To view specific Ideas, select a category from the drop down list below. If you'd like to see all of them, simply select "View All"!
|
TOPIC: renewable fuels, sustainable society
Our growth in this country is stagnant from many perspectives. In many ways we are actually moving backwards. We have been relying on fossil fuels to power our homes, businesses, cars and airplanes for well over a century. In this time there have been few significant advances in fuel efficiency. Meanwhile these fuels continue to pollute our environment and effect the climate, create hazardous air pollution and ultimately affect the ability of the planet to support our ever increasing numbers. My idea is simple-Our homes and businesses should use energy from sustainable and renewable resources that do not pollute the environment. Our vehicles and airplanes should also be powered by fuels that are clean and renewable. These technologies exist. Many of the alternative fuel sources that could accomplish this have been around for the last 30-40 years or longer. The only reason they have not been further developed and put into use is because the fossil fuel companies and our government have blocked them at every pass. They do not want to find alternatives that would free us from our dependence on foreign oil and make America a truly free country. If they really wanted that, it would have happened by now. Currently all our eggs are in one basket - fossil fuels, which are in steady decline and once they're gone they're gone. It will take many different technologies to feed our energy needs and it won't happen overnight, but it needs to start now or soon we will have no fossil fuels left to feed our needs. Solar, wind, biofuels, hydrogen and many other options should be our source of energy. We should reduce our energy needs by making our homes and businesses more energy efficient, choosing more efficient appliances and lighting, using public transportation and recycling our waste. The only way to accomplish this is for our government to pass regulations requiring these higher efficiency standards, impose fines and taxes for pollution causing technologies, and tax breaks for those that increase our efficiency and are environmentally friendly. Oklahoma needs to take a leading role in pushing these standards. Our future our health and ultimately the world depends on it.    |
|
TOPIC: Opec Oklahoma
We are, according to the commercials, the second largest state producer of natural gas. Yet, we derive little benefit from this.
The oil millionaires who made the state great have died and their heirs receive their royalty checks in New York City. There is little new employment in the oil fields other than minor stripper well companies.
We should slap a major tax on all natural gas and oil produced before it's all gone.
Sure, our in-state costs for those will go up, but they're going up anyway.
The benefit is that all the other states will be paying our tax as well and thus supporting us.
We need to behave more like an Opec nation before our resources are used up, and get as much benefit as possible from our natural resources.
We can afford major tax cuts with the increased revenue. We can repair our highways and bridges and put people to work.
And, no matter how much we tax it, it'll sell anyway. The world needs our oil. |
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Place and maintain compressed natural gas filling stations around the state. CNG is produced domestically and burns cleanly. Unlike other alternative fuel vehicles, CNG cars are available HERE and NOW, but few people realize it. The Honda Civic GX runs purely off of .90/gallon natural gas and costs around the price of a regular new Civic. Generous tax credits are available with the purchase of a new CNG vehicle. The state needs to encourage this growth of partial-zero emission automobiles that run off of Oklahoma-produced natural gas. Oklahoma can become the leader in this innovative new way to become environmentally responsible and energy independent. |
|
TOPIC: Children & Youth
I would like to see our state strive to become the most Child- & Youth-Friendly State in the United States. Starting in each our our communities, I would like us to take stock of our priorities, and realize that there is so much more that we can do for our children. For instance, I think a good starting point would be to establish programs to help parents and families in crisis. Another suggestion would be to form neighborhood support networks, and partnerships among current social programs that these families can turn to in times of turmoil, in order to eliminate the threat of frustrations being taken out on children. It is urgent that we invest in our children and families. By doing so, we are investing in our future.
Thank you for this forum. |
|
TOPIC: Government
Resolution on Efficient Government Agencies
WHEREAS better government tends to be less government, and
WHEREAS all bureaucracies tend to expand, with more and more people tending to do less and less work, and
WHEREAS the normal system for funding any government bureau is for that bureau to propose the budget for their next fiscal year, and that this budget is always larger than the current budget, and
WHEREAS it is a well known and quite understandable reaction of any bureau to make sure that the current year’s budget has been spent by the end of the fiscal year, even on unnecessary projects, else they lose it, and
WHEREAS personal interest should have every employee watching for any possible waste of the taxpayer’s dollars,
THEREFORE a new budgeting policy for each bureau shall be established, and
THEREFORE any unspent budgeted funds at the end of the fiscal year shall be divided up and paid out to the employees in that bureau, and
THEREFORE, then the lower budget figure, pre-disbursement, would be used for the next fiscal year, with, again, any unspent surplus being distributed to the employees who made the surplus possible, and
THEREFORE this new budgeting method shall be the policy for all government bureaus at the local, state and federal level.
No money would be saved the first year, but from then on every department would have continuously lowering budgets. Could the cost of running the state be cut in half in three years? I think so. The bottom line would be far more efficient and less costly state services.
Idea originally from Wayne Green |
|
TOPIC: civil rights
without going into a lot a details this is a very simple concept. there is a reason we do not hear about civil rights or civil liberty issues in oklahoma. we don't have any.
take a look at the recent problems with dhs. needs no further explanation. we treat each other horribly and that comes from a historical fact. we stole land that was stolen from indians and are proud to be a 'sooner'. frightning!!!!
regarless of those protections we currently offer by law in a minimal list (race, creed, etc.) we are still intolerant of those that do not meet our myopic standards. no matter what other liberties our government may secure we are still not equal to enjoy them.
we maintain a maximum security federal jail facility in downtown oklahoma city. violations such as traffic infractions are handled in a way that demeans human dignity.
these practices also follow to our state labor laws where 'at will' abuses occur daily. no one will come to oklahoma, regardless of how nice we appear, to raise a family or start a business where conditions are sub-human. we don't even provide sidewalks for our youth or disabled residents and public safety issues in oklahoma are non-existent.
i dare you to put this on the top 100 list. i'm sure some bubble gum issues will make the list and be far more politically safe than what i'm suggesting.
with disdain and interest i submit the above idea, david walch.
|
|
TOPIC: New Oklahoma
I believe Oklahoma must change if its to be a World or even a "Player" in National and International Issue ,Trade, Economics,Education, ect...! My Big Idea or 100 Idea is that. Tulsa and Oklahoma City are made into 1 metropolis Land developed on what is now Turner Turnpike. Useing 30 miles to the North and South along the Turner. I think we should look too our selfs in more self governing less as apart of the other 49 states. We have great natural resources with abundant amount of Human Intelligence! This New Oklahoma should not focus on Oil but be POD communities, Monorail Speed Trains as the Pedestrian traffic Mover,electric cars, Build recreation New Universities, Trade School of Buisness, The Are should be for the Most part very dense with large park Ranges! I want Oklahoma too be its best! We should look to end Poverty,Create the best Science & Math Labs the world has ever seen! The rest of the State can be for R&R Fishing,Hunting, I think We should look to build a city of at the Least 3-4 Million Betwen Tulsa/OKC.That our govering be self! WE need too be A Futuristic State of ART! Welcome to NEW OKLAHOMA |
|
TOPIC: alcohol and bars
Eliminate bars and alcohol sales and consumption in such settings. With all the accidents, fights, shootings, and killings that go on in bars where alcohol is consumed, around the state, and family neglect associated with it, I can't understand why we as civilized, intelligent, concerned, decent, law-abiding citizens tolerate it!
|
|
TOPIC: Tourism
Get rid of the 3.2% Beer law in the state of Oklahoma! Loosen the alcohol and booze regulations. Oklahoma has a bad reputation for being know as a "3-2 State". By getting rid of the "3-2 Rule" you looking at more people possibly booking conventions and group outing here, less people going to Kansas, Texas and Arkansas to buy beer (let's keep the money in state) and added advertising revenue from the beer companies pumped into the state's economy.
