President Barack Obama to Alter Birth Control Coverage Policy
President Barack Obama is scheduled to announce changes Friday to the controversial policy requiring faith-based institutions to provide health insurance coverage that includes contraception.
Here is a White House fact sheet on the policy change:
FACT SHEET: Women’s Preventive Services and Religious Institutions
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, most health insurance plans will cover women’s preventive services, including contraception, without charging a co-pay or deductible beginning in August, 2012. This new law will save money for millions of Americans …
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Oklahoma Gets Waiver From No Child Left Behind
Oklahoma is one of ten states that won’t have to comply with all of the requirements under the education law known as No Child Left Behind, a White House official confirmed Thursday morning. Oklahoma was among the first 11 states to apply for a waiver after the Obama administration announced last fall that it would relax some of the most controversial provisions.
More later when the official announcement is made, but here is the application Oklahoma submitted for the waiver.…
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Santorum rally site changed
The site for the rally for Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum has changed.
It will be at the Magnuson Hotel and Meridian Convention Center, 737 S. Meridian Ave. It’s just south of Interstate 40.
The venue was changed because of the overwhelming response, according to the Oklahoma Republican Party’s website. It originally was scheduled at the nearby H&H Shooting Sports Complex.
The time remains the same at 9 a.m. There is no charge to attend the rally.
Santorum’s visit today …
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Senate Republicans release agenda
In a legislative agenda closing mirroring the priorities Gov. Mary Fallin outlined in her State of the State address, the Senate Republican caucus pledged a commitment to smaller government and pro-jobs philosophies.
“Our agenda is pro-growth with a renewed dedication to government that is smaller, simpler and smarter while still protecting services that are vital to our citizens,” President Pro Tem Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, said.
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Rep. Frank Lucas Schedules Town Hall Meetings in Anadarko, Altus and Other Towns
Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, has scheduled the following town hall meetings for Feb. 22 and 23.
Wednesday, February 22:
_ Anadarko Town Hall Meeting
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
City Hall, Council Chambers
501 West Virginia
_ Mountain View Town Hall Meeting
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Mountain View – Gotebo High School, Auditorium
150 South First Street
_ Hobart Town Hall Meeting
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Hobart City Hall, Council Chambers
111 East 3rd Street
_ Hollis Town …
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Rep. James Lankford Speaks Out on Birth Control Action by Obama Administration
Rep. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, says he is “outraged” by the Obama administration’s decision requiring birth control to be part of health insurance plans offered by some organizations with a religious affiliation, such as Catholic hospitals or Christian universities.
“I met with presidents of several of Oklahoma’s Christian-affiliated universities this week, and they expressed grave concern about their freedom to practice their faith and values without interference from the federal government,” Lankford said in a statement.
“I share this concern …
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Environmental Group Sierra Club Took Millions in Aid from Chesapeake Energy
According to a story in The Hill, the Sierra Club accepted $26 million from the natural gas industry, with most coming from Chesapeake Energy chief Aubrey McClendon.…
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Second District Republican Debate at 7 p.m. Tuesday
The Claremore Daily Progress and Rogers State University public television are sponsoring a debate at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, among the six Republican candidates vying to replace Rep. Dan Boren, D-Muskogee, in Congress next year. Boren is retiring.
Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, a Republican, is moderating the debate, which will be televised by RSU public television streamed live.…
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Sens. Tom Coburn, Jim Inhofe Return Office Funds to Taxpayers
Politico has a story today charting how much money U.S. senators returned to the Treasury unspent from their office budgets.
According to the story, Sens. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, and Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, were both allotted $6.25 million for 2009 and 2010 for staff salaries and other expenses.
Coburn returned just over $1 million, or 17 percent, unspent; Inhofe returned $418,278, or about 7 percent.…
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Tom Guild to Announce Candidacy for Fifth District Congressional Seat
Democrat Tom Guild, of Edmond, has scheduled his official announcement for Thursday, Feb. 2 that he will again seek the 5th District congressional seat. Guild was defeated in the 2010 Democratic primary for the seat by Oklahoma City attorney Billy Coyle.
After his announcement, Guild, a longtime professor at the University of Central Oklahoma, will open his campaign headquarters at the Stoneway Office Center, 2405 NW I44 Service Rd, STE 100c, in Oklahoma City.
The 5th District seat is held …
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