Today's headlines | E-edition | Subscribe
Contact Us | Sign In
September 18, 2013
5-day Forecast Tulsa World  
NEWS SECTIONS
 
COMMUNITIES

Oklahoma National Guard defies Pentagon on same-sex benefit requests

In a policy reversal, the Oklahoma National Guard will no longer process benefit requests from same-sex couples after being notified by Gov. Mary Fallin's office that doing so violates state law banning gay marriage.

 
COLUMNISTS
 
CONTINUING COVERAGE
 
NEWS BLOGS
COLLEGE SECTIONS
 
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
 
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
 
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
 
SPORTS TV/RADIO SCHEDULE

OSSAA critics testify before legislative panel

The interim study, requested by Rep. Bobby Cleveland, R-Norman, is the first among three scheduled. Other meetings are set for Sept. 24 and Oct. 3.

 
PRO SECTIONS
 
OTHER SECTIONS
 
SPORTS BLOGS
BUSINESS SECTIONS
 
COLUMNS

Exporting from Tulsa area grows at fast pace

In just 12 years, natural gas plant builder Thomas Russell Co. grew from a Tulsa startup to a $750 million company.

 
BUSINESS BLOGS
 
SPECIAL REPORTS
OPINION SECTIONS
 
COLUMNS
 
EDITORIAL CARTOONS

Funding first step in justice initiative

The incarceration rate in Oklahoma is among the highest in the nation with approximately 26,000 people behind bars at any given time.

SCENE SECTIONS
 
COLUMNS
 
 
CONTINUING COVERAGE

Greek Festival organizers ready for hungry visitors

In the Greek culture, families generously share and celebrate food.

 
SCENE BLOGS
CLASSIFIEDS SECTIONS
 
SERVICE DIRECTORY
 
PETS
 
HOMES
 
AUTOS
 
OTHER VEHICLES
CONTINUING COVERAGE TOPICS

CONTINUING COVERAGE

Capitol Report

Overview: This site is home to all of the Tulsa World's reporting on the Oklahoma Legislature.

Capitol Bureau Chief Barbara Hoberock
Hoberock has covered the statehouse for 18 years, including four governors. She covers the legislature, state agencies, elections and appellate courts. She has 23 years of journalism experience. Hoberock was part of a team covering the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and the trials of Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols.

Senior Writer Wayne Greene
Greene has been covering Oklahoma news for 25 years, including four years in the Tulsa World State Capitol Bureau and 13 years as the World's city editor. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Oklahoma and has won many peer-judged awards as a reporter and editor.

Staff Writer Randy Krehbiel
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Krehbiel is in his fourth decade of reporting on his home state. He has been at the Tulsa World since 1979.
HEADLINES

Change in state lottery split again suggested   9/18/2013

Oklahoma Lottery Commission Executive Director Rollo Redburn on Tuesday sent up a trial balloon for lawmakers.
Tulsan reappointed to state regents board

Tulsan reappointed to state regents board   9/16/2013

Parker has served the past seven years on the regents board.
Petition planned for bond issue on Oklahoma school storm shelters

Petition planned for bond issue on Oklahoma school storm shelters   9/15/2013

Supporters of a ballot measure calling for a $500 million bond state issue for school storm shelters and security improvements plan to file the required initiative petition paperwork on Wednesday.
Report: Oklahoma leads nation in cuts to per-pupil spending

Report: Oklahoma leads nation in cuts to per-pupil spending   9/12/2013

All the state-by-state comparisons were made using inflation-adjusted dollar amounts and primary form of state aid to local schools.

Ten percent drop in Oklahoma revenue collections called an anomaly   9/11/2013

Unusually large income-tax refunds contributed to general revenue fund collections dropping 10 percent below last year's receipts in August, the Office of Management and Enterprise Services announced Tuesday.
Fallin signs 23 lawsuit reform bills into law

Fallin signs 23 lawsuit reform bills into law   9/11/2013

Gov. Mary Fallin on Tuesday signed 23 lawsuit reform bills into law.

Oklahoma Legislature passes 23 lawsuit reform bills to end weeklong special session   9/10/2013

The House took some persuading, and even then the Republican leadership and the Fallin administration didn't get exactly what they wanted, but a sheaf of 23 lawsuit reform bills went through the final stage of adoption by the Oklahoma Legislature on Monday to bring a weeklong special session to an end.