It's really embarassing to live in a state with such backwards thinking.
The residents of the state of Oklahoma deserve to drink full strength Budweiser, Miller Lite and Coors Light. We also deserve to be able to go into a liquor store and pick up a cold 6-pack of beer.
Oklahoma, you are now 100 years old.... it's time to grow up!
-Ryan Giles
Tulsa, OK |
|
TOPIC: Veterans Health Care
I believe our veterans deserve the best health care possible. I think they should be able to see the doctor of their choice and use the hospital of their choice. Some of our veterans who need medical attention have to travel too far to a veteran's hospital. |
|
TOPIC: Health care insurance
Pass a tax rebate law for out of pocket insurance premiums that are not covered by any employer. |
|
TOPIC: pet medical expenses
Thi is my Idea: Include pet medical and dental expenses that you can deduct on your taxes when treated by a veterinarian. This may encourage owners to have their pets "fixed" |
|
TOPIC: Free Market Education
The 10th plank of the Communist Manifesto is "Free education for all children in public schools." Communism is a failed experiment. The United States is a capitalist country. Innovation within the Free Market is one of the greatest strengths of the United States.
THE GOAL OF STATE GOVERNMENT IN EDUCATION IS TO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE FUNDS TO EDUCATE CHILDREN - NOT TO SIMPLY FUND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS! Public education is a monopoly, and monopolies don't work.
Parents will do what is best for their children when they have a choice. State regulation on local school districts need to be trimmed and the State should simply be in the business of directing funds to whatever school a child attends whether the school is a public school, private school, charter school, etc.
|
|
TOPIC: Judiciary
I have had the misfortune to witness on an almost daily basis, judges violating even the mose basic rights of citizens. Judges have no accountability to anyone other than themselves. Although we all make mistakes, a judge should know the law and apply it correctly. If the judge makes a mistake with law then the appeals court can intervene, however, if a judge is blatant about violating a citizens rights then he or she deserves nothing less than jail time.
I have witnessed complete and total violation of the rights of the citizens of Oklahoma in the courts. I have seen judges lie, I have seen attorneys cheat their clients under the noses of judges and nothing happens to stop any of it.
We need court reform and the people who blatantly violate the law should go to prison.
The judiciary needs to be accountable to the people where currently they are not.
Also, we need to remove, from the statutes, complete judicial descretion, which actually means that a judge can do whatever he wants in a case and still not be violating those statutes.
Greg |
|
TOPIC: Health Insurance
If people who rarely use their Medicare insurance were given some sort of premium there would be less Medicare abuse. There would be less visits to doctors and less prescriptions filled that could lead to lower insurance costs. |
|
TOPIC: Home Health
Home Health Agencies should operate in districts where they are located. This would cut down on travel expense and give the aides and nurses more time to spend with their patients. Too much money is spend for administration, cutting down on the care for or our elderly citizens.
Health Care is a wonderful program and I hope we will never have to be without it, but there are still room for improvements. |
|
TOPIC: Ethics and Elections
Require all Oklahoma Representatives and Senators, who do not pay their taxes, be they personal, property or other, to resign their legislative position immediately when this is verified through a legitimate and fair investigation. |
|
TOPIC: Smoking at Will Rogers Airport
As a frequent business traveler through our beautifully renovated Will Rogers World Airport, I am dismayed to see that we have done a poor job with planning the redesign of the building as it relates to the placement of approved "smoking locations". Visitors to our state, as well as frequent travelers like myself, are met with a barrage of cigarette smoke at the primary exit point from the airport to the outside, near baggage claim. If there is a minimal distance from the doors that these areas are supposed to located, that distance is not being enforced in any way. While the solution to the underlying problem of cigarette smoking is beyond the scope of this "idea", it remains a public health issue of prime importance to improving the overall health of our state. However, if we want to improve the image of our state, and encourage business development through corporate relocation to Oklahoma, let's not continue to perpetuate its characterization as such an unhealthy place to live. Let's work to move these approved smoking areas to a location that does not also negatively impact the non-smokers who frequent the airport and as well as visitors to our great state.
|
|
TOPIC: Teaching Evolution in Government Schools
Request from State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Sandy Garrett, and/or the Education Oversight Board Office of Accountability, in report form, an answer to the question of whether the universe was created by a supreme being.
The objective is to formally prod the Department of Education into a dialogue about the teaching of evolution in school science classes without also teaching the alternative of “creationism,” or “intelligent design.”
If Ms. Garrett answers “no” to the question – stating that the universe was not created by a supreme being – she would be offered “the Legislature’s admiration for being able to decide conclusively a question that has long perplexed and occupied the attention of scientists, philosophers, theologians, educators and others.”
But if she answers yes, or states that the answer to the creation of the universe is uncertain, then a follow-up question must also be answered: “Why is creationism not being taught in Oklahoma schools?”
This would also give Ms. Garrett the opportunity to say, ‘You’re wrong. There is no creationism.’
|
|
TOPIC: Litter
Check at almost any park, along any street, outside business establishments, and many other places, and you'll find bottles/containers where inconsiderate people have disposed of them.
Solution: Charge a deposit on bottles which would be returned when they return the bottles/containers/cans. A few possibilities here: 1. People might clean up after themselves. 2. Provide income for the panhandlers on the street corners. 3. Provide income for the kids in the family. 4. Keep this material out of the landfills. |
|
TOPIC: Litter
Check against the curb at almost any traffic light ( good one is at 74th and May -on the side where Williams Supermarket is) or in front of almost any business establishment, and you will see sometimes hundreds of cigarette butts where inconsiderate people have discarded them.
Solution: Charge a $1.00 per pack deposit., which they get back when they return the cigarette butt. Three things might happen: 1. This might encourage them to clean up their own mess. 2. They might get tired of the trouble and the smell and quit smoking. 3. This could provide income to the guys standing on the corner, at the sime time helping clean up the environment. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Get the government out of education. Separate "school and state" so that government (and especially Democrats) won't be held hostage to teachers and the teacher's union. |
|
TOPIC: taxation
Eliminate taxes on businesses and corporations. I cannot understand why we would ever want to tax business which we rely on for employment of our citizens and services for our people. We want and need more businesses not fewer. |
|
TOPIC: Welfare Reform
Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no problem. I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. But shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them? Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?
|
|
TOPIC: Taste of Oklahoma
Well my idea is very much in the works, which is to have a yearly food fest event called Taste of Oklahoma. This event would feature Oklahoma made food products and Oklahoma own restuarants. This event would be similar to Taste of Dallas or Taste of Chicago, events that are attended by thousands every year. Please visit www.tasteofoklahoma.org and see what we are trying to do. Also, help us bring this idea into a reality. Taste of Oklahoma will help Oklahoma tourism and our economy. |
|
TOPIC: Children need both parents
At one time I asked Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott to use his power and position to suggest positive methods to encourage the payment of child support.
For example, if a noncustodial parent always paid his child support in full and on time, the state could enforce his period of possession, give him a tax break, or allow him to see his children more often. Currently the AG only has negative methods of encouragement; fines, interest, revocation of licenses, harassment, and jail.
AG Abbot told me he cannot make a proposal like this because it is the legislators' job to initiate such changes.
So I was more than a little dismayed to read, "Texas AG proposes children's health insurance program" (Sherman TX Herald Democrat, 1-11-08, page 2).
Why is it that our AG only accentuates the negative -- and only for the parent ordered to live apart from his children? Why is he only fleecing the pockets of the noncustodial father? Why doesn't he go after the custodial parent or married couples?
