OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma lawmakers are considering an $8.50 increase in the driver's license renewal fee, along with several other fee hikes, as they grapple with an estimated $1.2 billion shortfall.

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Kevin Ward presented lawmakers on Monday with more than a dozen proposed fee hikes or new fees that would generate an estimated $32.8 million for the agency.

If approved by lawmakers, the driver's license renewal fee would jump from $21.50 to $30.

Ward presented the proposal to members of a joint House and Senate budget committee examining the impact of proposed budget cuts to public safety state agencies.

Without any new sources of revenue, lawmakers will be forced to implement cuts of nearly 10 percent across state agencies.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A showdown between Oklahoma's Democratic governor and the GOP-controlled Legislature is expected to play out this week after Henry vetoed two abortion bills.

Gov. Brad Henry vetoed both measures on Friday, and Republican leaders quickly vowed to attempt an override, which would be the first such attempt this year.

Henry vetoed one bill that would require women seeking an abortion to have an ultrasound exam and listen to a doctor describe the fetus. The other measure would prevent so-called ``wrongful-life'' lawsuits in cases where a parent might argue that a child with birth defects or other problems would have been better off aborted.

Although Republicans control both the House and Senate, they would need Democratic support to override Henry's veto.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok. - Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry has designated that the American flag and the Oklahoma flag should be flown at half staff in memory of those killed and injured in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Mr. Henry has ordered all flags on state property to be flown at half staff until next Sunday afternoon at 5.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A Republican candidate for Oklahoma governor who endorsed the idea of creating a state citizen militia is defending the plan but retreating from his earlier position that the force would be used to oppose the federal government.

Political leaders from both parties on Tuesday condemned the idea, which also has the support of some tea party leaders.

State Sen. Randy Brogdon said he envisions a state militia being used as an auxiliary state force during times of emergency because the Oklahoma National Guard falls under federal control.

Brogdon was among some conservative members of the Oklahoma Legislature and tea party leaders who previously said creating a new volunteer militia could help defend against what they believe are improper federal infringements on state sovereignty.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Frustrated by recent political setbacks, tea party leaders and some members of the Oklahoma Legislature say they would like to create a volunteer militia.

The militia's purpose would be to defend against what activists see as improper federal infringements on state sovereignty.

Tea party leaders say they've discussed the idea with several lawmakers and hope for legislation next year. State Sen. Randy Brogdon (right), a Republican candidate for governor, and Republican state Rep. Charles Key say they are open to the idea.

But critics say talk of a militia could encourage anti-government radicals like those who bombed the Oklahoma City federal building in 1995.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Legislative Black Caucus is criticizing Sen. Randy Brogdon for a remark he made about fried chicken during a debate on federal health care legislation supported by President Barack Obama.

Caucus chairman Rep. Jabar Shumate of Tulsa Wednesday called on Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee to admonish Brogdon. Shumate says Brogdon's comment is part of a pattern of disrespectful and inflammatory actions and statements.

Brogdon, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, made the comment Tuesday during debate on whether the state should try to opt out of parts of the health care bill.

He said Congress has no more authority to tell Oklahomans where to buy health insurance than it does to tell them where to buy a fried chicken dinner.

Brogdon says he was not referring to Obama.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok. - A House joint resolution that would let voters decide whether Oklahomans could opt-out of the federal health care reform law is heading to a conference committee. Senate Democratic Leader Charlie Laster of Shawnee says the resolution should be on the July primary election ballot, but it won't be. Laster says, "I think that it probably is in our State, let the people vote and we'll hear their voice. It's just a shame it's being delayed." Senate Republicans want the issue on the November general election ballot. Senate Democrats are concerned that, since the resolution is heading to a conference committee, it might not be on the ballot at all.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Senate has approved a measure that would allow Oklahoma voters to opt out of key provisions of the federal health care bill signed into law by President Obama.

The joint resolution approved Tuesday by a 36-11 vote would send to a vote of the people in November a state question to prohibit any requirement that a person, employer or hospital participate in a health care system.

A similar resolution is expected to be approved in the House later this week. Both measures are destined for a conference committee, where only one version is expected to emerge for a final legislative vote.

Senate Democrats attempted to amend the bill to place the issue on the July 27 primary ballot, but Republicans derailed that effort.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A Republican state lawmaker says he is responsible for moving a portrait of Democratic President Barack Obama that hangs in the state House chamber.

Rep. Lewis Moore of Arcadia issued a statement Tuesday in which he says he swapped Obama's portrait with a portrait of Democratic Gov. Brad Henry that also hangs in the chamber. Moore's seat in the House is near where Obama's portrait hangs on a wall.

The switch angered a Democratic lawmaker, Rep. Mike Shelton of Oklahoma City. Shelton, who is black, says he was offended and believes the act was childish.