Oklahoma Gov. Fallin describes OSU allegations as 'disturbing'   9/10/2013

SI’s five-part series began Tuesday and OSU is expected to stage a press conference at some point to respond to the project.
Fallin signs 23 lawsuit-reform bills into law

Fallin signs 23 lawsuit-reform bills into law   9/10/2013

The bills focused on individual parts of a 2009 law that the state Supreme Court had thrown out.
Doak predicts increase in rates due to ACA

Doak predicts increase in rates due to ACA   9/10/2013

However it is unclear whether the 30 percent to 100 percent increases predicted by Doak’s office include substantial discounts for which many people will qualify under the law.

State treasurer to help OSU fans find unclaimed property   9/10/2013

Miller said his office is holding $500 million for 825,000 Oklahomans and he'd like to return it.
Norman minister: Ten Commandments monument breaches barrier

Norman minister: Ten Commandments monument breaches barrier   9/9/2013

A Baptist minister might seem like an unlikely opponent to a Ten Commandments monument on the state Capitol grounds.

State Senate passes certificate of merit measure   9/5/2013

The Oklahoma Supreme Court twice tossed out the requirement for medical malpractice cases and professional negligence cases, saying it was an illegal special law and created a barrier to the courthouse.

Oklahoma Democrat chairman says Brad Henry pondering race   9/5/2013

The Shawnee Democrat served two consecutive terms as Oklahoma's governor from 2002 to 2010.

Oklahoma senators return to missing Capitol offices   9/4/2013

Several House and Senate offices are being remodeled with $7 million the Legislature appropriated for Capitol upgrades and renovations.

Term limits cited by some in number of laws ruled unconstitutional   9/4/2013

Some statehouse observers blame the increased number of laws being found unconstitutional on a lack of institutional knowledge due to legislative term limits.
Bid to expand special session rebuffed

Bid to expand special session rebuffed   9/4/2013

House Republicans on Tuesday rebuffed minority party efforts to include pay increases for public safety employees, school shelters and Insure Oklahoma in a special session to deal with lawsuit reform.

Governor says lawsuit reform vital as lawmakers return to Capitol   9/3/2013

'We should be able to get this done quickly,' the governor said.

Views vary on motivation for special legislative session   9/3/2013

Opinions vary on the motivation for a special legislative session beginning Tuesday to revamp a lawsuit reform law that was found unconstitutional in June.

State lawmakers to address lawsuit reform law in special session   9/2/2013

Whether all the provisions of a nullified lawsuit reform law will be re- created during an upcoming special session of the Legislature remains to be determined.
Load More
BY THE NUMBERS
Partisan Control: There are 72 Republicans and 29 Democrats in the Oklahoma House. Republicans have had majority control of the House since 2004. There are 36 Republicans and 12 Democrats in the Oklahoma Senate. Republicans have had majority control of the Senate since 2008.



Gender: There are 85 men and 16 women in the Oklahoma House. Sixty-one of the men and 11 of the women are Republicans. There are 45 men and three women in the Oklahoma Senate. Thirty-five of the men and one of the women are Republicans.



Term limits

The terms of state House members are two years. The terms of state senators are four years.

The state Constitution limits lawmakers to no more than 12 years total service in the House and Senate.

Seven members of the House and four members of the Senate will reach their term limits at the end of the 2013-14 legislative session.

Rep. Don Armes, R-Faxon
Rep. Gus Blackwell, R-Laverne
Rep. Dale DeWitt, R-Braman
Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs
Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, D-Oklahoma City
Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City
Rep. John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow
Sen. Cliff Aldridge, R-Choctaw
Sen. Cliff Branan, R-Oklahoma City
Sen. Jerry Ellis, D-Valliant
Sen. Harry Coats, R-Seminole

Legislators who reached term limits in the 2011-12 session were:
Speaker of the House Kris Steele, R-Shawnee
Rep. Charles Key, R-Oklahoma City
Rep. Ron Peters, R-Tulsa
Rep. Paul Roan, D-Tishomingo
Rep. Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa
Rep. Purcy Walker, D-Elk City
Sen. Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman
Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah

Salaries



Lawmakers who live outside of the Oklahoma City metro receive $148 a day in per diem for each day the Legislature is in session. They also receive mileage reimbursement, a benefit allowance and retirement benefits. Legislators can opt out of the state health insurance program, but few have done so.

The calendar:

The first session of the 54th Oklahoma Legislature convenes at noon Feb. 4 with Gov. Mary Fallin’s State of the State address. Fallin also will present her proposed budget for the year.

The Legislature must adjourn by 5 p.m. May 30.
CONTINUING COVERAGE TOPICS
View Full Site

© 2013 Tulsa World. All rights reserved.