Capitol Bureau » Uncategorized

Money for roads, bridges being upstaged by snowstorm

Michael McNutt — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:03:05 +0000

Once the snow melts, Oklahomans should be seeing more crews working on state highways and bridges.

The Oklahoma Transportation Commission will begin awarding contracts on about $340 million projects Monday. The money for the work comes from the federal economic stimulus package.

Gov. Brad Henry and state transportation officials are holding a news conference this afternoon at the Capitol to show where federal stimulus funds will be spent.

The $340 million in federal stimulus dollars will pay for a number of highway improvement projects across the state, including interstate repairs, major bridge rehabilitations and safety initiatives such as cable barriers.

This would have been one of the bigger stories of the day, but the blizzard that’s hitting northwest Oklahoma and the Panhandle as well as the increasing possibility of significant snowfall in some parts of the Oklahoma City area are shoving it out of the spotlight.

- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau

Abortion bill goes to full Senate

julie bisbee — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:41:17 +0000

When you’re in the minority party, it’s pretty hard to push your weight around. Democrats were reminded of that Thursday when the Senate Health and Human Services committee passed House Bill 1595 that bans abortions based on the sex of a child, and carries a requirement that doctors take information from women chosing to end a pregnancy and submit it to the Department of Health.

Sen. Tom Adelson, D-Tulsa, summed up the Democratic opposition of this bill simply saying: We’re not against the first five pages of this bill, it’s the remaining 35 that I have a problem with.”

The remaining 35 pages of the bill include a list of questions doctors must ask, including, race, martial status, and the reason a woman wants to end her pregnancy.

Democrats attempted to substitute language of HB 1595 by taking out a requirement that doctors gather information about patients. Then came a string of amendments from Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah and Sen. Constance Johnson, D-Oklahoma City.

Johnson proposed an amendment that would increase the availability of contraception for women. The amendment was successfully tabled with Republican member voting against it. Committee Chairman Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond said the amendment couldn’t be considered because it could impose requirements on insurance companies. Under Senate rules, such bills need a cost study analysis.

Johnson said her amendment would have, “evened the playing field, there are men involved in this situation and this is only being directed at the women.”

After several questions about the need for the information required by the bill, Wilson suggested an amendment to make abortion in Oklahoma illegal all together.

“Instead of fooling around with this every year, let’s pass it along to somebody who cares,” he said.

Wilson’s amendment may have seemed out of character for the senator who in the past has voted against measures to add restrictions to abortions. However, the move gave Republicans, many who have said they are anti-abortion, the opportunity to outlaw abortion in Oklahoma.

Republicans voted to table the amendment, 6-3, with Sen. Sean Burrage, D-Claremore voting with Republican members of the committee.

Wilson’s final amendment was an attempt to create an electronic medical record system in the state. Republican members also successfully tabled this amendment.

After emotional debate, the bill passed the committee with a 6-3 vote. Senators voting in favor of the bill: Jolley; Burrage; Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa; Sen. Jim Halligan, R-Stillwater; Sen. Dan Newberry, R-Tulsa and Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond.

Senators Wilson, Adelson and Johnson opposed the measure. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration. A few weeks ago HB 1595 passed the House, 93-4.

– Julie Bisbee

Capitol Bureau

Russell weighs in on Obama plan

julie bisbee — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:11:18 +0000

As President Obama announced he would end combat in Iraq in 18 months, Sen. Steve Russell, R-Oklahoma City, found himself in the pundit chair on MSNBC’s Hardball Friday afternoon.

Russell, a freshman senator is also a senior policy adviser for Vets for Freedom, chairman of the Vets for Victory and a retired Army colonel with 21 years of service. During his live interview, Russell spoke about the dedication military in Iraq have to completing their mission.

Russell was in Iraq in November and toured Baghdad with troops on patrol.

“There is a remarkable resilience among the troops in Iraq to get the mission accomplished,” he said.

While a victory in Iraq is still being debated, Russell highlighted the sacrifices and accomplishments of troops in Iraq.

“I think it’s always worth it when we defend freedom,” he said. “This isn’t just about about abandoning Iraq, but looking at Iraq as an ally. I’ve lost soldiers, I’ve lost friends who I’ve buried at the national cemetery. What you see is that the President acted responsibly and now it’s time for politicians to act responsibly. I hope politicians on both sides of the aisle will not abandon our troops in Iraq.”

