House web site can be confusing
This week a lawmaker was arrested for driving under the influence. It made me refresh my court and cop reporting skills (with the help of a fellow reporter) to remind me how to obtain police reports and who to call about court proceedings. Funny how being bogged down in politics can make you forget some of the basics of journalism 101.
But that arrest began to call other parts of the lawmaker’s service into question as well. All of us in the Capitol newsroom have noticed that Rep.…
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Perception or reality?
A Democratic senator says hurt feelings may not have been the main reason Senate Democratic leaders threw their chips in with Republicans on striking a budget deal without the governor’s input, but admits that’s the perception.
Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, has denied he signed onto the budget deal that Gov. Brad Henry since has vetoed because the governor last year showed a budget compromise to Senate Democrats only after House Republican leaders agreed to it.
Morgan, without input from the Democratic governor or House Democrats, worked out a deal with House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, and Senate co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.…
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More health care sought for kids, moms
Legislators are being asked to increase Medicaid funding to provide health care to more children and to find new ways to provide prenatal care and education to poor mothers, including illegal immigrants.
Two groups were out Tuesday at the Capitol giving information to lawmakers.
Members of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy said that by increasing Medicaid eligibility for children from 185 percent of the poverty level to 300 percent — the maximum allowed by federal restrictions — the state’s Medicaid program would be able to provide coverage for as many as 40,000 more children.…
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Governor stumped – but not by budget
Sometimes it can be humbling to be governor.
Gov. Brad Henry, after posing for pictures today with the top three winners in last week’s Oklahoma Geographic Bee, was put on the spot: Would he answer the question that 8th-grader Tyler Bowen of Lakeview Middle School in Yukon knew to win the state championship?
Sure, the governor told Tyler and the other top finishers, 5th-grader Nathan Thompson of Washington Elementary School in Norman, who finished second, and 8th-grader Nathan Jackson of Central Junior High School in Moore, who finished third among 100 competitors.…
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