Dads routinely get the burnt end of the stick in the sheesh-kabob of divorce; their only fault is being born male. Now Greg Abbott wants to saddle the disenfranchised father with more debt.
Our lawmakers who believe children only need their fathers every other weekend are wrong. Kids could benefit from equal access to both parents. It is time to stop viewing noncustodial fathers as wallets, and start ensuring their rights as parents. Our children are worth it. |
|
TOPIC: Economy via Liberty
It may seem unreal (Orwellian), but in my experience,
Federal Child Welfare Funds
are going towards commission of “actual mental abuse, constructive kidnapping and malicious harassments of children” under guise of “for children.”
It is abhorrent and a sickening co-dependent disease of operatives.
This is our state(s) on the Federal Dole.
Any questions?
The answer is already known.
Just say NO! (to the Federal Dole)
Help us stop IV-mainliners.
-----
Until we secure persons in their liberty, person, homes, families and children; we may find "little red hens" tiring all across this great land.
We can and must restore hope. Liberty would seem to present as a great start.
We are and must remain diligent guardians to the bequests of our inheritance, and for also the benefit of our children, grandchildren and for all brothers and sisters in charity.
Sincerely,
Walter
|
|
TOPIC: INNOVATE
Business- We are not attracting new businesses in Oklahoma because we're taxing them to death. Let's give them a reason to want to come to Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Legislative
Performance Based Legislators.
Pay a bare minimum salary and reward the legislative members with Health Insurance, Raises, and Retirement Benefits based on a point system.. Other such requirements could be attendance of the sessions, filing tax paper, and votes cast.
|
|
TOPIC: Horse Racing
Hey this state needs to do more to promote the Horse Racing here in Oklahoma! We are seeing an influx of out of state horses and the industry is growing rapidly again! Alot of Oklahoma Bred horses cant compete with the out of state guys. The state needs to allow more of just Oklahoma bred races. Also we could use 2 or 3 more racetracks here in this state, this is a million dollar industry and we need to make it keep growing! |
|
TOPIC: Judicial Accountability
Recently Forbes Magizine compared Oklahoma to North Korea regarding a Judges order to have 3 citizens arrested for distributing a petion fot the TABOR ballot intiative.
Judges in EVERY court room in Oklahoma are violating law and The Constitution daily by legislating from the bench. Judges who do have a complaint filed against them, have a secret report filed to The Judicial Council with it's annonymos memebers ,all Judges and Lawyers
who take action in less than 1% of the cases. Go to www.jail4judges.org for the solution. |
|
TOPIC: Legislators
Any state legislator who does not submit an income tax form should be forced to resign. It is a slap in the face to the rest of us tax paying citizens. Some example this sats for the rest of us. |
|
TOPIC: Energy
Oklahoma should concentrate its efforts into becoming a comprehensive energy state to include: oil, natural gas, biofuels, geothermal, solar, wind. Solar, geothermal, wind and biofuels should be aggressively promoted with carefull considerations to environment, practicality, public opinion and economics. Oklahoma will be able to export energy and green certificates associated with green energy. Making the state more energy efficient and more efficient in using all resources, including water, gas, etc, is essential for "freeing up" energy for export. Also, with green energy available, we will be able to attract energy intensive industries, which tend to have highly skilled well paid jobs. "Greener" state will allow for eco-tourism, more retirees and high-tech companies. Businesses will make money, people will enjoy clean air, state will collect taxes, and because of diversification, economic growth will be more stable.
Temur Akhmedov, local green business owner |
|
TOPIC: Tourism and Economic Development
I read in the fall issue of "Rails-to-Trails" magazine, the magazine of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, of the economic benefits of rail trails. The report detailed the economic impact of a rail in northeastern Pennsylvania. The report is available on the "resources" section the RTC web site, www.railstotrails.org. After reading the report, I thought of the numerous active and abandoned rail lines through Oklahoma. Many of these rail lines have their origins in our state's oil fields. I think walking, bicycyling, and equestrian trails along these active and abandoned rail lines could be developed along an oil field history theme. Such development would bring tourism money into many economically challenged areas of Oklahoma. With an oil theme, perhaps private and public monies could be combined to develop the trails.
One such trail is near realization. The Osage Trail spans between OSU-Tulsa and Skiatook. Once this trail extends to Barnsdall, the trail could tell the oil history of Barnsdall and of Osage County. Once the trail reaches Barnsdall, opportunities will present themselves for businesses that cater to bicyclists, walkers, and horseback riders. Once at Barnsdall, a next extension of the rail trail could go to Pawhuska with its deep oil and Native American roots. |
|
TOPIC: cleaning up oklahoma
I moved to Ok. last year and I am shocked by the amount of trash and debris that is all over the state. i have never lived where toronados are a big threat but it seems to me that before a town or city gets Toronado Ready designation, they should have to do something about all the debris that would be flying around in the case of a tornado. There are old cars and metal everywhere. I think there should be some sort of state initative to sell this scrap metal or a penalty if you don't keep your space clean. I have traveled quite a bit around the United States, I think I have visited 1/2 or more of the 50 states and Oklahoma seems to be the one with the most trash or debris just stacked up everywhere. I was shocked to know it was the 100 birthday and no one seemed to adress this. It is not in 1 particular area, it seems to be widespread over the state. My idea is to do more to Keep the Land Grand. This is a pretty state and the people seem very nice, but they need some motivation to pick up the state and keep it clean. Perhaps if the state started a program for the towns and counties to be rewarded there would be more pride in how things looked.
Thank you,
Marilyn Vandeveer |
|
TOPIC: Farmers
I read in the Oklahoman that a pumpkin farmer in Clinton went out of business because he could not find labor to harvest his pumpkins. We have non violate prisoners sitting in prisons all over the state. Why not hire out some of these people for this kind of work.Especially, since 1804 has caused much of this kind of labor to leave the state. |
|
TOPIC: Economic Dev.
Let dog pounds and animal control centers, that have proper staffing, give immunizations shots to animals that are pets--they could benefit from the extra money and save money for pet owners. |
|
TOPIC: Support Langston University
The Oklahoma legislature must commit more resources to Langston University, the only Historically Black College or University in Oklahoma and the farthest western public HBCU in the country. This great institution has a rich history and the state is undermining it by not supporting it financially. Langston University graduates contribute to the economy of Oklahoma just as much as OU or OSU alum. Langston University, is a land grant historically Black institution of higher learning, that will continue its rich tradition of developing leaders from a diverse, multi-cultural student body through excellent teaching, research, community service and public and private sector partnerships. Under the leadership of Dr. JoAnn W. Haysbert, Langston University continues to move from Excellence to Greatness. Langston will be recognized for providing solutions to problems facing underserved populations in Oklahoma, the nation, and the world. But this cannot be done without the assistance of Great State of Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Many people drive gas guzzling SUVs and heavy trucks when they might otherwise only need a small efficient car. One reason for this is the extra costs involved in insuring multiple vehicles. Why not have an option to insure the driver for any vehicle he may drive instead of on a per-vehicle basis. One person can only drive a certain number of hours a day anyway. Of course there would have to be limits on vehicle types and unauthorized drivers. This would encourage people to own more special purpose vehicles and to drive the minimum necessary vehicle on each trip saving massive amounts of fuel. |
|
TOPIC: Alternative Fuel Resources
Start by passing legislation that requires gas stations to have at least one ethanol pump. Offer tax breaks to people who convert their cars to run on ethanol or to those who buy Flex-Fuel vehjcles.
On state-owned lands, such as the medians between the lanes of turnpikes and highways, plant prairie switchgrass. Any expanse of grassland would do. Harvest the switchgrass once or possibly twice a yrear and process it and make ethanol.
