State Roundup

Oklahoma House of Representatives, Feb. 14, 2007
"Bill Creating Special Health Care & Technology Task Force Receives House Approval"
Legislation creating a state task force that would examine the incorporation of information-sharing technology into Oklahoma’s medical community passed a floor vote of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Wednesday.
House Bill 1818, by Rep. Scott Martin, would create a task force to look at creating a secure structure for sharing specific patient information among medical care providers. The move would make most medical records paperless and enable doctors and other providers to quickly and simply share a patient’s medical information.
[...]

The Daily Oklahoman, Feb. 13, 2007
"Plan would reduce high school dropouts"
Gov. Brad Henry's proposal to reduce the number of high school dropouts in Oklahoma cleared its first legislative hurdle Monday.
Senate Bill 519 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson would tighten the law to make it more difficult for a student to drop out of school.
The legislation eliminates a section of law allowing a student to leave school if school administrators and parents agree that it would be in the best interest of the student to drop out, she said.
[...]

Tulsa world, Feb. 15, 2007
"'Fit to Lead': Legislators trim the fat"
Hours before they're due at the state Capitol, about two dozen Oklahoma lawmakers spend their early mornings at the gym in an effort, they say, to lead by example.
The lawmakers' workout program officially began last year but was whipped into shape this session by Becky Switzer, the former University of Oklahoma women's gymnastics coach and the wife of football coaching legend Barry Switzer.
[...]

Oklahoma House of Representatives, Feb. 14, 2007
"Legislation to Target MySpace Predators Passes House"
Sexual predators are targeting Oklahoma’s innocent children through harmless entertainment outlets, such as the web.
What may seem like a safe and innocent way for children to communicate with friends and relatives via Internet is also a way for sex offenders to prey on the young and innocent, state Rep. Paul Wesselhoft warned House members today – and that’s why he wants to make it difficult for sex offenders to have ‘MySpace’ accounts.
[...]

Oklahoma House of Representatives, Feb. 14, 2007
"House Committee Passes Government Oversight Measure"
A measure to seek greater government efficiency and accountability for Oklahoma taxpayers passed a House committee on Wednesday. The measure is a key part of the House Republican majority's legislative agenda this year.
"Oklahomans should see results from the government they pay for, and we are making government accountability and efficiency a top priority this year," said Speaker Lance Cargill (R-Harrah). "This measure adds an independent voice to take the politics out of the budget process and save taxpayers money."
[...]