Budget agreement announced
Gov. Brad Henry and legislative leaders tonight announced an agreement on how the state’s reserve funds should be used to fill the state’s budget hole for this fiscal year.
The agreement calls for using $223.5 million of the state’s savings account, the Rainy Day Fund, for this fiscal year and $223.5 million to be available for the upcoming 2011 fiscal year, which starts July 1. That would leave about $149 million in the Rainy Day Fund.
House and Senate budget committee members approved bills today that authorized where the money would be spent.…
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Fiscal year 2010 budget agreement reached; details to be announced today
An agreement should be announced today on how state leaders will take care of a nearly $500 million deficit at the end of this fiscal year.
The agreement, which will show much of the state’s savings account will be tapped to balance this fiscal year’s budget, apparently was ready to roll out Wednesday, but legislative leaders were unable to show it first to all lawmakers.
A couple interesting things to note in the agreement will be how much of the state’s Rainy Day Fund was used for this fiscal year, which ends June 30.…
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Tax Commission now offering online vehicle tag renewals
The state’s online vehicle tag renewal system went online today.
The Oklahoma Tax Commission had wanted to launch the system last month, but it delayed the online service after legislative leaders asked the agency to postpone activating the service after hearing concerns from tag agents that the service would cut into their business.
The Tax Commission activated the system today with little fanfare. The system, called CARS for Convenient Auto Renewal System, allows for the online renewal of most vehicle tags.…
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Legislator celebrating third son
Rep. Terry Harrison, D-McAlester, had a good reason to miss today’s House session.
His wife, wife, Amy, gave birth today to Tristan Michael Harrison.
Tristan weighs 6 pounds, 9 ounces, and is 19½ inches long.
Both mom and baby are doing well.
This is Harrison’s third child. His other children are Carson, 7, and Nathaniel, 4.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
…
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Governor to announce child safety program
The governor will be getting some help today from the state’s top public schools official and OU’s head fo otball coach to announce a child safety initiative.
Gov. Brad Henry, state schools Superintendent Sandy Garrett and University of Oklahoma head footballcoach Bob Stoops will announce a federally funded child safety initiative designed to assist families with elementary school children.
A news conference is scheduled for 2 this afternoon in the Blue Room at the state Capitol.
Partners involved in the project include the state Education Department, the American Football Coaches Association, the FBI and the National Child Identification Program.…
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Cloud drops congressional bid
Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Jeff Cloud is ending his bid to run for Congress because of a health issue, but he said tonight he will continue to serve in his state post.
Cloud, who announced in December he was seeking the 5th Congressional District seat, issued a statement that he is ending his congressional campaign because of health concerns and the continuing responsibilities with both his job as corporation commissioner and with his family.
“Soon I will have surgery to take care of a nonlife-threatening health concern,” Cloud, 48, said.…
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Democrat announces for state treasurer
Jon Robinson of Newcastle is the first Democrat to announce for the post.
Robinson, 56, worked previously for 12 years in the state auditor and inspector’s office. He left state government in 1996 and worked for several businesses. Since 2004, he worked for four American Indian tribes.
State Treasurer Scott Meacham, a Democrat, is not seeking re-election.
Two Republicans, former state Sen. Owen Laughlin from Woodward and state Rep.…
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Norman House candidate ends bid
A day before his scheduled court appearance on a DUI charge, Matt Hecox has withdrawn as a contender in this year’s race for a state House seat in Norman.
Matt Hecox of Norman issued a brief statement today saying he no longer was seeking the House District 44 post because of “personal reasons.”
Hecox, 22, was arrested New Year’s Eve for driving under the influence of alcohol, records show. He was due to appear Tuesday on the misdemeanor count in a Cleveland County courtroom.…
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House Republicans move quickly to save face
House Republican leaders acted quickly Thursday to rally behind their newest member, a day after his first speech on the House floor ended up as part of an embarrassing loss for the GOP majority.
House Democrats pounced on Wednesday’s defeat of an appropriations bill for the Oklahoma Spaceport and blamed its failure on the inability of Rep. Todd Russ to get the support of his fellow Republicans for the measure.
The spaceport near Burns Flat is in Russ’s House District 55.…
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Horse dental bill passes committee
House Bill 3202, which would remove criminal penalties against equine dentists, or teeth floaters, passed a House committee today.
The House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee approved the measure, 11-3. It now goes to the full House.
More than 75 people, mostly horse owners, jammed into a committee room and part of an overflow room to show their support for equine dentists.
The bill’s author, Rep. Don Armes, R-Faxon, said there are not enough licensed veterinarians in the state to offer equine dentistry for the approximately 325,000 horses in Oklahoma.…
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