Leftwich will not seek another term
As Senators congratulated each other on another session, Sen. Debbe Leftwich announced she would not seek another term. Leftwich, a Democrat representing southern Oklahoma City filled her husband’s term after his death.
Here’s a statement from Leftwich:
After much consideration, I have decided that I will not seek another term in the Oklahoma State Senate. My husband, Keith, served District 44 with tremendous distinction, but when he lost his fight with cancer in 2003, he still had unfinished work at
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White House Memo on Sestak
The White House just released this memo regarding the circumstances surrounding efforts to persuade Rep. Joe Sestak to get out of the Pennsylvania Senate race. Sestak beat longtime U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter in the Democratic primary this month.
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Senate Narrowly Defeats Coburn Amendments
The Senate just defeated two amendments to cut spending to offset $60 billion in emergency war funding. One amendment was tabled by a vote of 53-45; the other was tabled 50-47. Sen. Tom Coburn got some support from Democrats increasingly worried about deficit spending.
Coburn, R-Muskogee, proposed freezing federal workers’ pay, cutting Congress’ budget, eliminating waste and using federal money that hasn’t yet been obligated. Those proposals were included in a menu of possible spending cuts to offset the war …
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State poised to make millions more selling drivers license data
A key part of the state budget deal means Oklahoma could bring in another $18 million a year from selling motor vehicle records to insurance companies and employment verification firms that include the personal information of all licensed drivers. We wrote about those sales back in April; the Tulsa World had an update last weekend. [...]
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Coburn on Morning Joe About Deficit
U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn was interviewed this morning on MSNBC’s Morning Joe program about cutting spending.
Votes are expected in the Senate today on two Coburn amendments to offset spending in a $60 billion war funding bill.…
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Military pay bill to be heard this week
A measure that would treat military retirement pay like alimony is expected to be heard in the Senate this week.
House Bill 1053 was a hot topic last year. Basically it would change how military retirement pay is divided when a couple is divorced. Under current law, a non-military spouse is entitled to a portion of the pay even if the couple should divorce. HB 1053 would allow a judge to decide end the payment on the bill if the …
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Boren Buys Stock in Mickey Mouse
Rep. Dan Boren, D-Muskogee, is finding out that, as the parent of a toddler, you feel like you should be a part owner of Disney because of all the money you sink into their products. So Boren went ahead and became a part owner last year, buying stock in the Disney Company, according to his recent financial disclosure form.
According to the form, Boren bought stock worth between $1,000 and $15,000; lawmakers are only required to report such transactions in …
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Last-minute DOB privacy legislation, Part II
We just got word tonight that Rep. Randy Terrill has filed new legislation that will close off the dates of birth of all public employees in Oklahoma. This is despite the fact that the state makes millions selling the same information for registered voters, licensed drivers and college students. Sensing that a standalone bill like [...]
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Abortion reporting bill becomes law, bill includes questions
With only one Republican vote, the Senate voted in favor of overriding the governor’s veto of House Bill 3284 today. The bill requires doctors to glean personal information from women seeking an abortion and submit it to the state. Below is text from the bill that includes some of the information that doctors will glean from patients. The reporting would begin April 1, 2012.
The bill’s author, Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, says “Data is pure,” and policy makers want to …
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Education reform measures pass
In the last week of the legislative session, two key education reforms have passed. Senate Bill 2033 and SB 1862 are reform measures that have been in the works for much of the legislative session. Republicans, who hold a majority in both chambers, have discussed numerous reform measures.
This November, voters will also have the opportunity to elect a new state superintendent of education. Sandy Garrett announced earlier this year that she would not seek another term. Expect education funding …
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