Moore says he respects the office of president but disagrees with Obama's policies. Moore says his opposition to Obama's health care overhaul bill was his sole motivation for moving the photo.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Legislation that would require premarital and divorce counseling has narrowly passed the Oklahoma House.

The House voted 51-45 Wednesday night to send the bill to the state Senate for consideration. It takes at least 51 votes to pass a bill in the 101-member House.

The bill by Rep. Mark McCullough of Sapulpa would require two hours of premarital counseling before a marriage license is issued. It would also give a $45 dollar discount on a license for couples who get at least eight hours of counseling.

The measure also allows for a ``covenant marriage'' license, ends future recognition of ``common law'' marriages and requires pre-divorce education classes for couples with children.

McCullough says divorce and unwed childbearing costs the state hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Motorists who violate traffic laws while using a cell phone to send text messages could be ticketed under a bill approved by the Oklahoma Senate.

The Senate voted 30-14 on Wednesday that defines distracted driving to include violation of traffic laws while using personal communication devices, including cell phones.

The bill by Sen. Anthony Sykes also puts into law a fine of $100 and allows court costs of up to $35 for violating the provision.

The Moore Republican says the fine would apply only if a motorist is found to have broken a traffic law and is then determined to have been texting or engaging in other activities that cause distraction.

The bill prohibits police from making routine traffic stops of motorists specifically for enforcing the act.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok. - If you're thinking of getting an electric vehicle to get state tax credits, you might want to do it before July 1st. That's when the tax credits would stop if a bill passed by the state Senate becomes law. Tulsa Senator Gary Stanislawski says, "We don't want to hurt the people that have already purchased a legitimate, low-speed vehicle. So, this would go into effect July 1st if passed and just be all future sales." He says electric car tax credits are costing Oklahoma between $10-million and $40-million a year. The state tax credit repeal would not affect federal tax credits for electric vehicles. The bill passed the Senate 42 to 3 and heads to the House.

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - CIA Director Leon Panetta says America's counterterrorism operations are putting senior al-Qaida leaders under tremendous pressure.

Panetta made the comments Monday during a foreign policy conference at the University of Oklahoma. Panetta says al-Qaida is an adaptive, resilient group of terrorists whose top goal is to attack the United States.

He says America's top priority is to strike back and ultimately defeat the terrorist organization.

Panneta says that in recent months, counterterrorism activity has resulted in the deaths of half of al-Qaida's top 20 leaders. He says the CIA is effectively conducting operations that disrupt al-Qaida and that as a result, al-Qaida leaders are on the run.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - An agreement designed to close a hole in this year's budget and ease cuts for education, health care, prisons and public safety is expected to reach the governor's desk this week.

Oklahoma lawmakers will begin their fifth week of the legislative session on Monday when they report to the Capitol at Oklahoma City.

The Legislature wrapped up its first phase of committee work last week and now begins taking up bills on the floor of the House and Senate.

Bills detailing a budget fix agreed upon last week by the governor and legislative leaders for the current year's budget have cleared committees and now must be approved on the floor of the Senate and sent to the governor. Lawmakers have said the bills must be signed into law this week to prevent cuts at the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and furloughs of state troopers.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Legislature has worked out a deal with the governor on a budget for the current fiscal year, and now it must take up the task of crafting a budget for the upcoming fiscal year - which looks to be even worse.

Lawmakers learned last week they have about $5.4 billion to spend on the budget for fiscal year 2011 that begins July 1. That amount is $1.2 billion less than they appropriated last year and likely will result in major cuts across state programs.

State Sen. Mike Johnson is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He said it will be a very difficult task. Without new sources of revenue, there will have to be deeper cuts than already put in place for the current year.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Legislature has worked out a deal with the governor on a budget for the current fiscal year, and now it must take up the task of crafting a budget for the upcoming fiscal year - which looks to be even worse.

Lawmakers learned last week they have about $5.4 billion to spend on the budget for fiscal year 2011 that begins July 1. That amount is $1.2 billion less than they appropriated last year and likely will result in major cuts across state programs.

State Sen. Mike Johnson is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He said it will be a very difficult task. Without new sources of revenue, there will have to be deeper cuts than already put in place for the current year.

TULSA, Ok. - U.S. Representative John Sullivan is not happy that a deal between the city and the Tulsa Police Union is being held up in Washington because an individual who could approve the use of a couple of million dollars in grant money is on vacation and won't be back until next month. Sullivan says, "I think that's unacceptable. That's Washington bureaucracy for you and I'd certainly like to see that guy answer them and do it soon." For now, there are no meetings set between the Mayor and the FOP to make a deal that could put 35 officers back to work this week.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry has signed an executive order barring state workers from texting while driving government vehicles.

Henry signed the order Thursday during a ceremony where he said the practice contributed to the deaths of 13 motorists in Oklahoma in 2008. The governor says texting while driving is a recipe for disaster.