Russell has served in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. His unit helped hunt and capture former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

Julie Bisbee

Capitol Bureau

Freshman initiation

julie bisbee — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:43:54 +0000

If the Senate were a fraternity, Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, was initiated on Tuesday.

Stanislawski presented Senate Bill 604 to the full Senate Tuesday morning. The bill creates an Internet-based instruction task force that will basically make sure students using the Internet for instruction, are indeed really doing what they say they are.

Stanislawski probably didn’t expect a lot of questions or debate on the bill since it passed out of committee with little trouble. But as one the first freshman senators to present a bill, the elder statesman of the Senate had something else in mind.

Sen. Tom Ivester, D-Sayre, started the grilling, asking Stanislawski if the server for the Internet instruction would be outsourced to India or Mexico. It may have been a serious question, it’s hard to tell.

The questions began to unravel when Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City, lodged the acquisition, “Aren’t we increasing government when you do something like this?”

Senators were snickering. Stanislawski look flustered at first. He took a few deep breaths and answered the question, with “That’s a great question…”

At one point he blurted out, “I’m just a freshman senator.”

Exactly.

The highlight of the debate was when Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, D-Ardmore, asked if the task force would use the social networking site, Twitter to meet and discuss their issues.

“Do you plan on using the process called Twittering? Can you tell me what Twittering is?” Crutchfield asked.

By this time Stanislawski had figured out the game. He was lobbing back as senators grilled him for more than 20 minutes.

“Was this freshman initiation?” Stanislawski asked.

The games didn’t end there. As Senators voted, they all voted against Stanislawski’s bill and then changed their votes at the last minute. His bill passed the Senate 46-0.

Senators applauded, patted Stanislawski on the back and shook his hand. Yes, this was freshman initiation and Stanislawski survived the equivalent of a Senate swirly.

Julie Bisbee

Capitol Bureau

Senate supports anti-abortion measure

julie bisbee — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:32:08 +0000

The Senate passed a resolution today against President Barack Obama’s “Freedom of Choice,” Act which outlines that a woman’s right to chose whether to have a baby or terminate a pregnancy should be a guaranteed right.

The resolution filed by freshman Sen. Dan Newberry, R-Tulsa, says the Senate opposes the federal efforts to protect access to abortion and family planning. The measure, passed on a voice vote, got no audible opposition. But without using the electronic voting system, there was no real way to tell who voted for it and who didn’t.

The resolution was passed the same day that anti-abortion groups came to the capitol and handed out roses to raise awareness.

Newberry said Senate Resolution 5 reflects the wishes of Oklahomans.

“Oklahomans have continually supported pro-life issues and this honorable body has continually passed pro-life measures,” Newberry said. “All would be negated if the Freedom of Choice Act becomes law. This act also causes Oklahomans and United States citizens to give up their 10th amendment right, granting more control to the federal government in determining our rights.”

- Julie Bisbee, Capitol Bureau

Rose Day at the state Capitol

Michael McNutt — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:45:44 +0000

State Rep. Ken Miller, R-Edmond, accepts roses today from Cale Curtain, Courtney Pollock and Liz Kleehammer, students from Oklahoma Christian School in Edmond. The students , members of the school’s Rose Day committee, delivered the roses to Miller’s office at the state Capitol. Each year, hundreds gather at the Capitol at the beginning of the legislative session to promote and support the lives of unborn babies by meeting with their state senators and representatives and presenting them with red roses, which represent the sanctity of the unborn.

- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau

Budget woes will overshadow other issues at the Capitol, governor says

Michael McNutt — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:24:11 +0000

