing facilities, Goodyear and Michelin. Bass, D-Lawton, said both provisions were important to Oklahoma’s economy.
“Oklahoma’s military instillations have a $6 billion impact on our economy. We are going to see significant growth in our military communities as a result of the last round of federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) hearings—but with that growth comes increased infrastructure needs, including new schools and other facilities. Senate Bill 751 will help meet those needs,” Bass said. “Not only that, but it will help us be prepared for the next round of BRAC hearings which are only three years away. Losing even one of these installations would be devastating. By preparing now, we can prevent that.”
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Oklahoma House of Representatives, March 8, 2007
"Property rights measure clears House floor"
A measure to protect Oklahoma property rights from changes in state law cleared the House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate for a hearing.
House Bill 1772, by state Rep. Mike Thompson, is called the “Property Rights Protection Act” and would give landowners the ability to amend an existing lease to either accept or prohibit certain activities that the Legislature or a constitutional provision could permit in the future.
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Oklahoma House of Representatives, March 8, 2007
"Coalition backs 2007 Forever Land Trust Act"
Oklahoma could soon see more high-quality recreational areas, greenways and parks for the public under a measure supported by a coalition of conservation and health advocacy groups.
"Improving our quality of life and protecting natural resources in Oklahoma must be a part of our efforts to boost the state’s economy. Not only will increased outdoor recreational areas encourage healthier families that are more active, but we’ll also foster stronger communities with this measure," said Speaker Lance Cargill (R-Harrah). "We need to do more to make Oklahoma a livable and attractive location so that we can recruit new businesses. We’ve made progress to improve Oklahoma’s quality of life over the past several years, but we can do more. My hope is that this measure will spur more permanent green space, parks and recreational areas across the state."
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Oklahoma State Senate, March 7, 2007
"Senate approves bill banning sale of cough medicine/spray paint to minors"
The full Senate has approved a bill that would ban the sale of cough medicine containing dextromethorphan (DXM) as well as spray paint to anyone under the age of 18. State Sen. Charlie Laster is author of Senate Bill 951.
“If a person consumes a high quantity of simple cough medicine, it can be a powerful hallucinogen. Nationwide, we’re seeing increasing numbers of kids winding up in emergency rooms because of it,” Laster said. “It’s a growing problem here as well. The Oklahoma Poison Control Center reports that DXM abuse is on the rise, and we know that more kids are experimenting with inhalants as well. Some kids may think it’s a game, but they could be gambling with their very lives.”
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Oklahoma House of Representatives, March 7, 2007
"Full House passes GOP immigration reform plan"
Lawmakers in the House on Wednesday approved an omnibus Republican immigration reform package with overwhelming bipartisan support, sending the measure to the state Senate for consideration.
"We’ve done the heavy lifting, and now it’s time for the Senate and the governor to work with us to pass real immigration reform for Oklahoma," said Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore), author of House Bill 1804. "We haven’t heard much publicly from the governor on this issue, but Oklahomans are rallying for the strongest reforms in the nation. It’s my hope that all parties can work together to enact this bill into law."
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Senate passes hazardous waste bill

Oklahoma State Senate, March 7, 2007
"Senate approves measure classifying animal waste as nonhazardous"
Classifying animal waste as nonhazardous is critical for the State of Oklahoma and its livestock industry. That's according to Sen. Ron Justice, R-Chickasha, author of Senate Bill 709 which declares manure as a nonhazardous material.
"This bill is critical to the State of Oklahoma because we have such a large livestock industry. It’s approximately a $5 billion industry,” said Justice, R-Chickasha. “If this were to be classified as a hazardous material then it would not only affect all of the livestock producers but it would affect people all across the state.”

Around the Nation

The Coloradan, March 5, 2007
"Legislation gives police gift of time"
Time can be one of the most effective crime-fighting tools, and new legislation approved Thursday by Gov. Ritter has given law officers a much-needed edge.
House Bill 1010 will allow police to submit search and arrest warrant requests over e-mail and then allow judges to approve those warrants with an electronic signature. In a proactive approach, Fort Collins police officers helped craft the bill and supported the legislation through the process. Currently, law officers have to submit written requests and wait for a judge to sign off - a process that can take several hours or even days if judges are overwhelmed by paperwork. The e-mail system allows law officers direct access to judges, including during off hours.
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Stateline.org, March 6, 2007
"States go after smoking in vehicles with kids"
Thirteen states ban smoking in most public places and workplaces, including bars and restaurants, to protect people from puffs of others’ cigarettes. But now there’s a move afoot to fence off the private space inside a motor vehicle if children are present.
Arkansas pioneered the policy in April 2006 after state Rep. Bob Mathis (D) introduced a bill to shield children strapped in car seats from secondhand smoke. Critics didn’t believe his proposal would go anywhere, but the Legislature passed it overwhelmingly in less than two days. And then-Gov. Mike Huckabee (R), a reformed health enthusiast, signed it
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The Los Angeles Times, March 6,2007
"New York's Spitzer loos to Schwarzenegger for inspiration"
They appear to have little in common, these two governors.
One is a pumped-up, Harley-riding movie star with a taste for Hummers, Armani suits and the Kennedy clan. The other is a rail-thin wonk with a perfect LSAT score who is far more comfortable jousting over budgets than making small talk.
One threw a $2.4-million party to celebrate his most recent electoral victory, an event televised nationally and paid for by big business. The other marked his win with an austere public meet-and-greet as corporate lobbyists fretted that his election would diminish their clout.
One is a Republican, the other a Democrat.
But Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer share more than an Austrian lineage. (Spitzer's grandparents were from the old country.) Both have an appetite for big issues and big challenges. And both hope to leverage landslide victories in November — and the public's affinity for their ambition — to transform the role of state government in public life.
And as they barrel ahead on issues that Washington can't or won't address — global warming, universal healthcare, stem cell research — both are prodding balky Legislatures to act.
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The (Cleveland, OH) Plain Dealer, March 6, 2007
"Pilot project to streamline court cases shows success"
A reform project in Lakewood and Shaker Heights municipal courts designed to streamline criminal cases in Cuyahoga County is succeeding and has justice system officials excited.
"Change is coming, and it's change for the better," said Judge Nancy McDonnell, the presiding and ad ministrative judge in Common Pleas Court.
The good news arrived on the heels of a scathing report by a grand jury foreman to McDonnell on Feb. 15.
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The Los Angeles Times, March 6, 2007
"Schwarzenegger calls for coordinated attack on gangs"
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called Monday on mayors and law enforcement officials across California to join with him in forging a counterattack on street gangs blamed for much of the state's violent crime.
Speaking at a news conference at Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department headquarters in Monterey Park, Schwarzenegger proposed a statewide summit after discussing the gang problem for about 40 minutes with L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca, the sheriffs of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties and former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
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The Chicago Tribune, March 4, 2007
"$6 billion state tax in works"
Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected to propose a new $6 billion tax on corporate business revenues to help pay for his ambitious plan to provide affordable health coverage for Illinois' uninsured.
Though Blagojevich rolls out his Illinois Covered health-care plan Sunday, he won't immediately unveil details of his tax plan--the opening gambit in a high-stakes battle to alleviate the state's budget crisis.
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The Boston Globe, March 4, 2007
"Insurers slice rates on health premiums"
Governor Deval Patrick yesterday unveiled significantly lower prices for the health insurance plans that uninsured residents will be required to buy starting July 1.
Patrick said six weeks of intense negotiations, in which he personally called the chief executives of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, and Tufts Health Plan, resulted in lower prices that will make the plans more affordable for uninsured residents.
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The New York Times, March 4, 2007
"Doubts rise as states hold sex offenders after prison term"
The decision by New York to confine sex offenders beyond their prison terms places the state at the forefront of a growing national movement that is popular with politicians and voters. But such programs have almost never met a stated purpose of treating the worst criminals until they no longer pose a threat.
About 2,700 pedophiles, rapists and other sexual offenders are already being held indefinitely, mostly in special treatment centers, under so-called civil commitment programs in 19 states, which on average cost taxpayers four times more than keeping the offenders in prison.
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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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