Henry says he hopes his order raises public awareness of the dangers of texting while driving. He urged the Legislature to adopt broader prohibitions.

House Democratic Leader Danny Morgan of Prague has filed legislation to ban anyone from texting behind the wheel with a hand-held device.

Henry rejected opponents who claim a ban on texting while driving is government intrusion in people's lives. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia already ban text messaging while driving.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A state lawmaker wants to require couples to get marriage counseling before tying the knot.

The bill by Rep. Mark McCullough of Sapulpa would require couples to obtain at least eight hours of counseling before they can obtain a marriage license.

Couples that get the minimum amount of counseling would pay $50 for a marriage license. But couples that obtain 20 hours or more would pay only $5. The legislation also requires couples with minor children to go through mandatory pre-divorce education classes before a divorce can be granted.

McCullough says research shows children from broken homes are 12 times more likely to be incarcerated, seven times more likely to live in poverty and three times more likely to be expelled from school.

TULSA, Ok. - One Tulsa city councilor believes he has the answer for the city budget shortfall. Councilor John Eagleton says there's a simple solution for this complicated problem. He says, "The average revenue stream from a traffic citation is $120. One ticket per day, per officer on patrol equals $11.5-million. Problem solved." Eagleton bases his budget solution on information provided by Tulsa Police Chief Ron Palmer. He says the numbers include 400 officers assigned to 240 patrol shifts per year.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is inviting Native American leaders to a White House conference on Nov. 5.

The president says he wants to hear directly from them about how his administration can meet their needs and help make their lives better. Many Native Americans suffer higher rates of crime and poorer health than the rest of the population.

The White House said Monday each of the 564 federally recognized tribes in the U.S. will be invited to send one representative to the White House Tribal Nations Conference.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok.- Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor has a new job when she leaves office in December. Governor Henry yesterday appointed the mayor as Chief of Education Strategy and Innovation. Governor Henry says, "I'm very pleased to welcome back to my administration a familiar face, Mayor Kathy Taylor." Mayor Taylor says, "It is time to push change in common education in this nation, but certainly in Oklahoma and I think we've got a lot of bright leaders that are ready to do that at our legislature and in the Governor's office." The new post will be a full-time cabinet-level position in the executive branch. Taylor says she will be volunteering her time and will not accept a state salary.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge says he's passing up a statewide race for the state Treasurer's job and will remain speaker for another year.

The Republican from Tulsa said Thursday he doesn't plan to be a candidate for Treasurer or any other office in 2010. He says he looks forward to leading the House in his final year in the Legislature. Benge is term-limited and can't seek re-election.

Benge was elected House Speaker by unanimous consent in 2008. As speaker and chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, he helped craft the two largest tax cuts in Oklahoma history and has worked to significantly increase funding for Oklahoma's roads and bridges.

Benge was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1998.

BARTLESVILLE, Ok. - It wasn't all Republicans who showed up yesterday at Congressman John Sullivan's meeting with some of his constituents at the Tri-County Vo-Tech community room. That included this man who defended the President when he said, "I see you stand up there and criticize and ridicule our president and the Democratic party." But Congressman Sullivan stood his ground in the mostly-civil discussion. The crowd broke into applause when Sullivan said, "I'm going to continue to criticize this president when he tries to take over the health care system, run our banks, run our banks, take over our banks, energy policy, everything. It's wrong." Another man at the meeting said health care needs some repair but not a wrecking ball.

WASHINGTON (AP) - An Oklahoma senator says the angry tone of the health care debate is the result of people losing confidence in government.

Republican Sen. Tom Coburn says the government has earned that loss of confidence.

At times during protests, critics of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul have likened him to Adolf Hitler.

Coburn calls health care a symptom of the debate over an uncontrolled federal government. He says unchecked spending by Congress has raised the question of whether lawmakers are legitimately thinking about the American people and their long-term best interests.

Coburn appeared Sunday on NBC's ``Meet the Press.''

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A state lawmaker who is also a doctor is expressing concern about a sharp increase in instances of HIV/AIDS cases in the southern U.S.

State Rep. Mike Ritze of Broken Arrow attended a workshop in Atlanta last week on the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy.

Ritze says there has been an almost 26 percent increase in HIV/AIDS cases in the South since 1996. He says the area has also experienced disproportionately high incidences of teen pregnancy.

As a physician, Ritz says he has long been aware of the health disparities and many dangers that Oklahoma youth face.

