Political Pulse

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A group of rural Republican lawmakers are
vowing to oppose forced school consolidations and protect
agriculture-related tax exemptions during the 2010 legislative
session that begins Monday.
About a dozen members of the Senate Republican Rural Caucus
outlined their legislative goals Wednesday during a news conference
at the state Capitol.
Other priorities of the caucus include directing more motor
vehicle taxes and fees for county road and bridge maintenance,
enhancing access to ambulance and fire services in rural Oklahoma,
and protecting property rights.
Oklahoma has 532 school districts across the state, including
dozens in rural areas with fewer than 100 students.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Supreme Court has rejected a
lawsuit by Republican legislative leaders that challenged Gov. Brad
Henry’s authority to veto specific sections of legislation.
In a 5-4 ruling, the state’s highest court ruled Tuesday that
Henry may use the line-item veto when reviewing legislation that
adds conditions or restrictions to previously appropriated funds.
Republican legislative leaders filed two lawsuits asking the
Supreme Court to decide whether the Democratic governor has the
authority to veto certain sections of bills that affect agency
budgets.
Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, has said
he believes Henry overstepped his authority in 2008 when he used
line-item vetoes on two bills. The measures set out budget
limitations for the state Ethics Commission and the Department of
Corrections.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry is urging state lawmakers
to expand Oklahoma’s constitutional Rainy Day fund.
Henry said Tuesday he plans to ask the Legislature to help him
remove a cap on the fund so more money can be deposited for times
of revenue shortfalls.
The governor made the same proposal in 2006, but lawmakers
rejected it. If voters had approved the measure, the fund would
contain almost $900 million today. Instead, it contains about $600
million.
The Oklahoma Constitution limits the fund to 10 percent of
general revenue receipts. Henry wants that raised to 15 percent.
Officials have declared a revenue shortfall of more than $729
million for the fiscal year that ends June 30 and a revenue
estimate for next year that is $1.3 billion less than the current
one.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett has been
invited by First Lady Michelle Obama to the president’s State of
the Union Address Wednesday night as part of an effort to highlight
Cornett’s anti-obesity initiative.
Cornett said Tuesday the invitation was intended to spotlight
Oklahoma City’s “This City Is Going On A Diet!” Web site, which
encourages citizens to diet and exercise.
More than 40,000 citizens have lost more than 500,000 pounds
since the launch of the program in December 2007.
Cornett, a Republican, praised Michelle Obama for addressing
obesity in America, which he described as a “nonpartisan issue.”

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry and legislative leaders
have reached agreement on a plan to address the $1 billion
shortfall in the budget for the fiscal year that ends June 30.
Henry said Tuesday officials will use a combination of targeted
cuts and reserve funds to balance the budget. Monthly allocations
to state agencies will be cut 10 percent for the rest of fiscal
year to reflect slumping revenue collections.
Agency allocations were cut 5 percent in August but the
reductions were increased to 10 percent for December and January.
Education, health and public safety agencies will receive
additional appropriations to supplement their budgets and reduce
their share of the overall reduction.
Officials will use reserve dollars from the Rainy Day Fund and
the state stimulus account to help balance the budget.