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June 18, 2013
5-day Forecast Tulsa World  
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Plan for new Tulsa park to be unveiled

The final plan for A Gathering Place for Tulsa park along Riverside Drive will be unveiled Tuesday - a moment officials at the George Kaiser Family Foundation have been anxious to see come for nearly seven years.

Find stories, interviews and photos about the upcoming Tulsa park designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh and his team of architects.

 
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Down 3-2, LeBron, Heat find themselves in familiar spot against Spurs

LeBron James has been here before, with dire results.

 
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Australian aerospace supplier expanding to Grove

“Ferra chose to expand to Oklahoma because its central location enables us to easily provide service to our customer base on both coasts and international markets, said Ferra Engineering CEO Mark Sherrer in a statement Tuesday.

 
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VIDEO: The Swon Brothers take 3rd place in 'The Voice' finale

The brothers from Muskogee made it further than any other duo on the four seasons of the NBC reality singing competition but lost out to fellow Team Blake artist Danielle Bradbery.

 
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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
Oklahoma Dept. of Correction director submits resignation

Oklahoma Dept. of Correction director submits resignation   6/18/2013

Department of Corrections Director Justin Jones is resigning effective Oct. 1.

Fallin asks Obama administration to reconsider Insure Oklahoma decision   6/13/2013

“We are trying to find an Oklahoma solution to help those that are uninsured and can’t afford insurance,” Fallin said.

Fallin to tour Moore for update on cleanup effort   6/12/2013

The May 20 twister tore across the city, killing 24 and injuring hundreds.
Gov. Fallin and tribal leaders meet to discuss rules for tribal smoke shops

Gov. Fallin and tribal leaders meet to discuss rules for tribal smoke shops   6/12/2013

State and tribal government representatives are one step closer to renegotiating tobacco compacts after a Tuesday meeting at the River Spirit Event Center between Gov. Mary Fallin and leaders from most of Oklahoma's 39 federally recognized tribes.
General revenue collections for Oklahoma rise in May

General revenue collections for Oklahoma rise in May   6/12/2013

General revenue fund collections were up 5.8 percent in May over the previous year, according a report released Tuesday.

Mandatory supervision not being required despite new law   6/11/2013

'I would just reiterate that part of the technical assistance money the governor rejected was intended to train our judges and attorneys and prosecutors and the various entities within the sentencing phase of our criminal justice system,' former Oklahoma House Speaker Kris Steele, R-Shawnee said. 'To my knowledge, that has not happened.'

Fallin to lead Oklahoma delegation to Paris Air Show   6/11/2013

Gov. Mary Fallin next week will lead a delegation to the Paris Air Show, where more than 55 companies with an Oklahoma presence will exhibit.

Oklahoma governor has plan for pension system changes   6/10/2013

Oklahoma Treasurer Ken Miller defends Gov. Mary Fallin's veto this year of a pension bill that the governor says was merely window dressing.

Capitol Report: Sunday Morning Quarterback   6/9/2013

Fallin says she hasn't made up her mind, but she's ready to discuss a state requirement for homes, businesses, schools and other public buildings to have safe rooms or tornado shelters.

Capitol Report: Governor, Speaker at odds - or is it war?   6/9/2013

Gov. Mary Fallin vetoed 16 pieces of legislation this year, but none was more interesting than her rejection of House Bill 1917, which looks very much like a shot across the bow of Speaker of the House T.W. Shannon.
Oklahoma House to start its remodeling projects soon

Oklahoma House to start its remodeling projects soon   6/8/2013

'While improvements I am sure are important, I still contend that renovating offices when we are struggling to fund common education and other important programs in the state of Oklahoma seems to be the wrong priority at this time,' said House Minority Leader Scott Inman, D-Del City.
Judicial term limits to be studied by Oklahoma House

Judicial term limits to be studied by Oklahoma House   6/8/2013

As lawmakers, it is essential that we monitor the processes of government and ensure a balance of power among the three branches,' State House Speaker T.W. Shannon, said in a news release.

House to study term limits for appeals judges   6/7/2013

The appellate judges serve six years. They are subject to a nonpartisan retention ballot.

Gov. Fallin vetoes Tax Commission bill   6/7/2013

Gov. Mary Fallin on Thursday vetoed a measure that would have transferred some responsibilities from the Oklahoma Tax Commission to Oklahoma State University.

Report: Thousands of uninsured Oklahomans will be left out of 'Obamacare' programs   6/6/2013

In Oklahoma, the Jan. 1 implementation of the law will reduce the number of uninsured people from most recent estimates of 636,000 uninsured, the report shows.

Fallin vetoes last bill on her desk over spending   6/6/2013

Gov. Fallin said that it diverts more than half of the $8 million it allocates to 'unrelated projects.'

Legal challenge filed to tax cut/Capitol repairs bill   6/6/2013

A Supreme Court referee is set to hear oral arguments in the case on July 9.
Oklahoma tax revenue in May up nearly 3 percent from year ago

Oklahoma tax revenue in May up nearly 3 percent from year ago   6/6/2013

Gross state revenue collections in May were 2.9 percent above the previous year, state Treasurer Ken Miller said Wednesday.

Treasurer: Oklahoma revenue collections keep growing   6/5/2013

'Our economic engine continues to improve,' Miller said.

Oklahoma agency launches state employee pay study   6/5/2013

State workers have not received an across-the-board pay raise in seven years.

State supreme court invalidates '09 lawsuit reform law, calls it logrolling   6/5/2013

The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday invalidated a highly touted lawsuit reform law passed in 2009, calling it logrolling.
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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.
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