A member of the House Public Health Committee, Ritze says tackling the epidemic is a crucial step in preventing many of the problems that state agencies are trying to solve.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok. - People using the internet trying to file for jobless benefits in Oklahoma are out of luck.The system crashed yesterday. Spokesman John Carpenter at the State Employment Security Commission isn't sure when it will be up and running again. As a result, he says the phone-filing system is overwhelmed. He says, "They're taking all the calls they can handle but there are still some people out there who are calling and not even able to get through to the center and are getting fast busy signals and all circuits busy-type messages." A record number of people are filing for jobless benefits and that could be at the heart of the computer problem.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Eight post offices in Tulsa and Oklahoma City are targeted for closure as the U.S. Postal Service tries to offset a $12 billion loss for this fiscal year.

Regional spokesman Dave Lewin says the U.S. Postal Service is looking to save $6 billion to cut its losses and also is freezing new hires and administrative salaries and halting construction projects.

The Washington Post reports that the Postal Service's plan is likely to affect 677 post offices across the country and that 200 would be closed or consolidated.

Lewin says the list was developed in June and should be finalized late this month.

He says a public comment period will follow before any stations are closed.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - With revenue down, the state's toll-road agency will consider raising the cost of traveling on Oklahoma's 10 turnpikes when it meets this week.

If tolls aren't raised, ``the maintenance of our system is going to really take a hit,'' said Jack Damrill, spokesman for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

``We still think we have the best roads in the state, and in order to maintain them, it looks like a toll increase is what needs to happen,'' said Jack Damrill, spokesman for the Turnpike Authority.

The increase would be the first since 2001. Damrill said the higher tolls are necessary to make up for declining revenue, mostly caused by a continuing slide of commercial truck traffic during the national recession.

The authority will take up the issue when it meets Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn says he questions the accuracy of a New York Times story about the National Security Agency intercepting private U.S. conversations.

Coburn, a member of the Judiciary Committee, joined Senate Intelligence Committee chair Dianne Feinstein of California in expressing doubts about the story.

The story claimed the NSA had intercepted more conversations in 2008 and early this year than has been acknowledged.

Feinstein says that as far as she knows the NSA has not committed flagrant violations of the rules governing surveillance of American e-mails and phone calls.

The Times quoted a New Jersey congressman as being very concerned about the extent that conversations were over collected and doubting that violations reported in April were accidental.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn is questioning 100 projects that have received funding from President Barack Obama's economic recovery program, including one in his home state.

Among other things, Coburn cited the repair of 37 rural bridges in Wisconsin, including one that is located in Portage County, Wis. It carries 260 vehicles a day, largely to a backwater saloon and a country club.

Portage County highway commissioner Bill Weronke says the bridge has reached its life expectancy and is dangerous.

Coburn also criticized using stimulus money for a new $5 million wastewater treatment plant in Perkins, Oklahoma. He says the stimulus money came with strings that will increase the costs.

With a new pricetag of $7.2 million, the city will have to borrow money and, as a result, utility taxes have increased by 60 percent this year.

Ed DeSeve -- a senior adviser to Obama for Recovery Act implementation -- says there have been some mistakes.

But he says Coburn's report includes criticisms of projects that already have been stopped or were never approved.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - U.S. Attorney David E. O'Meilia says he's planning to resign at the end of the month as head of the northern district office in Tulsa.

O'Meilia announced yesterday that his resignation would be effective June 28.

Nominated in 2001 by former President George W. Bush, O'Meilia says he plans to return to private practice with a Tulsa law firm.

The 57-year-old began his law career as a Tulsa County assistant district attorney. He also served as an assistant U.S. attorney for more than 10 years, among other positions.

The U.S. Attorney's Northern District covers 11 counties in northeast Oklahoma and employs 26 attorneys.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A national study shows that Oklahoma spent nearly 12 percent of its state budget in 2005 on costs connected to substance abuse and addiction.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University in New York released its study today.

The report shows Oklahoma spent less than 1 percent of its budget during the same year on substance abuse prevention, treatment and research.

The three-year analysis on public spending is based on 2005 data, the most recent available for the study, but researchers say there has been little change since that time in how state resources are allocated.

Of every state dollar Oklahoma spent on substance abuse and addiction, including smoking, in 2005, the study shows 97 cents went toward corrections, the judicial system, child welfare and other related costs. Only 3 cents in Oklahoma went toward prevention and treatment.

Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Commissioner Terri White says there is clear evidence that substance abuse treatment can save the state money in the long run.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State Rep. John Wright of Broken Arrow says he is a candidate for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in 2010.

Wright announced his campaign yesterday in the state Capitol rotunda in front of a portrait of Will Rogers. Wright was accompanied by his wife, Debra, and daughter, Ashley.

Wright is term-limited and is serving his sixth and final two-year term. He says he has not missed a day of legislative service in 11 years and has missed only four votes.

Wright says he has opened a fundraising account and transferred about $25,000 left over from his legislative races.

Wright joins Democratic state Sen. Kenneth Corn of Poteau as the only announced candidates for lieutenant governor.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry has signed a bill allowing for the creation of a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the state Capitol.

This was one of several bills he signed into law yesterday.

