To help protect college students from being hit with a significant increase in tuition during one school year, state Rep. Steve Kouplen has filed legislation to limit the amount colleges and universities can increase college tuition.
House Bill 2792, by Kouplen, would limit any annual increase to college tuition and mandatory fees to the rate of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the most recent complete year, as determined by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. read more…
The extra pay received by veterans and active duty military service members as a result of serving under dangerous conditions will be exempt from the income limitations of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program under a bill proposed by State Rep. Neil Brannon last week.
“I believe that the brave men and women who put their lives in serious jeopardy to defend our nation should be rewarded, rather than penalized for their effort, and exempting hazard pay from the OHLAP income calculations is one way we can show our appreciation,” said Rep. Brannon, D-Arkoma. read more…
Most Oklahomans don’t like it when a company takes money from the state in exchange for creating jobs, then shuts down its operations and sends our jobs out of the country once the free ride is over. Tulsa legislator Rep. Eric Proctor is trying to stop it from happening with HB 2617, the Oklahoma Jobs Protection Act.
Under its provisions, companies which accept tax incentives or any other state funds tied to job creation would have to pay that money back if they later eliminate Oklahoma jobs while creating new jobs in other countries. Rep. Proctor believes it is an issue of accountability.
“We have a moral obligation as legislators to protect Oklahoma families and jobs, and to make sure their tax dollars are not just given away,” said Rep. Proctor. read more…
Republicans join Democrats to kill GOP legislator’s call to increase debt
A Republican-authored bill that called for the issuance of $30 million in bonds to fund the Department of Central Services was defeated in committee Monday after several Republicans joined Democrats who opposed the idea of going into debt to meet operating expenses.
“This proposal would have eventually cost taxpayers $40 million for $30 million worth of work that should be funded from the general fund,” commented State Rep. Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa. “This is a good example of why we need to open up the budget process to all 149 members, and not limit it to just a select few. The key issue here is fiscal responsibility, and irresponsible ideas such as this one are far more likely to get through when just a handful of people are examining them. This is why we need more sunshine, more openness, throughout the budgetary process.”
Rep. Proctor and Democratic Floor Leader Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah, were joined by Republican Rep. Mike Reynolds in arguing against the bill when it was heard in the General Government and Transportation Committee Monday morning. All but two Republicans ultimately voted against the bill, HB2614, which failed 11-2.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation that would help curb high dropout rates in Oklahoma was passed unanimously by the House Common Education Committee today. House Bill 2863, by state Rep. Samson Buck, would require schools to warn the parents of students grade fifth through seventh on the early warning signs that a student may eventually drop out, why middle school grades are so important to the students’ eventual graduation, and how to intervene. “Education is a great equalizer,” Buck, D-House District 49, said. “It’s a great way to get out of a recession. That’s why I am hoping this legislation will continue to find support as it moves through the House.” Buck noted that high school dropouts are more likely to be incarcerated, unemployed and on welfare. “Graduation rates are far below what they should be in Oklahoma,” Buck said. “Improving these rates is part of the House Democrats agenda and my legislation has the support of the full caucus. It also seems to be receiving a great deal of bipartisan support.” The measure will not impact the state budget, an important point in the current economic downturn, Buck said. “In this year especially, it is important to be creative in how we address the state’s problems and I am proud to contribute,” Buck said. House Bill 2863 will be heard next on the House floor.
OKLAHOMA CITY (February 3, 2010) This session a lawmaker has introduced legislation to cover uninsured Oklahoma veterans who fall through the cracks of eligibility for federal programs.
House Bill 2338 by Representative Dennis Bailey, D-Broken Bow, will provide medical coverage to our military men and women who cannot afford private insurance but are considered not poor enough or fully disabled to qualify for Veterans Affairs coverage.
“Every November we set aside a day to honor those who have made sacrifices for state and country”, said Rep. Bailey. “Given this recognition, it is troubling that many of our veterans are without the health care they need.”
“I hope to open the doors to medical care for our uninsured veterans by having the state’s Insure Oklahoma program expand access to care for those denied at the federal level.”
HB 2338 amends the Oklahoma Medicaid Program Reform Act of 2003 by requiring the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to add veterans who are not on active duty and who have not been dishonorably discharged from service to the state premium assistance program. Eligible veterans must be a resident of the state, be between 19 and 64 years of age, and be uninsured for at least 6 months. Furthermore, the legislation provides that the veterans cannot be eligible for medical assistance through the state Medicaid program and are not eligible for health care benefits through the federal Veterans Health Administration. Lastly, the bill requires the veterans to meet certain income eligibility tests, which combine both the federal Veterans Health Administration means test income threshold and the federal poverty level.
This measure mirrors the Veterans Care program in Illinois, which serves veterans who have limited incomes.
If passed into law, uninsured veterans will pay a monthly premium that will not exceed 4% of their annual income. They will have access to medical office visits, emergency care, inpatient and outpatient hospital benefits, pharmacy, X-rays and maternity care.
“It is easy to take for granted the very people who most deserve our gratitude. I know I have the support of my fellow Democrats on this measure, and I hope to receive support from my colleagues across the aisle. We should honor the sacrifices made by our veterans who served our state with distinction, but were denied health care upon their discharge.”
House Bill 2338 awaits a hearing in the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Health and Social Services.
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Democrats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives are calling for swift action on measures to implement commons sense reforms in education, insurance, and public safety in the 2010 Legislative Agenda announced this week.
The agenda highlights legislation offered by various Democratic House members in the areas of the budget and economic development, education, insurance reform, public safety, consumer protection and open government. read more…
This session, the Oklahoma Legislature will consider a bill authored by Rep. Anastasia Pittman, D-Oklahoma City, which targets scam artists who victimize homeowners seeking to refinance their homes.
Often, the targeted homeowners are in foreclosure or near to it, after variable rate mortgage payments rocket past their ability to pay. Most such mortgages begin at an affordable rate, but are adjusted upward with the passage of time or changes in industry-wide interest rates, sometimes reaching outrageous levels far beyond average homeowners’ means. read more…
OKLAHOMA CITY (January 21, 2010) An executive order banning the practice of texting while driving in state-owned vehicles earned applause from both Democrats and Republicans in the Oklahoma House of Representatives today.
“It’s great to see that the Governor understands the gravity of this issue,” commented Democratic Leader Danny Morgan, D-Prague. “His actions today will undoubtedly save lives in the future.” read more…
Republicans in the Oklahoma House of Representatives today announced a legislative agenda for 2010 that highlighted their role as the party of double standards, while offering no new ideas on tackling the biggest problem facing the Oklahoma Legislature this year, the $1.3 billion budget shortfall.
“I was shocked that the House Republicans could spend the better part of an hour talking about what they want to do this session without even mentioning our current fiscal crisis,” commented Democratic Leader Danny Morgan, D-Prague, after the press conference announcing the House GOP agenda. read more…
