This week at the Capitol

Capitol News

• Oklahoma Senate panel approves death penalty for child rapists March 17, 2010
  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Legislature is pushing forward a bill to allow the death penalty for child rapists, despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that such a penalty is unconstitutional.A Senate committee on Wednesday passed a bill already approved in the House that authorizes the death penalty for anyone convicted of a second offense of rapin […]
• Oklahoma lawmaker hangs picture switch on joke, beliefs March 17, 2010
  A freshman Republican lawmaker stepped forward Tuesday and said he moved the portrait of President Barack Obama that hangs in the House chamber "to bring levity to what was otherwise a very contentious day.”"Why are you guys making such a big deal about something that was just a joke?” asked Rep.Read more on NewsOK.com […]
• Oklahoma Lottery Commission declares it won’t scratch commercials March 17, 2010
  The Oklahoma Lottery Commission’s advertising campaign showing how the games’ profits go to education is the most effective since the lottery started in 2005, the commission’s executive director said Tuesday.The campaign will continue despite an effort by Republican legislators to have the ads pulled, Jim Scroggins said."It’s doing the job it’s supposed […]
• Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry names new trustee March 17, 2010
  Jerry Eden, an Elk City Democrat, attended his first Lottery Commission meeting Tuesday after being named a lottery trustee by Gov.Read more on NewsOK.com […]
• Audit cites overspending by Oklahoma medical examiners March 17, 2010
  An emergency financial review of the state medical examiner’s office shows its practice of overspending has left it perilously close to running out of money, but no fraudulent or other criminal activity was detected, the state’s auditor said Tuesday.The agency would have been short money had the agency’s two top administrative posts been filled, state Audito […]
• Capitol Briefs: Bill makes flag for vets March 17, 2010
  Bill makes flag for vetsOklahoma would have a special flag for slain veterans under a resolution approved by the Senate on Tuesday.Read more on NewsOK.com […]
• Oklahoma GOP forges ahead with workers' comp overhaul March 16, 2010
  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Senate Republicans on Tuesday continued their push to completely overhaul Oklahoma's workers' compensation laws, arguing the system is too expensive for businesses.The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a half-dozen workers' compensation bills, most of which drew opposition from Democrats who argued the proposals wouldn […]
• Oklahoma audit finds overspending at Office of Chief Medical Examiner March 16, 2010
  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — State auditors say overspending and mismanagement have contributed to financial problems at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.A financial review of the agency by Auditor and Inspector Steve Burrage's office indicates the agency's payrolls costs are too high compared to the revenue it receives.Read more on NewsOK.com […]