Posts Tagged ‘Oklahoma’
Rainy Day Funds tough to use in some states
Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 March 2011 01:37 Written by rslcpol Friday, 11 March 2011 01:05
From NewsTribune.com:
While budget deficits threaten to cripple government services across the country, a handful of states with billions of dollars socked away in “rainy day” funds for troubled financial times are discovering they can’t use that money to offset their cuts.
Amid the worst financial crisis facing states in decades, stringent rules governing the use of reserve funds have tied the hands of lawmakers in nearly a dozen states even as they consider raising taxes, slashing health and social services and shuttering education programs.
About three-fourths of states have used rainy day funds in the past three years to alleviate budget cuts, but some have had difficulty accessing the money or have shied away from doing so. They would have to repay it quickly or were worried it would hurt their bond ratings.
Tags: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Neveda, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma | Posted under State Legislature News | No Comments
EPA’s Decision could cost Oklahoma
Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 March 2011 03:03 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 8 March 2011 02:42
From NewsOn6.com:
A decision by the EPA could end up costing Oklahomans a lot of money. The EPA has rejected part of Oklahoma’s plan to clean up the air.
OG&E officials told the Oklahoma Impact Team during an investigation last year that to make the kinds of changes the federal government proposed Monday, it could increase customer’s electric bills by 20 percent.
A year ago the state presented it’s plan to reduce pollution in the state, and specifically return the Wichita mountains to it’s “natural state.”
Tags: Oklahoma | Posted under Attorney General News, State Legislature News | No Comments
OK AG Puts EPA on Notice
Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 March 2011 03:03 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 8 March 2011 02:23
From Attorney General Scott Pruitt:
Attorney General E. Scott Pruitt, while at a National Attorneys General Summit in Washington D.C., today responded to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement they will reject Oklahoma’s State Implementation Plan, crafted to address the EPA rules on Regional Haze.
“The State Implementation Plan was a thoughtful and well-crafted plan that will achieve greater visibility within the timeline than was mandated by the Regional Haze rule,” said Pruitt.
“The action taken today by the EPA inappropriately usurps the state’s authority to dictate our own energy and environmental policies. The appropriate stakeholders to address Oklahoma’s energy and environmental needs are Oklahoma’s citizens, energy producers, industry consumers and policymakers.
“Let the EPA be put on notice, as Attorney General, I plan to do all that I can to protect and preserve the state’s authority and responsibility under the Clean Air Act to craft and implement solutions for our state,” said Pruitt.
Tags: Oklahoma | Posted under Attorney General News | No Comments
OK: Former State Senator picked for Secretary of State
Last Updated on Wednesday, 5 January 2011 02:53 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 5 January 2011 02:53
Former Senate President Pro Tem gets the nod.
From NewsOK:
The immediate past leader of the state Senate will be Oklahoma’s next secretary of state.
Glenn Coffee’s leadership and experience as a legislator will go a long way in helping our team be successful and I’m proud to have him serve in my Cabinet”
Republican Gov.-elect Mary Fallin announced Tuesday that she has selected former Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee to serve in the post. Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, could not seek re-election because of legislative term limits. He was first elected in 1998 and served the maximum 12 years.
Coffee was the first Republican to lead the Senate when the GOP gained control of the chamber for the first time after the 2008 elections. Since mid-November, Coffee has served as co-chairman of Fallin’s transition team. Coffee was paid by the committee that is funding the transition and with funds that will be raised from the inaugural ball, a Fallin spokesman said.
The state constitution prohibits a legislator from working for a state agency within two years of leaving office unless the salary comes from private or federal funds.
Tags: Oklahoma | Posted under Secretaries of State | No Comments
New Oklahoma House Speaker Ready to Lead
Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 November 2010 02:38 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 23 November 2010 02:38
The next House Speaker Kris Steele won’t be following the Washington DC model.
He helped bring credibility back to the speaker’s office after the short tenure of Lance Cargill, whose ambition was evident from the start and, for many, was off-putting. Tax troubles ultimately short-circuited Cargill’s speakership shortly before the 2008 session, but his fundraising practices and other issues contributed to his fall.
Benge brought valuable experience on the fiscal side, having served as chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee for three sessions before becoming speaker. He also made it known right away that he would entertain Democrats’ ideas — something that had not happened much during the first three years of GOP control in the House.
“I always felt like he had an open door,” said Rep. Danny Morgan, D-Prague, leader of House Democrats during Benge’s time as speaker. “If you had an issue, you could certainly request time to visit with him about it.”
Steele, R-Shawnee, who will have an even greater GOP majority, has indicated he will give Democrats a fair shake and he should. Lack of respect for the other side is one of the real problems today in Washington, D.C. A little civility and cooperation can go a long way, particularly given the fiscal challenges that continue in our state.
Tags: Oklahoma | Posted under State Legislature News | No Comments
VA AG Campaigns in Oklahoma for Republican AG Candidate
Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 October 2010 12:46 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 26 October 2010 12:46
From KOSU:
The Republican candidate for Attorney General in Oklahoma calls on the Attorney General of Virginia to help in his campaign.
Former State Senator Scott Pruitt held a press conference on Monday to bring forth Virginia Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli who is currently suing the federal government over health care legislation passed in the spring.
Cuccinelli says if he’s successful then it means the entire bill will be stopped.
“If we prevail, if any of the states prevail on the individual mandate, we have asked the court to strike the entire bill to enjoin the entire bill.”
Pruitt has repeatedly promised to join in a lawsuit if elected, but he says it’s unclear whether he will be joining the one in Virginia.
Tags: Oklahoma, Virginia | Posted under Attorney General News | No Comments
Democrat DA Defends Republican who was target of Attack Ad
Last Updated on Monday, 18 October 2010 02:06 Written by rslcpol Monday, 18 October 2010 02:06
From kswo.com:
A Democratic district attorney is defending a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor who was the target of an attack ad that links him to a political corruption probe.
Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said Monday the allegations in the ad are “completely false and without any basis in fact.”
Tags: Oklahoma | Posted under Dems Behaving Badly, Lieutenant Governor News | No Comments
OK AG Candidates have Different Agendas
Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 10:36 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 21 September 2010 01:11
From The Dolan Company:
For Scott Pruitt, the race for attorney general is all about freedom.
Pruitt, a former Republican state senator, has focused his race for the state’s top attorney on fighting the administration of President Barack Obama and protecting Oklahomans from what Pruitt describes as an oppressive federal government.
Democrat Jim Priest has a different approach.
Priest, an Oklahoma City attorney, compares his campaign to the longest job interview of his life. He said the most important aspect of the campaign is choosing an attorney general who is competent and professional.
The differences between the two men are bold and stark.
Pruitt, a co-owner of the Oklahoma City RedHawks baseball team, first ran for the state Senate in 1998.
During his first term, Pruitt sought the Republican nomination for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District after former professional football player Steve Largent retired. Defeated in the attempt, Pruitt was re-elected without opposition in 2002.
Tags: Oklahoma | Posted under Attorney General News | No Comments
OK: Incoming House Speaker names Redistricting Committee
Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 11:36 Written by rslcpol Friday, 13 August 2010 01:30
From kfor.com:
Oklahoma’s incoming House speaker has named a steering committee that will oversee the redrawing of state and federal legislative boundaries after the 2010 U.S. census.
House Speaker-designate Kris Steele named five Republicans and three Democrats to the panel. Each member is from a different region of the state.
Tags: Oklahoma | Posted under State Legislature News | No Comments
OK: Longtime Attorney General has run his last Race
Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 11:48 Written by rslcpol Thursday, 29 July 2010 01:30
From krmg.com:
Longtime Attorney General Drew Edmondson says his unsuccessful race for the Democratic nomination for governor of Oklahoma is his last.
A day after narrowly losing the primary election to Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, Edmondson said Wednesday he plans to retire from elective politics. Edmondson says he has no interest in running for the U.S. Senate or another other position.
But the 63-year-old attorney general says he plans to stay involved by supporting candidates in other political races. He has already offered to help Askins in the general election.
Tags: Oklahoma | Posted under Attorney General News | No Comments