We were a leader in the production and use of fossil fuels in the last century, why not be a leader in renewable resources in this century? My idea may not be the best, but I think this line of thought would be a step in the right direction. |
|
TOPIC: Education / Vision Therapy
Broaden vision screening in early childhood and elementary grades to include more than visual acuity (20/20 clarity). Encourage broad access to vision therapy.
I believe these two simple actions would radically increase school performance. Vision problems are very often misdiagnosed as learning disabilities in otherwise very bright children. The results of vision therapy are dramatic, quick, sustained, and cost-effective.
For more information, see:
http://www.visiontherapystories.org/index.html |
|
TOPIC: Store scames
You know how some custumers tell a checker that some item is on sale at another store? Well my ideal is to have a link to each store that deal with cupons or comp adds, so that the teller can check to see if an item is on sale or not. At another store or not. Say your at Wal-Mart and a customer tells the teller that that item is on sale at K-mart. With a push of that stores Button all the sales items are at there finger tips. |
|
TOPIC: energy
There are many companies ( like the one I work for ) that have sufficent technology in place to have a most of the employees work at home, access the company computer system via internet and use a bussiness phone or cell phone -- I communte 55 miles daily -- a reduction from 5 to 2 days a week commuting would save 12-15 gals of gas per week min -- it would save my company money for maintaning the work space , cut down on Tulsa county ( and Rogers ) county road congestion and corresponding costs --
Many companies have this capability -- if the governtment could come up with a plan to encourage , and even 20% bussinesses could use full or part time the energy savings could be hugh |
|
TOPIC: Abstracts
Oklahoma is the last holdout on abstracts. They are an antiquated system of transferring real estate & should be replaced with title insurance laws. Title insurance is always recommended when purchasing real estate in spite of the cost of building, examining, reading & storing these ancient manuscripts.
Please consider this as a means of modernizing our great state.
Thank you. |
|
TOPIC: Energy conservation
We live in a rural area that has many 4-way stop signs. Some of these you may only see cross-traffic coming from the intersecting road a couple times a month. One particular intersection is at the base of a steep hill. To have to come to a complete stop, especially when pulling a load or trailer, then regain momentum to go up the hill, uses a lot of fuel.
I propose a "4-way Yield", that would allow you to keep going where you can CLEARLY see there is no cross traffic. As it already is, if 2 motorists come to a 4-way stop at the same time, it becomes the same kind of scenario, where human kindness decides who goes first. (This is often the most social event in our days out here, with grins and waves!)
There could even be two colors of Yield signs, say the current yellow, and also a red or orange Yield. (subject to current research on color-blindness) Then if two vehicles approach at the same time from different roads, one designated color would have the right of way, the other would completely stop.
I chose this idea after having first considered stop signs on the less traveled road, yield on the more traveled. But that would leave confusion, because the guy at the Yield would wonder if he had to let the guy at the Stop go first. And, the probability is that the less traveled road would have vehicles that come to the intersection and also find no other traffic, and should not need to stop completely.
The main thing that is needed is ENFORCEABLE safety, which definitely requires at least slowing. One other option would be to create a completely new sign, something like "SLOW or STOP".
We have an opportunity as Oklahomans to begin an effort that could be an example to other states that also have many rural roads, many of which are used by larger vehicles hauling loads, or even just "gas guzzlers", who have to stop repeatedly, (sometimes every mile), where there are no other vehicles. With increasing fuel costs, I believe that the public would not mind having to "retrain" to this idea.
Toss this idea around, modify it, but PLEASE, make something work!
Thanks!
|
|
TOPIC: Environment
Land owners should be encouraged to pick up the trash on their easement as well as maintain the grass. The penalty for littering and dumping needs to be enforced. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Stop providing subsidies and tuition waivers to Oklahoma College Students.
You are driving up the cost of a college education for regular folks.
It is just Economics 101...if you give free college education to a certain class of students, the other classes must make up the actual cash cost. This also increases demand and creates the environment to raise prices, salaries and benefits, without a corresponding increase in educational productivity.
Take the Higher Ed and Pre K education bureaucracies off of the state funding "nipple". And, that includes the outrageously overfunded Oklahoma Vo Tech systems.
|
|
TOPIC: personal liberty
There has been a recent surge in the harassment and detainment of innocent people with cameras and camcorders by Police and security personnel in various places in the united states, including shopping centers, but most notably in such public places as the streets of New York City.
They cite the use of such image and video capturing devices as a "security" and "terrorism" risk, even though the use of such items violates no public laws. In fact, by going into public, you consent to the possibility of your image being captured by another person.
Such incidents have included the Police trying to shut off or confiscate cameras and camcorders after the bystanders operating them used them to catch the Police in precarious situations, such as engaging in behavior unbefitting of uniformed Public Servants.
One Police officer justified his confiscation of a bystander's camera, after the man used the camera to document an unlawful warrantless search by the officer, by saying that he percieved that the man might use the camera as a physical weapon against him. This, despite the fact that the man was nowhere near the officer, was not involved in the incident at all, and was not making any threats of violence, physical or verbal, whatsoever -- but was merely standing back and videotaping.
Yet, in the face of all of this, more and more videocameras are being placed in and around public areas by city officials and law enforcement for the purpose of protecting us, but these tapes are not made available to the public, in many cases, citing legality, and even when they are made available, there is no guarantee that they have not been edited or tampered with.
Oklahoma needs to pioneer legislation to protect the civil rights of its citizens by putting into writing, and putting into law, a citizen's right to bear and use still-image, video, and audio capture devices (cameras, video cameras, and audio recorders) in public places without threat of confiscation or detainment by law enforcement or other security personnel.
Furthermore, it should be made a case of theft for a law enforcement officer or other personal security personnel to confiscate such items wrongfully, or return such items without the tapes (or with damaged tapes) on which the images or audio were recorded.
In the unlikely event that a recording device IS used as a weapon, or a threat is made or justifiably percieved in which such an item is used as a weapon, the unaltered contents of the device should be made mandatory evidence in court, and the defence given full access to it.
|
|
TOPIC: Education
Pass a law forbiding local school districts from being the collector of union dues for the Okalahoma Education Association and Local Teacher's Union Associations. Why should we spend money collecting union dues for a radical teacher labor unions that are always creating havoc and demanding "more for less"? |
|
TOPIC: Education
Funding for education should follow the student!
Parents and students should decide the type of education they prefer.
Government housing failed just like government education has failed, but government housing did not have a unionized government employee in every apartment like public education has a unionized teacher in every classroom.
If government (public) housing had been designed like public education, we would still have very expensive public housing programs providing miserable living conditions at a very high cost.
You see, MONOPLIES, whether they are public or private, provide poor products and services at very high rates. And, public education is the largest monopoly in America today.
A recent GAAP Accounting for public education by the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (ocpa.org) "Education in Oklahoma-The Real Costs" has concluded that public education costs well above $7,500 per student.
Yes, government (public) education in Oklahoma is more expensive than almost all private schools!
And, we have not even talked about the damage the Radical Teachers Union has done to the State of Oklahoma.
|
|
TOPIC: Community Building
Develop a web site similar to EBay. This site is a place where teaches, preachers and other approved community volunteers can list specific needs. A first grader needs help with reading. A 6th grader needs a coat. A 10th grader needs a mentor. The web site could use an address like www.oklacares.com.
I believe that people are good and that they wish to help others. Years ago, everyone belonged to some type of civic organization. Today, most people do not belong to civic organizations. This web site would allow individuals to help other members of their community with out having to attend a meeting to find out what needs exist. You could enter in your search criteria and get a list of things to pick from. Maybe you want to know everything within 2 miles of your home or you may want to help a homeless high school student.