Civil libertarians and some religious groups argued that such a monument would be a clear violation of the U.S. Constitution. Similar monuments have drawn legal challenges elsewhere.

Rep. Mike Ritze, the House author of the bill, said there are hundreds of these types of monuments in public spaces across the country. He also said the Ten Commandments have great historical significance, aside from their religious aspect.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Civil libertarians and some religious groups are urging Gov. Brad Henry to veto a bill to erect a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the state Capitol.

Similar displays elsewhere, including a Ten Commandments monument at the Haskell County Courthouse in Stigler, have drawn numerous legal challenges, including some that have reached the U.S. Supreme Court.

Rep. Mike Ritze is the House author of the bill. Ritze stressed the historical significance of the Ten Commandments, which he said are an important foundation of the laws and legal system of the country.

But Tamya Cox of the American Civil Liberties Union says even though in the bill it states that one religion isn't preferred over another, allowing the monument to be placed highlights Christianity over any other minority faith.

The nation's highest court ruled in 2005 that Ten Commandments displays on government property must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

On the same day the court allowed a display in Texas, it ruled against Ten Commandments displays inside two Kentucky courthouses.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Legislature has entered what is supposed to be its final two weeks of work with no agreement on a budget.

House Speaker Chris Benge, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee and Gov. Brad Henry had nothing new to report yesterday on resolving differences.

No one is talking on the record, but there are signs the hang-ups are over funding for education and health care.

Coffee says there are always differences of opinion, but all sides are close and will find a way to get it done.

Benge said he couldn't specify why the delays are occurring but said there are areas that needed shoring up.

Henry says negotiations are in the early stages and he is optimistic an agreement can be reached this week.

If not, Henry says the adjournment deadline set by the state Constitution is May 29th.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry has signed two bills authorizing $50 million in bonds to build low-water dams along the Arkansas River in the Tulsa area and for flood-control projects on streams and rivers in rural areas.

The proposals were originally approved by the Legislature last year, but were later struck down by the Oklahoma Supreme Court on a technical issue tied to way the legislation was written.

Senate Bill 239 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Ken Miller, R-Edmond, authorizes a $25 million bond issue to construct the Tulsa area dams.

Senate Bill 238 by Sen. Mike Fisher, R-Kingfisher, and Miller also authorizes $25 million for conservation dams across rural Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State Superintendent Sandy Garrett says schools will be receiving notices about the first installment of federal stimulus money, totaling more than $128 million.

Oklahoma schools are slated to receive more than $54 million for the federal Title I program and more than $73 million will be available for special education.

Oklahoma Department of Education spokeswoman Wendy Pratt said yesterday Title I focuses on math and reading for students living in poverty.

Schools, she says, will be able to use the money the way they would normally spend Title I or special education funding after going through the application process.

Superintendents will have to sign an ``accountability assurance'' form, stating they will spend the funds according to federal law and detail the expenditures to the education department.

Garrett says being accountable and transparent has been stressed to school superintendents and they must report their expenditures directly to the education department.

She says a second round of stimulus funding will be available Sept. 30.

Pratt says for the second round, schools will have to complete a new application and establish new goals on how they want to spend the money.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Senate has voted overwhelmingly for a bill to allow a Ten Commandments monument to be placed on the Capitol grounds.

The bill passed 37-9 yesterday over arguments it is unconstitutional and a political ploy.

The measure was sponsored by Sen. Randy Brogdon of Owasso, a Republican candidate for governor.

Brogdon argued the Ten Commandments is a historical document. Opponents said it was clearly a religious document.

The bill is headed for a joint House-Senate conference committee for further work.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - By special permission, a group of senators have gone barefoot on the floor of the legislative body.

Yesterday's shoeless display was part of the ``One Day Without Shoes'' program being held across the U.S. and other countries.

The program calls attention to the plight of children in developing countries who go into adulthood without wearing shoes.

It was started by Tom's Shoes, a relatively new company that donates a pair of shoes to children for every pair sold.

The Senate adopted a resolution by Sen. Andrew Rice supporting the program. Senate leaders suspended normal dress codes to allow the display.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A consumer-oriented advocacy group says Republican-sponsored legislation to deal with problems in state health care is inadequate.

Oklahomans for Health Care Reform held a news conference yesterday to announce plans for a noon rally at the Capitol on April 21st.

Members of the group include Wayne Rohde, father of a child with autism; Nancy Thomason, president of the Oklahoma Brain Tumor Foundation and Jeff Raymond, executive director of OKWatchdog, a consumer and patient advocacy association.

Sen. Kenneth Corn, a Poteau Democrat, said action is needed because insurance companies have policies aimed at denying people benefits.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - An Owasso Republican mulling a run for governor wants to reimburse Oklahoma taxpayers up to $2.6 billion in federal stimulus money that Oklahoma is scheduled to receive.

