Senate Approves Ban on Cell Phones in Prisons
Sen. Don Barrington believes Oklahoma's prisons would be safer without cell phones, and the Senate agreed Wednesday approving Senate Bill 1064 banning them and other electronic devices capable of sending or receiving electronic communications from correctional facilities....
03/11/2009
Judicial Reform Passes Senate
Senate Bill 609 by Senator Todd Lamb, passed out of the Senate Tuesday.
The provisions in Senate Bill 609 reduce the number of judges on the Workers' Compensation Court from ten to seven. Four of the judges will be permanently assigned to the Oklahoma City Workers'...
03/11/2009
Senate Approves Bill to Expand DNA Database
A bill that could help Oklahoma law enforcement solve numerous cold cases, including homicides and sexual assaults, is one step closer to becoming law. Senate Bill 1102 would add a number of misdemeanor crimes to the felony crimes already on the books which can result in the...
03/11/2009
Senate Approves Task Force to Help State's At-Risk Youth Become Productive Adults
The Senate unanimously approved legislation Tuesday to create a task force to find solutions to help Oklahoma's at-risk youth become independent, productive adults. Senate Bill 283, by Sen. Harry Coates, would create the Task Force on Youth Transitioning into Adulthood....
03/11/2009
Senate Approves '21st Century Quality Jobs' Legislation
Legislation using targeted incentives to attract top-paying jobs to Oklahoma has won approval in the State Senate. Senator Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, is the author of Senate Bill 938 which creates the "21st Century Quality Jobs" program. The measure was approved unanimously on...
03/11/2009
Senate Approves Scleral Tattooing Ban
The full Senate has given unanimous approval to a bill that would ban a dangerous new fad?eyeball tattooing. Senator Cliff Branan is the author of Senate Bill 844, which prohibits scleral tattooing.
"Scleral tattooing involves using a needle to inject colored ink into the...
03/10/2009
March is National Nutrition Month
When money is tight and time is short, it may seem difficult to make healthy food choices. Registered dietitians remind consumers that meals don't have to be costly or elaborate when trying to eat right.
According to a recent American Dietetic Association's (ADA) consumer...
03/10/2009
Drug Agency Teams With Pharmacies To Curb Meth Production
The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) is teaming with state pharmacies to further curb the production of methamphetamine. In 2004, Oklahoma passed model legislation restricting the sale of pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient in the manufacturing of meth. As a result, meth...
03/10/2009
Oklahoma State Senate Calls on Congress to Pass Immigration Reform
State Senator Harry Coates has won unanimous approval for legislation calling on Congress to pass meaningful immigration reform. Senate Joint Resolution 6 was approved on Tuesday. Coates said citizens across the nation are frustrated with the lack of congressional action on...
03/10/2009
School District Empowerment Program Passes Senate
The State Senate approved Senator John Ford's Senate Bill 834, a bill designed to give greater local control to Oklahoma public school districts.
Senate Bill 834, the School District Empowerment Program, would remove many of the unfunded state mandates currently restricting...
03/10/2009
Office of Accountability Passes Senate Today
Another Major Step Toward Bringing Greater Efficiency to State Government
The State Senate passed SB646, the State Office of Accountability and Innovation, the second step toward greater efficiency in state government as proposed by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee...
03/10/2009
Senate Approves Pro-life Measure
Senate Bill 1103 by President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee unanimously passed the Senate today, providing protections for pregnant women subject to domestic violence abuse.
Senate Bill 1103 creates the "Use of Force for the Protection of the Unborn Act." The provisions in...
03/10/2009
Social Host Legislation Heads to House
The House of Representatives is the next stop for a measure to help clamp down on underage drinking. On Monday, the full Senate approved an amendment by Sen. Debbe Leftwich which adds graduated penalties to the Oklahoma's social host law.
The current statute only holds...
03/10/2009
State Collections Slow in February, Budget Picture Tightens
February revenue collections fell significantly below the prior year and the estimate for the month, reflecting Oklahoma's
participation in the national recession and significantly tightening the budget picture for state government, State Treasurer Scott Meacham announced...
03/09/2009
26th Annual Oklahoma World Trade Conference April 8 at the Reed Center in Midwest City
March 9, 2009 -- Mark your calendar now to attend the 26th annual Oklahoma World Trade Conference at the Reed Center in Midwest City. Register today! (http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaID=175835 CFID=14537840 CFTOKEN=33381089)The conference is sponsored by the Oklahoma...
03/09/2009
'Survival jobs' still help pay the bills
STILLWATER, Okla. You have been laid off. The balance in your savings account continues to dwindle. Your unemployment benefits have expired and jobs in your field continue to be scarce. However, the mortgage and the bills must be paid. You still need to put food on the...
03/09/2009
Take-out food still requires proper handling
STILLWATER, Okla. It is no secret that families are busier than ever. Between soccer practice, Girl Scouts, PTA or school sports, sitting down to eat together as a family can be hard to do.
03/09/2009
Senate Approves Measure Allowing Soldiers More Time to Vote
The State Senate approved Senate Bill 718 Monday to make voting easier for military personnel who are not registered to vote and return from overseas service after the registration deadline. The House is the next stop for the measure by Sen. Don Barrington.
"Oklahoma...