Funeral services set for Bellmon
Funeral services for former Gov. Henry Bellmon have been scheduled. Bellmon died Tuesday morning from complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 88.
Bellmon was Oklahoma’s first Republican governor and credited for the rise of the Republican party in Oklahoma.
Bellmon’s body will lie in repose at the state Capitol from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, 1001 S Rankin in Edmond, and a service …
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Longtime Capitol reporter reflects on Bellmon
John Greiner, former Capitol Reporter for The Oklahoman for 37 years, shares some of his favorite memories of former Gov. Henry Bellmon. Bellmon died Tuesday morning from complications from Parkinson’s disease. Bellmon, Oklahoma’s first Republican governor, was 88.
While at the Capitol, Greiner covered seven governors. Greiner retired last October.
I learned the first time I ever met Henry Bellmon that he never left anything to chance when he was campaigning.
It was early in one morning at a …
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Former Gov. Bellmon dies
The man who has been sometimes dubbed the “father of Oklahoma’s Republican Party,” has died.
Former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Henry Bellmon died this morning in Enid from complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 88, according to a statement released by Bellmon’s former chief of staff Andrew Tevington. Bellmon was a two-term governor who also served 12 years in the U.S. Senate. He’s been credited with many reforms to the state’s education system and revered by politicians on both sides …
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Candidate actually running
State Sen. Kenneth Corn, running for lieutenant governor in 2010, will actually be running tomorrow.
Corn, D-Poteau, is taking part in the Oklahoma Caring Foundation’s 10-kilometer Capitol Challenge. It starts at 8 a.m. Saturday and takes place around the state Capitol.
The event is intended to help raise money to provide free immunizations and health care for eligible Oklahoma children, Corn said.
Corn, 32, is a runner. He works out at least three times a week at the gym and …
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Education funding could be tough ballot measure
The 2010 elections may seem far off. But in the state Capitol folks are already lining up their message and jockeying. Which can only mean the next legislative season will interesting. Lawmakers up for re-election will either be overly cautious, not wanting to offend or they’ll be outlandish, hoping to garner attention and get their name out.
Either way, it’s incumbent upon voters to pay attention and try to understand the issues, not just the rhetoric.
Today is the second …
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State treasurer heads to fair
State Treasurer Scott Meacham will be helping fairgoers today at the Oklahoma State Fair search for unclaimed property that may be held by the state.
The treasurer’s office is holding about $300 million that belongs to approximately 500,000 Oklahomans. His staff is operating a booth in the Cox Pavilion during the fair, which runs through Sunday.
Meacham will be at the treasurer’s booth at 2 this afternoon.
During the first four days of the fair, workers from the treasurer’s unclaimed …
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Sprucing up the place…
The Oklahoma House is perhaps taking a cue from Oklahoma State University’s clever, “Hire OSUgrads” media back drop with it’s latest purchase. The division purchased a navy blue backdrop with the state seal on it. The new backdrop was installed Friday in the broadcast press room.
Total cost: $1,800.
The backdrop was ordered last legislative session, said Jennifer Monies, spokeswoman for the Speaker of the House. That was before the state had to start freezing travel and talking furloughs.
The backdrop will only …
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If only it were snow…
How many days of rain have we had this week?
It wouldn’t surprise me if some state officials were quietly thinking, “If only it were snow.”
Yes, snow and a cold winter. That would mean we’d all be running our heaters, mostly powered by natural gas. Folks on the East Coast would looking for oil for their heaters and we’d all be topping off our gas tanks.
Yes…a good long cold winter would help state government clear a revenue hurdle and hopefully …
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Gumm kickoffs re-election campaign
Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant was expected to kick off his re-election campaign this evening at a Durant restaurant.
Gumm is seeking his third term in office and final four-year term in Oklahoma Senate District 6, which includes Bryan, Johnston and Marshall counties and portions of Coal and Atoka counties. The Oklahoma Constitution limits members of the Legislature to 12 years of service. Upon re-election in 2010, the senator would reach the 12-year limit at the expiration of that term in …
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Rainy rallies in Oklahoma
With the president wanting Congress to approve his health care reform proposals by the end of the year, thousands of Oklahomans rallied on both sides of the issue in a steady rain Sunday outside the state Capitol.
Opponents, who attended a so-called tea party made up of people also opposed to higher taxes and what they say is out-of-control government spending, clearly outnumbered supporters in two separate rallies.
A crowd estimated at 5,500 gathered Sunday afternoon on the north steps …
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