State Sen. Randy Brogdon announced his plan yesterday, saying he plans to introduce legislation calling for tax rebates.

Under his plan, the amount of any federal stimulus money spent in Oklahoma would be returned to state taxpayers through sales tax rebates, beginning with $400 per person. He says his plan ultimately could amount to an income tax rebate of up to 40 percent for the average Oklahoma taxpayer.

Brogdon previously has called on Oklahoma leaders to return all of the federal stimulus money to President Obama and Congress, saying it threatens the country's long-term financial health.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahomans will get a chance next year to vote on whether people should be required to produce identification before being allowed to vote.

The House (rotunda, shown) yesterday approved a bill, already approved by the Senate, to put this issue on the 2010 ballot.

Lawmakers sent Gov. Brad Henry a bill requiring voter identification, but Henry vetoed it, saying it would create an unnecessary impediment to voting and conflicted with the state constitution.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry's desk is the next stop for a bill that will require voters to provide some form of identification at the polls.

Without debate, the Oklahoma House yesterday gave final passage to the measure in a bipartisan 71-27 vote. It was previously approved by the Senate.

The measure requires voters to present a photo ID issued by the government or an American Indian tribe, including driver's licenses. But it also allows county-issued voter identification cards to be used.

The bill's author, Rep. Sue Tibbs of Tulsa, says it will preserve the integrity of the election system and prevent fraud.

The bill also expands early voting in general elections by adding Wednesday afternoons and Thursdays to the existing three-day early voting period.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma House leaders are pushing a program to use taxpayer dollars to encourage motorists to fuel their cars and trucks with compressed natural gas.

The idea has received bipartisan support in the House, which has overwhelmingly approved several energy-related measures and sent them to the Senate for consideration.

But some lawmakers question whether state government should be meddling in the CNG business and believe the investment may actually discourage private operators.

The alternative fuel plan was developed by House Speaker Chris Benge and would appear to be a role reversal for the Tulsa Republican who is best known for promoting tax cuts and less government spending.

The bill would authorize the Department of Central Services to build alternative fuel stations for state agencies and the vehicle fleets of schools and county and city governments.

House Democratic Leader Danny Morgan voted for Benge's bill, but says state government should concentrate more on providing incentives to private companies to promote use of the fuel.

Brad Ballard of Oklahoma Natural Gas says the company supports Benge's program.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Senate has adopted a resolution to shut down the 2009 Oklahoma Legislature a week early.

Under the state Constitution, lawmakers are under a deadline to adjourn by 5 p.m. on the last Friday in May, which would be May 29 this year.

Under the resolution adopted Monday by the Senate, adjournment would come on May 22.

A spokeswoman for House Speaker Chris Benge says the House probably would vote on the plan this week.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The head of Oklahoma's Department of Human Services says the number of state residents receiving food stamps reached an all-time high last month.

Howard Hendrick cited the weakening state economy and resulting job cuts in a meeting yesterday with state lawmakers.

Hendrick says many of those seeking help are first-time food stamp recipients, while others are returning to food stamps after having lost a job.

DHS records show 444,184 Oklahomans received food stamps in February. That's nearly 2,000 more than the 442,299 on food stamps in January.

Hendrick said it's about a 6.4 percent increase compared with February 2008, when 417,624 received food stamps.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - With a recent spate of public officials in Oklahoma convicted of felonies, state lawmakers have voted to force them to give up their state pension if they are convicted of a crime related to abuse of office.

The state House passed the measure in a bipartisan 86-11 vote yesterday despite concerns from some lawmakers about the impact losing a state pension would have on convicted elected officials' family members who have done nothing wrong.

Most lawmakers agreed with the bill's author, Oklahoma City Republican Jason Nelson, that public officials who commit felonies should forfeit the right to receive a state pension.

In January, former state Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan was sentenced to eight years and one month in prison for accepting bribes from a southeastern Oklahoma businessman.

Last month, former Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher pleaded no contest to accepting bribes and was ordered to spend six months in a private lock down facility. Fisher also was found guilty in a campaign corruption case following a trial in February 2006 and was given a three-year prison term.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Gov. Brad Henry plans to sign a bill today that will help preserve the Oklahoma State University medical program and the OSU Medical Center in Tulsa.

Henry says he will sign House Bill 1127, which appropriates $5 million to the cash-strapped medical center to help with operating costs and its residency program.

The funds are part of a public-private agreement reached with local and state leaders last year. Under the plan, the state will contribute $5 million per year for the next five years that will be matched by at least $7 million annually in private funds raised in the Tulsa community.

Henry will sign the measure today during a ceremony in the state Capitol Blue Room.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Legislation that would ask voters to make English the official language of Oklahoma's state government will get a debate and vote on the state House floor.

Two bills by Moore Republican Randy Terrill were approved in House committees yesterday and sent on to the full House for consideration.

