Bill to Ban Cell Phones from Prisons Approved in Senate
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved legislation Wednesday to help make Oklahoma's prisons safer. Sen. Don Barrington is author of Senate Bill 1064 which would ban cell phones and any other electronic devices capable of sending or receiving any electronic communication...
02/19/2009
Coffee Appoints Ethics Commissioner
President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee announced Thursday that he is appointing Bob McKinney as a new Ethics Commissioner.
McKinney and his wife Marguerite have been married for 21 years and have three sons. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in...
Senate Committee Approves Measure to Lower Legal Limit for Boating Under the Influence
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved legislation that would lower the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for the offense of boating under the influence from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent.
Senate Bill 902 by Sen. Bill Brown would also prevent...
02/19/2009
Senate Committee Votes to Keep Sex Offenders Out of Ice Cream Trucks
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday voted in favor of legislation that would prohibit convicted sex offenders from operating ice cream trucks.
Senate Bill 1147 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm would criminalize the operation of an ice cream truck by a sex offender and...
02/19/2009
Child Endangerment Bill Heads to Senate
Sen. Mary Easley has authored legislation amending the definition of child endangerment to include parents or guardians knowingly letting their children ride in vehicles operated by people who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The Senate Appropriations Committee...
02/19/2009
Bill to Increase Income Level for OHLAP Approved in Committee
More of Oklahoma's students could have the opportunity to pursue a higher education thanks to a measure approved Wednesday by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Sen. Mary Easley is author of Senate Bill 471 which would increase the income eligibility level for the Oklahoma...
02/18/2009
Oklahoma Sustainability Conference to be held March 20-21
Green cities, green lifestyles and ways to get involved among the topics of discussion
How to live an eco-friendly life, reduce consumption, increase profits and preserve the environment locally and nationally will be among the many discussion topics at the 8th annual...
Pesticide disposal offered in Bryan, Ottawa and Garfield counties
STILLWATER, Okla. Oklahoma agricultural producers, greenhouse and nursery operators, certified applicators, homeowners and pesticide dealers can get rid of unwanted pesticides at three locations in March.
02/18/2009
DASNR's Larry Sanders honored for lifetime achievement
STILLWATER, Okla. Oklahoma State University's Larry Sanders has received one of the Southern Agricultural Economics Association's most prestigious honors, its Lifetime Achievement Award.
Bill to Require Full Disclosure of Adoption Fees Heads to Full Senate
A measure to create more uniformity in adoptions and ensure full disclosure of fees has cleared its first major hurdle in the Senate. Senate Bill 1029, by Sen. Steve Russell, was approved by the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Russell, R-Oklahoma City, said that as an adoptive...
02/18/2009
Senator Nichols Wins Passage of Bill to Expand DNA Database
Expanding the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation's (OSBI) DNA database could help solve some of the most horrific crimes committed?that's according to State Sen. Jonathan Nichols, author of Senate Bill 1102. The measure would add a number of misdemeanor crimes to the...
02/18/2009
Capitol Centennial Commemoration and Preservation Act Headed to Full Senate
The Oklahoma State Capitol is quickly approaching the centennial of its official opening in 1917. To help commemorate the centennial and ensure the building is ready for its next century, State Sen. Harry Coates has authored Senate Bill 482. Rep. Liebmann will co-author the...
02/18/2009
Senator Sparks Authors Bill to Cut Taxes For Students
College and Career Tech Students Would Benefit
Senator John Sparks (D-Norman) has filed a measure intended to eliminate the state income taxes paid by full time Higher Education and Career Technology students.
"We need to do all we can for students who are struggling to...
02/17/2009
Governor Declares Communities Of Excellence Day
February 17, 2009 -- Governor Brad Henry has declared March 12 as Communities of Excellence Day in Oklahoma. To help promote community development, particularly in rural areas of the state, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the Oklahoma Community Institute are sponsoring...
02/17/2009
City of Nicoma Park Launches Online Bill Pay
Residents and Businesses Can Now Conveniently Pay Select Bills Online at www.nicomapark.net
City of Nicoma Park, Oklahoma, residents and businesses can now make secure payments online for utility bills and citations. Nicoma Park's online bill pay system is located at...
02/17/2009
Hilton wins young animal scientist award
STILLWATER, Okla. Gretchen Hilton recently received the Southern Section of the American Society of Animal Science Young Animal Science Award in Education at the annual meeting in Atlanta, Ga.