Local News
Lawmakers: We will tap rainy day reservoir
The Oklahoma Legislature will have to tap into the state's rainy day fund – and soon, local lawmakers on the state level say.
Both Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs, and Sen. Ron Justice, R-Chickasha, said its not a matter of if the Legislature will tap into the fund, it's a matter of when – and for how much.
The rainy day fund contains about $600 million-plus.
State agencies have experienced 5 percent budget cuts in every month since August, and plunging revenues recently led officials to order 10 percent budget cuts across the state.
The results: State agencies will be cut about $43 million in allocations this month, and senior centers are having to make do with less food, child welfare workers are being laid off,, and educators see financial calamity on the horizon.
It's a far different situation than what faced Oklahoma this time last year, when officials were bragging about the state being recession proof, even as the national economy slipped.
"Whoever said we have a recession proof economy should be shot," Dorman said, jokingly.
The state has already hemorrhaged more than $250 million in cash reserves, leaving less than $400 million in rainy day funds, Dorman said. He said the state will also spend upwards of $600 million in stimulus money.
Some politicians, including Justice, have called for a special legislative session to settle the budget shortfalls before next year, but Dorman believes it would be too expensive and too late to make any real changes.
Dorman said real progress will be made come February when the legislature is back in session.
He said that if the economy does not start to strengthen and replenish funds being used, legislatures will be left with two real options: make cuts to state agencies or raise revenue through taxes and fees. Dorman doesn't foresee a tax increase, so that would leave Oklahoma lawmakers with just one option: cut programs.
"With the attitude of the current legislation, I can see future budget cuts...It's gonna be devastating to many state agencies," Dorman said.
But, even if Oklahoma's economy is faltering, it is not as bad as in other states. Oklahoma's five percent unemployment rate is low compared to 15.1 percent in Michigan, and Oklahoma state law prevents it from going into a deficit, unlike California which has a budget shortfall of more than $40 billion.
"In some respects were fortunate, just look at the problems they have in California," Justice said.
Justice said that the concern after opening the fund is depleting it.
"If we wind up spending all of it this year, that's a big setback for the next," Justice said. "You don't want to use it all at one time until we see some things turning around."
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Transformations
What comes to mind when you think of the word, “Transformation”?Do you have fantastic thoughts of people or things changing into something amazing for example, Clark Kent turning into Superman or Bruce Banner becoming the Incredible Hulk or possibly something a little more down to earth like a caterpillar miraculously changing into the beautiful butterfly?
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GRADY COUNTY FAIR RESULTS
Plants
Potted Plants
(Several varieties combined)
First: (Adult) Ann O'Bar
Second: (Adult) Joyce Riker
Third: (Adult) Jallane Link -
AROUND THE AREA
SEPTEMBER 2
Poetry Reading
• When: Sept. 2, 7 p.m.
• Where: Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant, Private Room, 3127 S. 4th St., Chickasha
• Details: Featured Poet is Carol Hamilton, writer, storyteller and Poet Laureate of Oklahoma 1995-97Hamilton’s website is www.carolhamilton.org. There is no admission fee to attend the Poetry Reading, and refreshments are available for purchase. For more information, contact Rockford Johnson, 224-0160 or 317-7506. -
Duncan nips Chicks for straight-game win
Duncan got their eighth match win of the season Tuesday, beating Nancy Waters’ Lady Chicks in straight games at the Activity Center.
The Chicks looked like they had a little hangover from Monday night’s tough road loss at Tecumseh, coming out flat again and dropping their first two games by identical 25-17 scores.
They came out firing on all eight cylinders for game three, running out to a 15-9 lead on the strength of a 7-0 run with Shelby Crosley serving, but the Demons battled back to tie it late and the Chicks let it slip away, 25-21. -
STATE SPORTS BRIEFS
NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has named walk-on Patrick O'Hara as the starting place-kicker for the seventh-ranked Sooners.
Stoops said on his radio show Tuesday night that O'Hara won the competition with Jimmy Stevens, freshman Michael Hunnicutt and redshirt freshman Bryce Easley. -
OSU's Gundy still learning on job
STILLWATER (AP) — Mike Gundy hasn't lost his love for dialing up the right play to keep Oklahoma State's offense purring along.
That passion, which he has called the most enjoyable part of his job as head coach, was bred into him as an offensive coordinator. And he is a former starting quarterback for the Cowboys. -
Whimsical metal work, jewelry part of big art show at USAO
A showing of whimsical metal work and jewelry is scheduled to be on display at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma during Helen’s Show Sept. 10-Oct 1.
The show will feature the work of USAO graduate Helen Shafer. The exhibition will be open daily during normal business hours in the Davis Hall Third Floor Art Gallery on the USAO campus. The show is free and open to the public. An opening reception is scheduled Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the gallery. -
High-speed chase lands 1 in jail
A high-speed motorcycle chase down Highway 81 last Wednesday landed a Ninnekah man in jail and a felony charge of eluding a police officer.
Court records show that James William Hutchins, 21, blew by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Timothy Parrish at U.S. Highway 81 and County Road 1460 and was clocked going 144 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone.
Parrish reported that he was sitting stationary at that location at about 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 25 when he observed a red motorcycle traveling southbound. He engaged his emergency lights and siren and pulled onto the roadway behind the Triumph motorcycle. -
5 inmates denied parole
Parole was recently denied for five Grady County inmates serving sentences with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
The following individuals were denied at the August Pardon and Parole Board meeting:
• Jeremiah Daniel Cline, who is serving a five-year sentence for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and a five-year sentence for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, began his sentence in August 2008.
• Warren P. Diego, who is serving a 15-year sentence (10 years PTS) for lewd molestation, began his sentence in February 2009. -
Judge recuses herself from pharmacy case
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state district judge has stepped aside from the first-degree murder trial of a pharmacist accused in the fatal shooting of an unconscious would-be robber.
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Transformations
