Who won and lost?

by: MICK HINTON and BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
5/24/2008 

A handful of winners and losers emerged from the most recent session of the Oklahoma Legislature. Bills that focused on abortion and physical education in schools grabbed headlines and led to new legislation. On the other hand, several measures failed to move forward — leaving nonsmokers, teachers and state employees wanting more. Some of the winners and losers from the 2008 legislative session are summarized below.

Bills approved

Road funding
Advocates for roads and bridges succeeded in passing a $300 million bond package that secures the state’s eight-year plan for improvements.

Money for dams
Tulsa County residents will benefit from $25 million worth of bonds to construct low-water dams along the Arkansas River corridor.

Endowed chairs
Universities benefited from a commitment of $100 million for bonds to secure endowed professorships.

Pre-abortion ultrasounds
Abortion opponents were successful in gaining passage of Senate Bill 1878, which requires women seeking abortions to have ultrasounds within one hour of the procedure and requiring medical personnel to provide an explanation of the ultrasound. The Legislature overrode a veto by Gov. Brad Henry, who said it made no exceptions for victims of rape and incest.

More physical activity in schools
Sen. Mary Easley, D-Tulsa, was successful in passing Senate Bill 1186, which doubles the amount of physical activity for full-day kindergartners through fifth-graders to 120 minutes from 60 minutes in an effort to increase learning and reduce childhood obesity.

Bills derailed

Smoking ban not extended
Nonsmokers lost with the failure of Senate Bill 1875, which would have banned smoking in all public places, including restaurants, taverns, bars and hotels.

No official language, voter ID, added term limits
Republicans lost efforts to make English the state’s official language, require voter identification at the polls and put a 12-year term limit on statewide office holders.

No raises
State workers and teachers will not be getting raises this year because of a standstill budget.

Reduced property tax cap dies
Property owners saw an effort to cap annual increases at 3 percent, down from 5 percent, fail in a House committee.

Insurance coverage for autism fails
Patients and parents didn’t get bills passed requiring coverage for clinical trials and autism.

No guns on campus
Gun supporters were thwarted in passing a law that would have allowed some students to carry weapons on campus. The proposal alarmed college administrators, who convinced Senate leaders to snuff out the measure.

Source: Tulsa World