Terrill's bills aim to prevent the state from providing taxpayer-funded services in any language other than English. That would eliminate such needs as publishing driver's license tests in multiple languages.

Representatives of the Latino Community Development Agency and American Civil Liberties Union spoke out in opposition to the bills. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith has also opposed similar measures.

Any constitutional amendment to make English the state's official language would be subject to a statewide vote.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Senate Rules Committee has voted to create Oklahoma's first-ever Children's Cabinet to improve state services for children.

Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, a Democrat from Durant, says the legislation will endeavor to remove barriers that prevent Oklahoma children from living healthy lives and maximizing their potential.

Gumm says Oklahoma ranks among the 10 worst states in infant mortality, teenage death rates and child poverty.

The Children's Cabinet would be comprised of 15 officials whose agencies have interest in children's issues. The Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth would provide support staff.

The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - After state Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee (pictured) assumed that post earlier this year, six members of his staff received hefty pay raises.

The Oklahoma City Republican defended the raises, saying they were awarded before officials learned the state faces a $600 million revenue shortfall that could grow to $900 million.

Because of that shortfall, agencies have been told to expect cuts and state employees and teachers likely won't receive any pay increases.

The largest raise among Coffee's staffers went to Britnee Preston, the majority leadership legislative assistant, who received a $17,164 salary bump and now has an annual salary of $46,164.

Fred Morgan, a senior policy adviser and legal counsel, makes $140,000 annually after receiving a $15,000 raise.

His salary remains below that received by Vic Thompson, who served as an aide to Coffee's predecessor as Senate president pro tem, Democrat Mike Morgan of Stillwater. The Tulsa World reported in June 2007 that Thompson earned $150,000.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) The number of Oklahomans receiving food stamps is nearing record levels, and human services officials expect the trend to continue.

In January, the Department of Human Services reports the state missed the record by 746 people.

The highest number of people receiving food stamps in one month came in December 2005 with 443,045 people. Last month, 442,299 Oklahomans were given food stamps.

Food stamp benefits amount to an average of about $3 a day.

The program is an eligibility program based on 130 percent of the federal poverty level. That means a family of three may not have a monthly income exceeding $1,900.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Supporters of legislation that would ban smoking in restaurants and most other public places say a new poll shows it has lots of public support.

Results of the poll were released yesterday by representatives of the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and other groups.

It shows 59 percent of those surveyed support a law that would eliminate smoking and smoking sections in public places. Only 37 percent oppose it.

And more than two-thirds support the right of customers and employees to breathe clean air. Smoking in Oklahoma restaurants is now restricted to separately ventilated rooms.

One anti-smoking bill is pending in a Senate committee. A second bill is pending in a House committee but committee chairman Rep. John Trebilcock says he's not inclined not to give it a hearing.

Trebilcock says restaurant owners made an investment by installing separate smoking rooms to comply with rules passed in 2003.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma's two senators voted against a $838 billion economic recovery plan that could conceivably funnel millions of dollars in road and education funds into a state budget that has a $600 million hole.

Sen. Jim Inhofe calls the plan, which is being pushed by President Barack Obama, as, quote, ``more of the same from Washington.''

Inhofe and Sen. Tom Coburn, both Republicans, were on the losing side of a 61-37 vote yesterday.

The plan now will head to what could be difficult House-Senate negotiations because of the differences in the bills passed by the two bodies.

State officials are taking a wait-and-see approach before determining how much money Oklahoma might receive from any federal plan.

A spokesman for Gov. Brad Henry says the numbers in the plan have changed so much over the last few weeks that it's impossible to make an informed statement on it.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The state's road contractors are energized by the prospect that Oklahoma could get hundreds of millions of dollars from President Obama's stimulus package.

A group of contractors met with state transportation Director Gary Ridley and a board representing the road and bridge industry last week.

Ridley told them Oklahoma could get the money in early April, and he wants them to be ready.

A House version of the proposed stimulus package that passed last month indicated Oklahoma could get $465 million. Officials have said road projects alone could lead to 15,000 Oklahoma jobs being added to the economy.

Shorter-term projects that have already cleared right-of-way and environmental hurdles are high on the list because they will get people working soon.

Manhattan Road and Bridge president Ken Adams says there are some projects his company could jump on quickly if the funding becomes a reality.

Pump operator Jerry Castillo, who makes sure concrete keeps spewing at job sites, says if he could, he'd tell Republicans and Democrats to work out their differences and get a bill passed.

Castillo says he knows workers with families who have been laid off.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - New details released by the White House show 43,300 jobs will be saved or created in Oklahoma over two years by a stimulus package that is the heart of President Obama's economic recovery plan.

Oklahoma officials said yesterday they are waiting for specifics of the final version of the House-passed plan, which is expected to undergo significant changes in the Senate.

