Oklahoma Government News

A list of some of the state tax exemptions, credits and deductions approved by lawmakers and the Oklahoma Tax Commission's estimate of their cost: -Livestock purchased outside Oklahoma and brought into the state for feeding or breeding purposes, and which is later resold, $48 million.

Oklahoma gives away billions of dollars in tax revenue through hundreds of exemptions, credits and deductions that some lawmakers say the state may no longer be able to afford as it slips deeper into a revenue shortfall.

Higher education officials in the Sooner State are seeking more money. The governing body of Oklahoma's 25 colleges and universities approved a budget request on Tuesday of nearly $1.1 billion for the next fiscal year.

Over the past few months I've visited with thousands of Oklahomans who are concerned about how the health care reform bills moving through Congress will affect their lives and their families' lives.

Oklahoma family members of a 22-year-old soldier stationed at Fort Hood have been notified that he was one of the 13 people killed when officials said an Army psychiatrist went on a shooting rampage at the Texas base.

The Internal Revenue Service is looking for hundreds of people in Oklahoma, but it has some good news for them.

Gov. Brad Henry is proclaiming 2010 as the Year of the Vietnam Veteran. Oklahomans will observe Veterans Day on Wednesday and Henry says it is important to honor the sacrifices made by all veterans.

Hundreds of seniors waved empty paper plates Wednesday to protest cutbacks in nutrition programs for the elderly that could eliminate thousands of meals for some of Oklahoma's most vulnerable citizens.

State prison officials have asked for about 15,000 doses of swine flu vaccine, but state health officials say none has been provided and there are no plans to do so yet.

Dozens of seniors are expected at the state Capitol today as they work to reverse cuts to nutrition programs for the elderly.

In June, state officials created a statewide fraud hotline to give law enforcement another way to prevent fraud, abuse, or waste of stimulus money.

OKLAHOMA CITY a ' Attorney General Drew Edmondson wants the state tobacco trust's board of directors to help fund a cancer research and treatment center at the University of Oklahoma.

Almost 200 pieces of legislation passed by the Oklahoma Legislature last spring becn law Sunday, including measures that change the way Oklahomans file and litigate lawsuits, promote wind energy and make health care more available and affordable for the uninsured.

The law says tag agents and their employees must ask for the donation from anyone getting a driver's license, identification card, title or tag.

Oct. 29--Scientists at Oklahoma City biopharmaceutical company Pure Protein LLC have achieved a breakthrough that could have substantial applications for the $37 billion autoimmune disease market, transplantation, infectious diseases, cancer and other new disease targets, the company said.

The Department of Defense says an Air Force civilian from Oklahoma has died in Afghanistan.

1: a 'House Bill 2026: Expands the Insure Oklahoma health insurance premium assistance program by creating a core benefits package for young, healthy Oklahomans to purchase inexpensive insurance policies and an insurance hub to help match Oklahomans to private insurance plans that fit their needs.

State Treasurer Scott Meacham said Friday that he will not run for another term or seek any other elective office.

OKLAHOMA CITY Teenagers may think it's harmless, but sending sexually explicit pictures and messages over cell phones can lead to emotional problems and criminal charges that will affect them for the rest of their lives, criminal justice officials said Thursday.

The Oklahoma Tax Commission is planning to appeal to the state Supreme Court a ruling on tax credits for electric vehicles that it says could cost the state more than $40 million.