Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — Oklahoma agencies are saving money by switching to debit cards instead of paper checks for things like unemployment benefits and tax refunds, but at least one lawmaker is concerned the cards are posing problems for some citizens and leading to huge windfalls for a private contractor. State Rep. Scott Inman of Del City outlined his concerns Tuesday during a meeting of the House Government Modernization Committee. Among those who testified at the hearing was 81-year-old Orland Olandese, a retired postal worker in Inman's district who received his $240 state tax refund on a debit card. Olandese said he had never used a debit card or ATM machine and didn't know how to access his funds. The Oklahoma Tax Commission estimates $500,000 in savings from the switch to debit card refunds.
State News
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State Senate unveils $80M plan for 2 new museums
The Oklahoma Senate unveiled a new plan on Thursday to divert $80 million in state sales and use taxes over a four-year period to pay for the completion of an American Indian museum in Oklahoma City and build a new popular culture museum in Tulsa.
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State lawmakers on verge of taking on high school sports association
An interim legislative study is being proposed regarding recent actions by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA), a state legislator who asked to remain anonymous said this week....
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Tornadoes touch down in SW Oklahoma
As many as six tornadoes touched down in Comanche County and Lawton on Wednesday. Four people were trapped inside a mobile home in Elgin that got knocked off its foundation, authorities said. No injuries were reported. Hail from 1⁄4 to ...
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New state workers’ comp plan released
OKLAHOMA CITY — A new plan to overhaul Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation system has been unveiled in the House and is scheduled for a hearing next week.
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Big quake in 2011 likely man-made
WASHINGTON — An unusual and widely felt 5.6-magnitude quake in Oklahoma in 2011 was probably caused when oil drilling waste was pushed deep underground, a team of university and federal scientists concluded....
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Will Oklahomans conserve water if shortage continues?
Cattleman Mark Fuss spent $8,000 to drill two wells on his sprawling ranch about 10 miles east of Stillwater, gambling he would strike water.
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Horse slaughter debated
Whether Oklahomans support or oppose the slaughter of horses in the state depends upon which polling data you believe. Results of two polls released over the weekend provide conflicting information.
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Senate ag committee supports horse slaughter bill
A bill to legalize the slaughter of horses in Oklahoma is approaching the finish line, after members of the Senate agriculture committee voted unanimously Monday in support of the measure....
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Okla. House approves bill to allow armed teachers
The measure directs the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training to develop a specialized training course for volunteer teachers.
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Senate bill requires office candidates to reveal background
The full Senate has given unanimous approval to a measure aimed at making sure voters know if someone filing for office has a criminal background. Senate Bill 287, by Sen. Susan Paddack, would require additional information on declaration ...
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