The White House release said it is projected that 90 percent of the jobs created in Oklahoma will be in the private sector, many in highway construction, health care and other areas.

The package will provide funding to improve schools, help more students go to college and double the state's renewable energy capacity. Most Oklahomans will qualify for a tax cut under the proposal.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry's executive budget for the upcoming year proposes to sharply curtail travel by most state employees and would cut many agency budgets up to 10 percent.

But education, health care, transportation and public safety agencies would be exempt from most cuts.

State Treasurer Scott Meacham outlined Henry's budget proposals yesterday shortly after the governor presented his State of the State address at the start of the 2009 Oklahoma Legislature.

The governor warned that the state faces a $600 million budget hole due to declining energy prices and a national economy that is in recession.

His budget proposes about $102 million less in appropriations by lawmakers than last year's Legislature. It also proposes about $335 million in cash adjustments, revenue increases and efficiency savings.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A state lawmaker is urging changes to state law to make sure that disaster funding is readily available following future ice storms and other disasters.

Legislation filed by Rush Springs Rep. Joe Dorman would amend the state Constitution to require that money from the constitutional Rainy Day reserve fund be used to provide matching funds for federal disaster relief appropriations.

In most cases, the federal government funds 75 percent of disaster relief leaving the local entity with 12.5 percent and the state with 12.5 percent. But the state has often been slow to provide its 12.5 percent share, preventing the disbursement of emergency funding.

Dorman says the state didn't pay its share of disaster funding for the 2000 ice storms until 2006.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Rep. Dan Boren was the only member of Oklahoma's Congressional delegation to vote for an $819 billion bill designed to stimulate the U.S. economy.

Boren -- the delegation's lone Democrat -- and 243 other House members favored the measure and 188 were against it in a vote that fell primarily along party lines yesterday.

Boren says he didn't like the bill's size, but added that the worst economic times since the Great Depression warranted big action.

Republican Representatives Tom Cole, Mary Fallin, Frank Lucas and John Sullivan voted against the measure.

Cole and Fallin said the legislation contained reasonable provisions such as tax cuts and spending on the infrastructure.

Lucas questioned whether any jobs at all would be created by the package.

All the GOP members believed unnecessary spending had been added to the measure and would add to an already bloated budget deficit.

The Senate is scheduled to consider the measure next.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma's unemployment rate inched up by 0.3 percent from November to 4.8 percent in December, but remained more than 2 percent lower than the national jobless rate.

The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission reported yesterday that the statewide rate was 0.5 percent higher than the rate reported for December of last year.

Meanwhile, the U.S. jobless rate has risen to a 16-year high of 7.2 percent in December. The states with the biggest increases were Indiana at 8.2 percent, up from 7.1 percent in November, and South Carolina with 9.4 percent, an increase from 8.4 percent.

OWASSO, Okla. (AP) - Police have arrested an Owasso city councilor on a DUI complaint.

D.J. Gall, 37, arrested around 3 a.m. yesterday and booked into the Tulsa Jail on complaints of first-offense driving while intoxicated and obstructing a police officer.

Other complaints against Gall include carrying a loaded firearm while intoxicated, failing to notify police of the gun, failure to provide a concealed-carry permit, and traveling 14 mph over the speed limit.

A probable cause statement says an officer pulled Gall over for alleged speeding. The officer reportedly detected alcohol on Gall<s breath and stated that he had slurred speech and was unsteady on his feet.

Gall serves on the Owasso City Council in Ward 1 and also is vice mayor. Gall could not be immediately reached for comment.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A special City Council meeting has been planned tomorrow to discuss an investigation into whether Tulsa firefighters falsified some training documents.

Fire Chief Allen LaCroix has said it appears some firefighters reported that they had attended continuing education classes but wrote down incorrect dates for their training. Others may have simply skipped the training, but reported they went.

The classes are required to maintain their status as emergency medical technicians.

The state Health Department has also investigated the fire department.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok. - Barack Obama's proposed economic stimulus package could mean an extra 40 million dollars or more in federal funds for Oklahoma's general aviation airports. State Aeronautics Commission Director Vic Bird says he's 'ecstatic'. "We're going to be able to do some things here in a very short time frame that probably we would have been looking at 15 to 20 years," Bird says. He says the state typically averages about 10 million dollars in funding annually. He says as soon as the package is approved by Congress about 40 million dollars worth of airport projects in Oklahoma are ready to go.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A state lawmaker's proposal to get rid of smoking rooms at restaurants and hotels has drawn opposition from the Oklahoma Restaurant Association.

The group remained neutral on a bill proposed last year that would have prohibited smoking rooms, but decided to oppose this year's legislation after surveying its members.

Ponca City Republican David Myers filed the bill in the state Senate that would stop restaurants from creating news smoking rooms after Sept. 1. It also would have required existing smoking rooms to be taken out by September 2010.