State Roundup

The Daily Oklahoman, Feb. 20, 2007
"College aid pushed for troops' children"
Children of military men and women who die in the line of duty will get free tuition to state universities if a bill passed out of a House subcommittee Monday becomes law.
Homeschoolers would also qualify for a state scholarship tuition program designed for children who meet certain requirements and can demonstrate a financial need under another approved bill.
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Tulsa World, Feb. 20, 2007
"Measure would curb pollution lawsuits"
Legislation adopted by a state House subcommittee Monday would place new burdens on Oklahoma's top environmental regulator and delay legal action to clean up polluted waterways by as long as 18 years, according to Oklahoma's environmental secretary.
"I don't think clean water can wait that long," Secretary of the Environment Miles Tolbert said after the House Subcommittee on Environment and Wildlife voted 7-2 to advance the bill to the House Natural Resources Committee.
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Edmond Sun, Feb. 19, 2007
Gov. Henry calls for Oklahoma Bionergy Center
Since statehood, agriculture and the energy industry have defined Oklahoma and formed the bedrock of our economy, and they continue to do so today. But as our nation seeks to lessen its dependence on foreign oil, Oklahoma is poised to continue as a global leader in energy and agriculture with the creation of the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center.
The world-class Oklahoma Bioenergy Center would bring researchers from around Oklahoma, and across the nation, for the research and development of new fuel sources. In addition, the institution would serve to educate farmers, ranchers and the public about energy crops.
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Oklahoma House of Representatives, Feb. 19, 2007
"Arts Education Measure Advances in Oklahoma House"
A measure to boost arts education programs in Oklahoma schools by creating public-private partnerships won approval Monday from state lawmakers in a House subcommittee.
“As we focus on economic development, it’s absolutely crucial to create the right conditions for a thriving quality of life in Oklahoma to attract and retain the best and the brightest. I want every Oklahoma child to have a world-class education, not just the privileged few,” said Speaker Lance Cargill (R-Harrah), author of House Bill 2102. “Exposure to visual arts, especially during our children’s youngest school years, is crucial to intellectual development. It can even help students with other subject areas like math. If we’re going to foster a talented and capable workforce, creating more arts programs is one piece of the puzzle.”
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