The person fulfilling the need would work with the person listing the need. In no case would the person in need be listed by name. I also think it might be a good idea to keep the listing persons identity anonymous.
If it could be done at a state wide level, I would recommend creating competition at the county level. You might also want to create a rating system like Ebay and allow the posters to rate the individuals who fulfill the posted needs. Have the governor host a dinner for the top 10 or 20 rated individuals each year. Maybe even offer a tax credit for every 500 points earned.
I am willing to work extensively on this project but do not believe I can make it happen without statewide participation. I have proposed it to my Leadership Oklahoma classmates but we did not have enough participation to launch. I am the founder/owner of Sandy Beaches Software. We thought the software could be developed as part of a masters program at one of the state universities. We would be willing to donate our programming staff to oversee and or coordinate the development of the software.
At launch it would take a statewide campaign. My office number is (405)603-6150 x104. Be aware that email to me is generally not accepted. If your email address isn't in my list of approved addresses, the email is sent to my spam box.
|
|
TOPIC: Improve Roads of Oklahoma
Oklahoma needs to improve the major interstate highways and roads in Oklahoma... for example one of the major interstate junctions with a poor design is the southbound merge lanes from I-240 E to I-35 South.... The on ramp area is too congested and traffic backs up on I-240E....creating a traffic hazard.
Also, I-40 East of Oklahoma City to the Arkansas border is in very rough shape now..... We need to spend more of our road money on improving our roads and short on ramps especially in Oklahoma City area...
Thanks for the the 100 Ideas project to improve our great state in the next 100 yrs .
Sincerely, Neva Link |
|
TOPIC: Immigration
Everyone always adds up what illegal immigration costs the state, but never adds up how it benefits the state.
YES it would better if these individuals were LEGAL, but since there is not a practical worker program in place we've must have them here the way they are.
You only have to look around to see these folks working at almost every restaurant, every hotel/motel, every construction site, every landscape company and every plant nursery just to name a very, few industries.
As an example, one could add up all the costs associated with water, such as flooding, landslides, errosion, corrosion/rust, drownings, ruined clothing, dirty cars, leaking houses, and so on and so forth, and it would add up to billions of dollars, but how much more would it cost if it never rained again.
I KNOW that the cost of illegal immigration is at least negated, if not outweighted, by the benefits.
These people are doing the jobs no one else wants to do. Paying higher wages to try and attract American workers will only result in higher costs for the consumer.
We can't expect certain occupation to pay "living wages." How can we pay dishwashers at a restaurant, for example, a living wage and expect to be able afford to eat in restaurants?
I know that there are very, very, very few business owners (who have more than just a few employees) that are complaining about Illegal immigration. These business owners have lived it. Those who complain have not.
|
|
TOPIC: Drivers License
Offer Drivers liscence to foreign, undocumented persons with an anotation that "THIS PERSON IS UN-DOCUMENTED." That way they can at least drive legally and get insurance instead of driving without insurance and creating all sorts of problems if in an accident.
Of course, since the license anotates that the person is undocumented, the police could report this person to the Immigration.....
The person would need to have a birth certificate and other idnentification documentation from their country and take the drivers license test to get a license.
|
|
TOPIC: Limit # of Gov't employees
NOTED THAT OK PLACE #3 ON THE HIGHEST # OF PEOPLE ON GOV'T PAYROLL.
THAT IS OUTRAGES. GOV'T EMPLOYEES DO NOT CONTRIBUTE. THEY TAKE FROM THE TAXPAYERS. MANY HAVE OVERLAPPING JOBS.
CUTTING THIS EMBARRASING NUMBER OF GOV'T EMPLOYEES WOULD HELP OK |
|
TOPIC: Kerosene
For some reason Kerosene is considered a solvent in this state.
It is used extensively in other states as a heating fuel.
During this past ice storm I went searching for this fuel to no avail.
I was told that one of the Hardware Stores had it, but sold it all.
It was $35.00 per 5 gal. can, and you got to keep the can. $7.00 per gal.
I found 1 gas station @ Westminster & E. Reno that had it in the ground, but couldn't pump because the electric was out.
It was $4.65 per gal. that way. This is outrageous.
He told me he had to get it from Coffeeville Kan.
Ridiculous!
"Kerosene needs to be labeled as a heating fuel", as other states do.
What do they charge for heating fuel in N.Y.C.?
I bet it isn't $4.65 or $7.00 per gallon.
"Many folks are using it for emergencys", or everyone would not be sold out.
And 5 gallons cans were not to be found either.
How it got this way, I don't know. Money is my guess.
But it does need to be changed back to a heating fuel in Ok. like other states.
Thank You,
H.Lee Hubbard |
|
TOPIC: Attracting Talent
"South Dakota isn't for everyone" and honestly neither is Oklahoma, so when I read the Wall Street Journal article about South Dakota's efforts to attract former residents, it seemed natural for us to do the same. We should have a website like theirs - http://www.dakotaroots.com/ . There are many talented and professional former Oklahomans who would love to move "back home" but are hindered due to their jobs and this would provide as a perfect low to moderate recruitment tool.
Referenced article "Ex-residents Are Gone, But They're Not Forgotten" by Conor Dougherty B1 of Wednesday, December 26, 2007, Wall Street Journal |
|
TOPIC: Using Our Technology
Use wind and solar power to help power homes and businesses. It will use less natural resources |
|
TOPIC: Mass Transit
I feel that there are alot of improvements that need to me made with regards to mass transit within the Oklahoma City Metro. The bus system that we have is not good enough. Currently, the buses do not operate after 7 pm forcing commuters to find other alternatives that are not always cost effective. Alot of car owners who have expressed interest in using the bus as an alternative means to get to their respective places are put off with the irregularity of this medium of transport and also they may be living in areas not served by buses. Also, when you consider that you would have to ride to the terminal downtown inorder to connect to another bus that would take you to your destination. While this is not entirely a major issue, there still should be an easier way to connect to a different route without necessarily having to go through the terminal. I feel that with an expansion in routes, extended operating hours (including Sundays) and better frequency times, there would definately be an increase in the dependence on mass transit. |
|
TOPIC: Strangulation from "Pork"
During 2007, the U.S. Congress approved over 11,900 earmarks ("pork" spending projects) at a cost of over $9 billion. The majority of these projects are frivolous, and serve little purpose other that to gain votes and favors from the constituents concerned. If all of this were not bad enough, additional pork comes in the form of no-bid contracts whereby billions of tax dollars are expended as a means to repay wealthy, politically powerful special interests providing support for certain politicians. Yet another form of pork is the billions of dollars expended for spare parts that are not needed, and even marked for destruction (or disposal) upon receipt. This is simply another way to direct funds to special interests. Similar patterns of corruption exist at the state level. The public needs to be better informed as regards these many corrupt practices, and the politicians responsible need to be defeated at the polls. |
|
TOPIC: Apprentice Programs
The construction and restaurant industries use to be a good trade/skill for Americans till the industries in the 1970 started hiring illegals for half the price of Americans. Since the new immigration bill has passed, Oklahoma needs to start Apprentice programs hand-in-hand with business to replace the illegal workers. This would more teach a good trade to young and old legal Americans and put our people back to work. |
|
TOPIC: taxes
You should let us only pay 75% of the taxes. |
|
TOPIC: Abstracting
With Oklahoma and Iowa as the two remaining states who have abstracts of title, I feel it is well past time for Oklahoma to go to title insurance for properties changing hands or mortgage companies lending money on homes or businesses. Having been an abstracter and owner of an abstract company for a number of years, I saw borrowers and purchasers of land get double-charged for proving the marketability of a title. Abstracts are unnecessary in property transactions when all lenders and most buyers require title insurance as well. |
|
TOPIC: Mobility
Bring our state to the front end of mobility in America by connecting its two largest markets with a high speed rail (HSP) line. Imagine being able to travel between the two largest cities in less than one hour. We could easily market the two as one. It would be just as easy to market events, jobs, other opportunities occuring in Oklahoma City to Tulsans and visa versa. We would have the ablity to market ourselves (inter)nationally as a center with over 2 mil. in population. Connect the Capitol with the line. The rail line could transform and incent continued reinvestment in the urban centers and change the way urban Oklahomans live and impact our treasured rural landscapes. Reinvestment in our urban centers could help retain our young with vibrant active urban lifestyles that attract them elsewhere. Attractive urban centers would attract others to our state. A HSP would relieve traffic from I-44. It would be a multi statement. It would also be an environmentally sound investment; a cleaner more efficient mode of transportation. If there were local trains mixed in with direct OKC - Tulsa trains it could spur economic development in Chandler, Stroud, Bristow and Sapulpa.
