Lawsuit reform bill on tap
Still no word on the elusive videographer, but perhaps an even more elusive matter will be discussed tomorrow in the House. Civil lawsuit reform.
This mammoth bill has been whittled down to 100-plus page document that includes changes to the way class-action cases are heard in court. The bill also contains language to set up a task force to look at creating a fund, paid for with tax dollars, to offset the cost of damages in medical negligence cases.
This bill is the product of countless hours of discussions and negotiations on the part of Republican leaders, trial attorneys and mineral rights owners.…
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Recent Defense Contracts
The Pentagon has announced these contracts in the last two weeks that include Oklahoma companies or Oklahoma military installations:
_ Banham Construction, LLC, Oklahoma City, Okla. was awarded a $20,660,814 firm fixed price contract to design, site preparation and construction of a single story multi-bay cargo aircraft hangar building (860SF) with concrete foundation and floor stab, structural steel frame and masonry walls with insulated metal roof. Project includes concrete aprons. Offices for personnel, HVAC, utilities, fire protection, lightning system utilities. Install overhead bridge crane system.…
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Inhofe Welcomes New General
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a frequent visitor to Afghanistan, praised U.S. Army Gen. David McKiernan, who was replaced as the top commander in Afghanistan by Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
Inhofe also welcomed Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal to the post, as well as Lt. Gen. David M. Rodriguez, who will be McChrystal’s deputy.
“General McKiernan is a combat proven warrior – a man who epitomizes the words honor and integrity,” Inhofe said.…
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Obama Takes Shots at Cheney, Limbaugh
President Barack Obama’s remarks at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday included some jabs at Republicans and members of his own staff, as well as some more serious reflections on troubles in the newspaper industry:
“Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Good evening. You know, I had an entire speech prepared for this wonderful occasion, but now that I’m here I think I’m going to try something a little different. Tonight I want to speak from the heart. I’m going to speak off the cuff.…
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Obama Mentions Oklahoma Letter
In remarks today about educational aid for the unemployed, President Barack Obama mentioned a letter he got from an Oklahoma veteran:
“This morning, we learned that our economy lost another 539,000 jobs in the month of April. While it’s somewhat encouraging that this number is lower than it’s been in each of the past six months, it is a sobering toll. The unemployment rate is at its highest point in twenty-five years. It underscores the point that we’re still in the midst of a recession that was years in the making and will be months or even years in the unmaking; and we should expect further job losses in the months to come.…
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Update on 'Partisan Political Hit-man'
Day two in the saga of who was that masked ‘independent videographer’ in the Senate media gallery. It’s starting to sound like a crime drama. Maybe its just a light hearted distraction to the real business that needs to be done in the next two weeks, the budget, and any other pending legislation before lawmakers hope to break on May 22.
Apparently more than one person saw the cameraman who said he was there to video tape Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Glenn Coffee’s desk.…
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Key speaks nationally on Oklahoma sovereignty
Rep. Charles Key, R-Bethany is getting some national attention after the House successfully passed a resolution in support of limited federal government.
Key, talks to Montel Williams on “Montel Across America,” this morning. Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, is also expected to speak on the issue in California and has been contacted by the Pennsylvania legislature to talk about state sovereignty.
Listen to the full interview:
…
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Inhofe, Lucas Pumped About Bush Visit
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, are excited about the news that former President George W. Bush will visit the western Oklahoma town of Woodward for Fourth of July festivities and the dedication of Crystal Beach Park.
Lucas said, “Crystal Beach Park is a landmark in Woodward. The recent renovations it has undergone have made it even more of a treasure to the city. I am sure that President Bush will enjoy the warm hospitality of Woodward this Fourth of July.…
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Watts and the BCS
Politico has a story today about J.C. Watts representing the Bowl Championship Series as a lobbyist.
Not exactly a new gig. Watts, the former Oklahoma congressman and former Sooner quarterback, was hired by the BCS back in 2003 when the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the controversial football bowl system.
Oddly, I didn’t see Watts at the House hearing on Friday about the BCS. He has been spending a lot of time in Oklahoma in the last few weeks.…
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Senate Republicans concerned about media gallery use
This release was passed out to members of the Capitol press corps Wednesday afternoon. Video cameras aren’t allowed in the Senate gallery, but there is a media press box equipped for video. Signs on the door of the press box say “Reserved for Members of the Press Only.”
We’re still trying to track down who exactly was in the video press box yesterday afternoon. Normally OETA’s camera crew is the only television crew in the press box unless The Flaming Lips are in the Senate gallery.…
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