Health care - more or less government involvement?

The Christian Science Montior reports that, "Starting next week, on July 1, most residents of Massachusetts will be required to carry health insurance, even if their employer doesn't provide it and even if they aren't eligible for a government-subsidized plan."

Mark Trumbull further describes the plan: "The Massachusetts plan outlines a base level of required coverage and encourages competition among insurance providers. A new state-created marketplace, called the Commonwealth Connector, provides the forum for individuals and families to compare health plans online just as they would airline tickets. Gold, silver, and bronze labels give clues about the scope of coverage. The prices also vary by age and occupation."

On the other hand, Lindsay Walle of Edmond recently submitted an idea calling for fewer government mandated-benefit health insurance laws. She wrote, "When government says that insurance policies must cover treatment for this or that condition or disease, it creates a mandated benefit. The costs for those services are passed along to everyone in the insurance pool through higher premiums. These higher costs can contribute to employers dropping or not offering insurance to their employees."

What do you think? Should Oklahoma increase or reduce government mandates regarding health insurance?

Idea for increased school security

The Oklahoman has a story this week about a new security system in five Oklahoma schools. With the help of a grant from the Oklahoma Department of Homeland Security, "School officials have installed a Lobby Guard security system, which checks each visitor's name against a nationwide registry of sex offenders and violent criminals."

"Orvis Risner Principal Paula Carlile said the system keeps her and other employees aware of who's in the building, how long visitors are in the building and who is checking students out.

Is this a good idea to increase school safety? Or is it an example of excessive government intrusion? Let us know what you think!

Transportation ideas from Edmond IdeaRaiser

Since today is the first day of summer and many of you will be traveling across America's highways on vacation with family and friends, here are two transportation ideas from the recent IdeaRaiser in Edmond to consider and comment on.

One idea is to coordinate pike pass with other states that have toll roads. For example, pike pass would work on turnpikes in Oklahoma and Kansas, etc.

Another idea is to have continued driver's education and testing online over recurring intervals, such as every 5 years.

Should Oklahoma ban smoking in public parks?

The Oklahoman reports that the Norman City Council will be voting on a smoking ban for public parks. Jane Glenn Cannon has the story:

Council members have asked Walker to add a section to the updated version of the ordinance, adding a ban on smoking in public parks. The council will vote on the ordinance as a whole in its June 26 council meeting.

Noble recently passed a ban on smoking in city parks, Walker said, "but as far as I can tell no other city in Oklahoma has passed one.”

Read the rest of the story here.

Oklahoma banned smoking in restaurants a few years ago. Do you support extending the ban on smoking to include public parks?

Consolidate State Government?

While attempts to consolidate state entities may not have succeeded during the 2007 legislative session, other efforts may arise if interim studies on the subject prove fruitful.

When Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, began the 2007 session, his agenda included pursuit of greater state government accountability and efficiency. He succeeded with legislation to eliminate 18 task forces, committees and boards that had completed their work or had remained inactive. However, other attempts were made to consolidate agencies such as the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission, the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission and the Will Rogers Memorial Commission.

One of those efforts was HB 1277, by Rep. Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, Rep. Kenneth Miller, R-Edmond, Sen. Tom Adelson, D-Tulsa, Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, D-Ardmore, Sen. Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher, and Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City. The bill would have transferred all powers, duties, functions and responsibilities of the Scenic Rivers Commission to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission effective July 1, 2007. The bill passed out of both the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations, but it was not heard on either floor. It carries over to the next session.

Read the full press release at the okinsider website.

Drug testing?

Clark Tipton, from Tulsa, wants mandatory drug testing for all welfare recipients before they receive state or federal benefits. He posted his idea last week. What do you think of this idea?

Ideas from Enid

Enid IdeaRaiser, June 12, 2007

On Tuesday 100 Ideas travelled to Enid. Over 65 Oklahomans were in attendance, 4 of which were state legislators. We want to know what you think of the ideas they raised. Here are a few:

-Provide state grants for start-up businesses.

-Waive the state income tax for 2 years for people entering the workforce as either current or new residents of Oklahoma.

-Build a light rail system to connect Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Enid, and Lawton.