I think we should go further and invest in the rail between OKC and Ft. Worth to allow trains to travel faster and shorten that trip as well as look for ways to continue a rail to Kansas City and/or St. Louis. Use Tulsa as the rail hub and connect to booming NW Arkansas. |
|
TOPIC: Computerized Abstract of Title
It is my understanding that Oklahoma is one of the few (less than 3) states left in the nation that uses the hard copy abstract of title for property sales. All other states are computerized. Having been a Realtor for 14 years and having operated in 2 other states besides Oklahoma, I can assure you that this greatly impedes the property transfer process. In other states, one can have clear title within 24 hours. Here, I have personally experienced the process of clearing title to take over 6 months.
The general consensus among real estate professionals is that the powers that be often own interest in abstracting companies and are not willing to part with the profit these companies generate.
It seems that title companies still make money in all the other states. I would venture even more so since transactions can happen faster.
Hard copy abstracting is antiquated at best. It is holding back real estate development at worst. I have experienced real estate booms in other cities. I venture that the such a boom would happen in Tulsa and Oklahoma City as a direct result of computerizing title information. These cities are ripe for it. And you can quote me on that! |
|
TOPIC: Panhandlers
i think some sort of basic, state-funded work should be offered to the city's panhandlers such as road, park, or equipment cleaning, and then punishment for panhandling should be increased and more strictly enforced. Offenders should be penalized with community service. Either way, people are put to work.
Personally, over the past four years, i've engaged in conversations with at least three dozen panhandlers who solicit in the parking lot where i work (some of them i still see on a regular basis). They all wanted cash or free food (i'm a BBQ cook). But none of them were interested when i offered to help them get to the nearest shelter or soup kitchen, only one in four years was actually interested in knowing where to find a job (some were willing however to perform a chore in exchange for immediate cash-in-hand), and some of them flatly admitted to me that they panhandle by choice because they make plenty of money doing it.
i think there should be plenty of help offered to those who are genuinely "down on their luck" but are looking for legitimate opportunities for work and contribution to our community. i think it's great that there are shelters that offer help to those who genuinely need help to "get back on their feet."
However, this class of 'professional panhandlers' are by and large not being dealt with in my opinion. Surely it can't be good for those selling their homes who wonder how a panhandler on the nearest intersection affects the impression of potential buyers. Surely it can't be good for tourism when tourists attempting to enjoy our city and spend their money in our businesses are guilted out of their money by a panhandler. Surely it can't be good for local busineses that lose customers who don't want to return to a location where panhandlers wander the parking lot soliciting.
Some program which gives them very little option but to get off of street corners and learn to earn their own money is seriously needed in my opinion. |
|
TOPIC: Dependent School Districts
I think the Dependent school districts should be forced to consolidate or merge with an Independent School District. I live in the Independent Tahlequah School District which takes in high school students from several dependent districts. From what I understand, no ad valorem tax money follows the students when they go to Tahlequah High School. That means that I am paying for the students from the dependent districts to go to high school, and their parents are not paying their fair share.
I realize that the Dependent districts would not be in favor of this proposal, so I would like to suggest a first step. The dependent district should pay a certain amount equal to the amount that is determined that it costs the tax payers of the independent district to educate the student. This money would go to the independent district for every student from a dependent district going to the high school. I do realize that the district does get the state aid for each of the students, but I believe that there is no transfer of ad valorem funds from the dependent districts. |
|
TOPIC: No Call Lists`
I would like to have the "No Call" list expanded to include nonprofit organizations and politicians. I am tired of receiving calls for nonprofits which my caller ID identifies as "Unknown Name", "Unknown Number".
Since next year promises to be a wild election year, I know that we will be receiving many calls from politicians and their campaign committees. I wish there were a way to make them stop calling me. For the most part if I accidentally answer the call, I keep a list of the calls and do not vote for any politician who has the audacity to call me. |
|
TOPIC: Patriotic Choice Program
Oklahoma should lead all states in the implementation of the Patriotic Choice Program. The benefits are enormous:
*$14.3 million of new revenue each year to the state with no new taxes.
*$271.7 million diverted from Middle East oil and spent in Oklahoma.
*An alternative to high gasoline prices.
*A new method of transportation for Oklahomans. |
|
TOPIC: Role Model
In our great state we have many role models. Our teachers, parents, coaches, friends, even the famous. Unfortunately many children never have the opportunity to have someone to look up to. For children or adolescents who do not have role models we have programs like Big Brother Big Sister. The children who are entered into these programs do so because adults that care such as, a single mother or father enter them. What about the children who do not have parents, or how about the children who have parents that are not good influences? The state should devise a system to make sure every child has a good role model. To often children or adolescents find a group of friends their own age to look up to. All to often this group is impoverished, or neglected by their own loved ones. The results of these adolescent children being neglected is often crime, drug use/abuse, or dropping out of school. A brief story would be of a boy named Quincy. Quincy's father was in prison, and his mother died of a crack addiction when I was in the 9th grade. I've went to school with his two sisters since the sixth grade and new Quincy personally. By the time I was a senior in high school, Quincy was a trouble maker, and far above the average trouble maker. He had no role model, no one too look up to. His sisters did the best they could but with the loss of his mother, Quincy listened to no one. The last time I saw him it was because I broke up a fight he was in, in which he and another guy almost killed a kid. He's probably in jail now for assualt, theft, or whatever other trouble he might have gotten into. I firmly believe that if the state would have taken action and surrounded Quincy with positive influences his outcome might be different. By paying attention to childrens home lifes in school, I believe cases like Quincy's can be avoided in the future. |
|
TOPIC: CLEAN UP OKLAHOMA
I THINK THAT A TRASH CAN SHOULD BE STRATIGCALLY PLACED AROUND THE CITY.
EXAMPLE:
IF THERE IS AN AREA THAT ACCUMULATES A LOT OF TRASH THE HOW ABOUT PUTTING A THRASH CAN AT THAT LOCATION.
I SEE ALOT OF THRASH ON CORNERS BY CONVENIENT STORES.
MAYBE THAT WOULD HELP TO KEEP OKLAHOMA LOOKING GOOD! |
|
TOPIC: Road Construction Safety
I've noticed recently that speed limits are reduced in "Construction Zones," in areas where no construction occurs over a long period of time. For example, west of Oklahoma City on I-40, the speed limit is 55, but there are 6 lanes open total and no construction has happened for the past month or so. I noticed this on Will Rogers' Turnpike over the summer, also.
I think this is the reason why motorists ignore the speed limit postings in Construction Zones. So many times, you go through Construction Zones and there are no changes in the lanes and you don't see people working. I think it is similar to the "Boy Who Cried Wolf" story: People see Construction Zones all the time and become acclimated to ignoring the speed signs.
I know that there is a danger of construction workers being injured, so states have tried to raise traffic fines in Construction Zones. While this is one solution to the problem, I think that it would be more effective to possibly have signs outside of Construction Zones to let people know when work really is ensuing (Like "Work in Progress" or something similar). Perhaps the 55 speed limit signs would be posted on such days, but on days when no construction (or lane closures) is occuring, the lower speed limit signs could be covered up and the "Work in Progress" sign could be removed. I think a "Work in Progress" sign would go nicely on the orange diamond signs at the outside of Construction Zones.
I think more consistency with warnings and actual work would help motorists be careful on days when work really is occuring, to avoid injuries in accidents and to construction workers. |
|
TOPIC: Children of State University Employees
If you have worked at a state university for over 5 years, your child(ren) gets to attend the university where you are employed for free. This allows some children to attend college that might not get the opportunity to otherwise and would be a great employee benefit. Educate Oklahomans in Oklahoma....what an idea! |
|
TOPIC: Poison TV Trash
In March of 2007, law stated that standard televisions could no longer be sold in America. That is because, in Feb of 2009 all television signals will be broadcast in High Definition only, meaning you must either buy a new HDTV or purchase a special converter for your standard TV in order to receive that signal. With the average household owning two or more TV’s, that means over 8 Million televisions could be put in Oklahoma’s landfills, (Not to mention all the illegal dumping that plagues our state) enough to fill Sooner stadium three times.
Each TV has, Mercury, four to eight pounds of Lead, an abundance of Phosphorous and more than 20 pounds of glass.
At this time there are no plans, in any state, to deal with this mass of pollutants, which could eventually reach our ground water.
I propose that Oklahoma take the lead in recycling this glut of poison, by opening a First Class Recycling Center, to deal with this issue. We could become a model for the rest of the country, or even take on the entire nation of the waste that is coming. This would create jobs and revenue, also save wildlife and human life.
|
|
TOPIC: Education
You need math, science, history and english to graduate highschool in Oklahoma. But there is no requirement for parenting classes. Being a parent is one of the most important and difficult jobs most of us will have. The job that parents do raising children dirrectly affects society. Better parenting would lead to lower crime rates, lower divorce rates, lower drug abuse rates and many other things. Parenting classes should be a requirement for graduation in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Coffin Sales
Oklahoma is one of only four states that restrict sale of coffins to licensed funeral homes. In other words, only licensed funeral homes can sell coffins in Oklahoma.
This causes the cost of coffins in Oklahoma to be up to twice as high as in surrounding states that do not have or enforce such a restriction.
This is particularly hard on bereaved relatives, who are often pressured by funeral homes to buy up-scale coffins.
This was the subject of legislation (HB 1460) thrice submitted by Rep. Carolyn Coleman and thrice denied hearing on the House floor, both by Democrats and Republicans.
The matter went to the Federal District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma where Judge Friot ruled that it is up to the Legislature to pass good laws (decision very simplified). The Institute for Justice, with continued moral support from Common Cause Oklahoma and the League of Women Voters took the case to the 10th Circuit in Denver, which supported Judge Friot's decision. This had the 10th Circuit at variance with the 6th Circuit, which had overturned a Tennessee statute that was similar to the relevant portion of Oklahoma's Funeral Services Licensing Act. The case was then appealed by the Institute for Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to accept the case, thereby returning the matter to the Oklahoma Legislature.
Both Paul Wesselhoft and Randy Terrill had agreed to push HB 2511, similar in its important provision to 1460, but Ron Peterson, mimicing Democrats, blocked hearing on the House
floor in 2006 and no bill on this subject was offered this year.
Common Cause has estimated that approximately $20 million in excess funeral costs are paid annually in Oklahoma, owing to FLSA's restriction on casket sales.
Removal of the restriction would be a significant step toward improving general conditions in our State. The money wasted on too-costly caskets would be much better spent, for example, on higher education for grandchildren of deceased.
Republicans are supposed to be for free markets. Why have Republicans not helped strongly break the monopoly on casket sales that is enjoyed by Oklahoma's funeral homes?
Thank you for consideration. |
|
TOPIC: Bird Flu Votes
Over 95 percent of scientific evidence confirms that the threat from bird flu originates from the "factory farms" rearing poultry (birds) under overcrowded and unhealthful confinement conditions ----- conditions with dust, amonia, no sunlight, low-light, and high humidity that favors growth of bacteria and viruses. Yet, our politicians like to blame the bird flu threat on migratory birds. That's because the migratory birds don't vote, and don't pay taxes. In fact,
even outdoor poultry flocks have yet to have a problem with bird flu. Politicians receive very significant contributions from the poultry companies, and factory farms, so this is who they work to protect. If the bird flu virus (H5N1) does mutate and adapt to humans, our corrupt
politicians may have acted to create a pandemic that could kill 50 to 100 million people. I am therefore very careful about selecting politicians to support, and every voter should do the same. (H5N1 has already killed over 200 people, worldwide.) |
|
TOPIC: reduction in state expense
A manufacturing company I worked for once had a plant shut down the week of CHristmas through the New year. Every employee was required to use one week of their vacation during this time, so salary-wise, it didn't cost them anything. The savings, however, in terms of electricity and gas, etc., by having a total shutdown was incredible.
What if all non-essential state offices did the same during the end-of-year holiday season?
It's a fairly unproductive time anyway for those who choose not to take time off, and the benefit to the state in terms of fuel and energy savings would be unbelievable.
All Non-essential state employees would simply be required to use one week of their vacation at that time. Using this year as an example, the state would close dec. 24 thorugh Jan 1. there are two holiday days, plus 5 vacation days, for a total of 7 days. Add in two weekend days for 9 days total of minimized energy use and expense. Just imagine the savings. |
|
TOPIC: Redevelopment and economic opportunity
One Great Idea
Goal: To increase local retail commerce as well as to increase tourism opportunities in Oklahoma.
Objectives:
1. Create a partnership between Oklahoma Government agencies, local communities, and the Federal Government to obtain funding for redevelopment of strategically located properties along old Route 66 in Oklahoma.
2. Enhance opportunities to create: destination: tourism along the Route 66 corridor in Oklahoma.
3. Improve Oklahoma’s environment by cleaning up old, abandoned, contaminated sites.
Rationale: Historic Route 66 is a natural tourist attraction for the State of Oklahoma. Many communities have taken advantage of this and several Route 66 tourist attractions exist. This project would provide the impetus to create a trail through many large and small communities in Oklahoma that would attract a variety of tourist groups including bicycle tour groups, antique car buffs, runners and hikers.
A similar approach has been executed by the state of Arizona with measurable results in redevelopment projects in smaller communities. FUNDING IS AVAILABLE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THROUGH THE PETROLEUM BROWNFIELDS OFFICE AT EPA. EPA OFFICIALS HAVE INDICATED AN INTEREST IN THIS PROJECT.
Targeting former garage and filling station sites as well as motor courts along the historic Route 66 corridor could help smaller communities create small retail or pocket park locations that could be linked by Tourism Maps to attract travelers to the state as well as provide local recreation spots for Oklahoma Citizens. Many of these sites have long been abandoned or boarded up. A Photographic catalogue of sites could be created to assist in grant applications through Brownfields both in-state and from Federal sources.
Several Route 66 organizations already exist and should be enlisted to form the necessary partnerships. The State Historical Society could provide documentation and potential resources for Historic Preservation tax credits. Economic Development Authorities or Trusts could also agree to partner in these efforts. Several projects have been done independently in Oklahoma, providing examples that other communities can use to motivate private investment in these projects. Local boutique, retail, restaurant and recreation projects could be encouraged.