Putting together a budget at a time when the state faces a budget shortfall of about $600 million will be the most critical task legislators will undertake this session, Gov. Brad Henry says. Legislators return today for the first session of the 52nd Legislature.
“This is going to be a very difficult and challenging legislative session because of the fiscal environment that we find ourselves in,” he said. “Also, there is a national and international economic crisis that certainly is affecting Oklahoma.”
Henry said he will rely on his skills at bringing both sides together, as he did six years ago when the state faced a much stiffer budget challenge, to work out differences.
“In the end, the budget will overshadow all issues,” Henry said. “It will be very difficult to come up with new dollars for new programs or expanded programs. It will be a tough and very difficult year for our agencies.”
The state faced a more serious shortfall six years ago — Henry’s first year in office — when the shortfall was $700 million, or about 15 percent of the state’s $5 billion budget, and the Rainy Day Fund contained about $70 million. Today, the shortfall is about 8 percent of the state’s estimated $6.8 billion budget and the Rainy Day Fund, the state’s savings account, is full with nearly $600 million.
Legislators and the governor cut programs and services in 2003, but were able to balance the budget without increasing taxes. Henry said the same can be accomplished this year, but without taking money from the Rainy Day Fund; legislators six years ago drained all but about $100,000 from the fund.
“My goal this year is to bring again everyone together — legislative leaders in both parties — and craft a consensus budget … that will utilize surgical cuts and other efficiencies and we’ll protect priority areas,” He said.
It’s his goal to protect education, health care and public safety from cuts, the governor said. His budget, which he will present to legislators today, won’t call for across-the-board cuts. He’s interested in savings the state can achieve through changing purchasing and Internet services procedures, which a House committee estimates could save Oklahoma tens of millions of dollars.
“It is critical that we preserve the Rainy Day Fund because we just don’t know how this economy is going to pan out over the next couple of years and the effect that it will have on Oklahoma’s revenues,” Henry said. “It’s prudent to preserve the Rainy Day Fund and make sure that we have that available if revenues actually worsen over the course of the next year or so.”

- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau

Session begins Monday

julie bisbee — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:36:23 +0000

The off-season is over and now lawmakers will be working to get their Legislation through the hurdles.

The House and Senate will convene at noon. Gov. Brad Henry will give his State of the State Address to a joint session in House.

In his speech Henry is expected to outline his goals for the next year. Henry will also release his budget. Lawmakers will begin the legislative session with an estimated $600 million less than they had last fiscal year. Lawmakers have filed 2,510 bills and 88 joint resolutions to be heard during the legislative session. Bills must pass out of the chamber where they were introduced by March 12.

Check out our video. Look for our stories each day in The Oklahoman, or online at newsok.com. Come to our blog as we update it with insights from the session.

http://feeds.newsok.tv/services/link/bcpid1766638491/bctid9561546001

Ice storm quiets Capitol

Michael McNutt — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 06:43:40 +0000

Normally a week before the start of the legislative session, the state Capitol is bustling with activity.

A significant ice storm can change all that.

It will be quieter than usual today at the state Capitol as most offices here will remain closed because of the ice storm that is causing dangerous driving conditions. The first session of the 52nd Oklahoma Legislature starts Monday.

Public Safety Commissioner Kevin Ward, as authorized by the governor, announced early today that state agencies may continue to temporarily reduce services for Canadian, Cleveland, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie counties. Nonessential employees in those counties, including those at the Capitol, were sent home early Monday afternoon.

Agency directors outside the seven counties will make the decision for their agencies, said Oscar Jackson, administrator of the state Office of Personnel Management.

State employees told to stay home today will not have to use personal leave or sick time.

State employees assigned to maintain basic essential functions are to remain at work or report to work as scheduled. These include correctional officers, state troopers, Transportation Department crews and those working in hospitals, care centers and mental health facilities, Jackson said.

- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau

Governor wants to improve state’s economic, research edge

Michael McNutt — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:32:21 +0000

Economic times are tough, but Gov. Brad Henry wants legislators to find a funding source to pump money into a fund to stimulate research projects, which eventually would stimulate the state’s economy.

Despite legislators facing a budget shortfall estimated at $600 million for the 2010 fiscal year compared with this fiscal year, the governor is holding a state Capitol news conference today to challenge legislators to find a permanent funding source for the state’s research endowment fund. He’ll make a suggestion where money can be tapped for the fund.

The endowment generates money to help fund cutting-edge research projects across the state. It was recommended by the Economic Development Generating Excellence task force that Henry appointed in 2003 – the last time the state experienced an economic slowdown.

The EDGE panel of public and private sector leaders recommended the establishment of a $1 billion endowment to help boost research projects in Oklahoma. So far, legislators have deposited $150 million in the fund.

- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau