Oklahoma on Monday May 05, 2008

Archive of Oklahoma on Monday May 05, 2008

Oh say, is that banner made in the U.S.A.?
By Kim Mendelsohn, Special to Stateline.org
Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state’s new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state.
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Proposed bill would give tire makers a second set of bonds
By Jeff Packham, The Journal Record
The state Capitol could prove to be the place where the rubber meets the road. At least that's how the manufacturing industry views a proposal to allow for a second bond issuance for Oklahoma tire manufacturers.
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Michelin nears completion of $200 million investment project
By Sheila Robinson, The Daily Ardmoreite (Ardmore)
Michelin's Ardmore plant is nearing the finish line of its $200 million investment project that began in late 2002. The company has already spent $187 million for upgrades and will wrap up the rest by the end of October.
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State ice storm costs tallied
By Staff, The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) (registration)
TULSA, Okla. - The cost of damage to Oklahoma homes, businesses and infrastructure from December's historic ice storm is approaching $180 million, state officials said.
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Official says Oklahoma's addiction treatment services fail to meet needs
By Steve Biehn, The Daily Ardmoreite (Ardmore)
Terri White, commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, said Friday that although the state was gradually increasing its level of services to those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, many adults and adolescents are still not receiving timely or adequate treatment.
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Governor to decide killer's fate
By Julie Bisbee, The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) (registration)
TULSA, Okla. - A woman sentenced to life in prison for beating her husband to death with the help of a teenage accomplice could be released if the governor approves a recommendation from the pardon and parole board.
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Extortion claims aired in judge case
By Tony Thornton and Larry Levy, The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) (registration)
TULSA, Okla. - If a special prosecutor used extortion in hopes of forcing a Tulsa judge to resign, the prosecutor should face criminal charges, an expert on legal ethics says.
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Death row inmate deemed sane by Pittsburg County jury
By The Associated Press, The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) (registration)
McALESTER, Okla. - A Pittsburg County jury has determined that a death row inmate is sane enough to be executed, but it's uncertain when the punishment will be carried out.
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Cinco de Mayo festival celebrates Mexican heritage in OKC
By Jennifer Palmer, The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) (registration)
For Carlos and Patricia Tello, Sunday's Cinco de Mayo festival was an opportunity to celebrate their heritage.
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Nursing home sex harassment case settled
By Marie Price, The Journal Record
Wildwood Care Center and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have settled a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former employee of the Tulsa nursing home, EEOC officials announced Friday.
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Enduring cancer without coverage
By Christine Metz, The Lawrence Journal-World
When Tracie Revis started her fight against cancer more than two years ago, she didn't expect to take on a health care system ill-equipped to handle an uninsured 20-something.
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Fairness of death-penalty panels questioned
By John Gramlich, Stateline.org Staff Writer
Death-penalty supporters are raising questions about the fairness of state commissions charged with studying how capital punishment is carried out in Maryland and Tennessee, claiming the panels will issue reports that ignore their views.
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WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
By Pauline Vu, Stateline.org Staff Writer
An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in.
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Parents turn to states for autism help
By Daniel C. Vock, Stateline.org Staff Writer
(UPDATED 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday May 1) One of the toughest problems facing autism patients, their families and policymakers is paying for treatment. Families are increasingly relying on states to help them cope with the financial, medical and educational needs.

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With justices' OK, voter ID moves ahead
By Daniel C. Vock and John Gramlich, Stateline.org Staff Writers
A decision Monday (April 28) by the U.S. Supreme Court to let Indiana demand photo identification from voters paves the way for other states to do the same during November’s presidential election, experts say.
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Legislators prod Congress on Medicaid, Real ID
By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer
As some states tumble into what they fear is a recession, state lawmakers from across the country are pushing Congress for relief from impending federal rules that would force states to pick up more Medicaid costs and spend billions to make drivers’ licenses more secure.
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More states offer choice in long-term care
By Christine Vestal, Stateline.org Staff Writer
More states are poised to offer a successful alternative to traditional Medicaid plans that allows elders and the disabled to avoid moving to a nursing facility by hiring friends, neighbors or family members to look after them in their own homes.
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Credit crunch hits states' college loans
By Pauline Vu, Stateline.org Staff Writer

(Updated 11:55 a.m. EDT, April 23, 2008)

The credit crisis has led some state lending agencies to suspend their federal and private student loan programs, forcing thousands of students to search elsewhere for money to pay for college.

'Don't forget us,' PA candidates tell voters
By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer
As Pennsylvanians prepare to go to the polls tomorrow to cast ballots in the April 22 presidential primary, experts wonder how the surge in registered voters will affect little-noticed state legislative races, particularly those in the House, where Democrats cling to a one-seat majority.
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Will Democrats grow legislative edge in '08?
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

For the past several election cycles, the Democrats have been on a roll in legislative elections. This year, the party is well-positioned to hold its majority of chambers — but greatly expanding Democratic control may not be in the cards.

'Purple' states turn a little more 'blue'
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

The national polls point to a tight presidential race in November. But Democrats have a bit more to cheer about than Republicans do, regardless of who wins the Democratic primary, according to the latest state-by-state electoral-vote projections by “Out There.”
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Governors pitch ambitious programs
By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer

Billion-dollar deficits in California, New York and Arizona haven’t stopped governors there and elsewhere from proposing big-ticket items for 2008. Stateline.org looks at proposals from governors’ 2008 "state of the state" speeches and provides an exclusive summary of all the addresses so far.

Partisan mix in R.I., Conn. poses challenges
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

The blue states of Connecticut and Rhode Island have had a long tradition of electing Republican governors. But in both states, the combination has led at times to difficult — even chaotic — policymaking.
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Seeds of social issues dot 2008 elections
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

With a sagging economy and a divisive war occupying Americans’ minds, will social issues be overshadowed in state elections in 2008?
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Summary of the State of the State Address

As Oklahoma celebrates its Centennial year, Gov. Brad Henry (D) laid out his proposals to boost public education by adding five days to the school year, raising teacher pay and adding graduation coaches to lower high school dropout rates.
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Commentary: Govs beat White House hopefuls as agents of change
By Gene Gibbons, Stateline.org Executive Editor

This column was published simultaneously by The Politico.

It took a while for most of the presidential candidates to figure out that voters want “change” and action on a variety of issues that affect their lives. They might have gotten it sooner if they had noticed the way that many states, led by innovative governors, are moving forward in areas like health care, immigration and global warming.
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Iraq casts shadow on 2008 state races
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

Not a single governor or state legislator wields authority over the conduct of the Iraq War, yet a broad range of party strategists and political analysts agree that state races in 2008 will be shaped, mostly indirectly, by public attitudes towards that conflict. Unless there’s a sea change in public opinion, that’s bad news for Republicans.
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WORTH NOTING: Illinois gov runs up travel tab
By Christine Vestal, Stateline.org Staff Writer
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s commuting costs start to add up. South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds settles a dispute with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a cranky game warden. California corrections officials install “flushometers” to control wasteful toilet flushing in prisons. In case you missed any of those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.
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