Implementing Agencies: Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Local Councils of Governments and Economic Development Authorities.
Costs: Much of the actual redevelopment money would come from private dollars. The project would need a project manager and some infrastructure to manage potential grants and cooperative agreements. The potential leverage of government funds could be determined in more detail once the universe of potential sites is identified.
Benefits: Local redevelopment of current eyesores and restoration of potentially impacted sites is the first benefit. Additionally, community pride as well as opportunities for bike rallies, runs and other outdoor activities will help improve community health. Retail associated with the redevelopment would contribute to local sales tax revenues. From Miami to Sayre there are potential sites on local traffic routes that could benefit from this program at small cost to taxpayers. This project could be titled “Route 66 Revitalization Project” or something else that would draw attention to the scope of the |
|
TOPIC: Lighting along Oklahoma River
I'd like to see lighting along the paths on the Oklahoma River so people could walk there when it gets dark. It could be lighting that matches that planned for the boulevard. I'd also like to see it patrolled by police on bicycles to keep it safe. I would also like to see shrubs planted along the north fence (cedars or something bushy that grows quickly) to block the view of the industrial areas immediately south of Bricktown. The river is a great place to walk, but if you look north, your enjoyment of the area is immediately dampened by the ugly industrial areas. |
|
TOPIC: Economic Growth
Improving our infrastructure including roads and landscaping around our schools and the entrances and exits to our cities and towns along with family friendly tax laws would will go along way toward attracting more people to Oklahoma and persuading those those inclined to leave from doing so. Real weath and econimic growth is created only when people add value to raw materials by converting those materials into goods and services that are beneficial. Making our state manufacturing friendly and promoting the consumption of domestic products will create far more wealth and opportunity than outsourcing. |
|
TOPIC: Long-Term Care Funding
Oklahoma should rebalance the long term care funding so that Oklahomans with disabilities and seniors are able to access services in their homes rather than face institutionalization--the cost is a third and outcomes are much better.
|
|
TOPIC: Work program for released inmates
W have inmates being released from prison on mostly drug related crimes. However, employers will not hire them because they are felons.
Suggestion: Create state operated units around the state, much like manpower companies. These former inmates would register their skills and be assigned work through this office. All paper work, e.g. insurance, workman comp and bonding would be handled by the "manpower office". The employing client would pay an hourly rate that includes the above, plus operating cost of the office. This would be a service to both the former inmate and the job market without costing the state tax payers money. (Could even contract with a company like Express Personnel to operate the units) |
|
TOPIC: Non-U.S. drivers
There seems to be a big push nationwide to give non-us citizens driver license. USA and all States already recognize a driver's license from other country. (These people rent cars every day at airports) We have friends that visit from Mexico and their driver's license,vehicle plate and passport are recognized by Oklahoma law enforcement.
Suggestion: Make it clear to the public that non-us citizens must have a valid drivers license from their country of official residence to drive in Oklahoma (they can also use their passport for ID, aw we do in other countries). Then do not issue a drivers license or ID to non-OK residents. That will require a network hook up with other countries to check for violations and etc. |
|
TOPIC: Driver licenses
As a senior, I am sometimes asked for ID. An example,McDonald serves seniors coffee for a reduced price. Under age persons have to show ID often. you would be surprised how many clerks can't do the math using the birth date on the license.
Suggestion: A sliver line on license for Seniors over 65 (that is when the license is free) and a red line on people under 21.
|
|
TOPIC: English Language
We, the state of Oklahoma need to keep English as our first language. We do need to implement sign language as possibility our second language.
We presently have over 6000 languages that exist today, yet 90% may be doomed to elimination. As we know down through history great languages have been over taken. As we become more connected globally and internationally, the other countries can develop native sign language, mini dictionaries for communication and we in turn could share our American sign language books. A feeling of connection with all races would be felt around the world without having to become a linguistic. |
|
TOPIC: School Bond Elections
There should be a law requiring school districts to give a significant notice of school bond elections, ie: more than just one notice in "The Oklahoman" the day before the election. As it is now, only parents of children attending a particular school, the teachers and support staff, and volunteers at the school are the ones who know about the elections.
Also, at least 50% of all ELIGIBLE VOTERS in the school district should be required to pass the bond election. |
|
TOPIC: DHS
Abolish the DHS. For the future of our kids I can't think of a more relative action. The FACTS behind the policies of this department are disturbing to say the least. In no way has the DHS made any overall improvements to the lives of American families. Yes there has been many that can say they helped them when in need, but a look at the big picture shows a majority of the cases, their involvement produced large numbers of disfunctional families, bringing large debts to parents, causing children to be raised by the state thru foster programs that indeed has a margin of profit for DHS. And the child support policies have given them a foothold into EVERY divorce case that has kids involved. Too many have become controlled by DHS simply because a person receives service from them at some point, they tend to never leave |
|
TOPIC: Sports
The BCS sucks! We must enact a law that prohibits state-supported colleges and universities (OU) from participating in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) unless a playoff system is used. This law could include a clause that it would become effective only if similar legislation is passed in 4 states from a 13-state list – which includes Oklahoma, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas and Washington. Teams from these states are precious to the BCS, which can’t afford to lose the revenue from excluding these teams. Let's force the NCAA to throw the BCS out and get a play-off system like every other sport has!
|
|
TOPIC: Taxes
Three tax saving items especially for Oklahoma seniors must be passed in the next legislative session to prevent an exititist of retired people from the state.
1. Freeze assessment values on homes owned and lived in by people 65 and older or even better remove property taxes on thier homes period.
2. Remove all estate taxes (death taxes).
3. Remove state sales taxes from groceries and other necessities required for life.
These are badly needed because County Assessors are taking unfair advantage of the allowed 5% annual assessed value increase and city governments are constantly increasing sales taxes to the point where many seniors cannot afford descent food. |
|
TOPIC: Governmental Operations - Shared Leadership
Organize the state house much like the current senate with co-chairs and co leaders. In this way, the best ideas predominate, not partisanship. Sharing problems get to solutions. |
|
TOPIC: Environment & tourism
we need strong anti litter laws. Each and every outlet of canned, bottled, containers for liquid of any type must charge a fee which would be refundable at any of the marketing locations.
Fees need to be significant for better control. A well designed and enforced program would make Oklahoma a leader in a struggling Nation to control litter. California has in place similar programs in a few towns/cities. Charge ten cents for each beer can and I'll bet you won't see many cans in the steets/roads. Charge ten cents for each soft drink container and the results will be likewise. Can you imagine a new Welcome to Oklahoma sign that says
"Welcome to Oklahoma, The Cleanest State in The Union"
(Help us Keep it that way) |
|
TOPIC: Technology
The State needs to establish an office of Technology and have a CTO (chief technical officer) or what ever you want to call it. This office should be a cabinet level office and the CTO would be appointed by the Governor. The office (agency) would have authority over all technology related purchases and projects. There could be various divisions of this agency created to handle specific technologies such as 9-1-1, Radio Communications, Criminal Justice, Health, etc. so that specific State agencies could have representatives appointed to the individual divisions. All State agencies as well as local and county government agencies would have representatives to the various divisions for participation in developing strategies and standards.
I have served on several State level technology related task forces in the past and found the current system to be one of waste and duplication! There was also a very rigid system or turf wars were by most State agencies competed against one another for money and resources and very little sharing of information or system planning took place between agencies. While a member of these tasks forces, I attended several symposiums that where sponsored by the NGA (National Governors Association). It was very easy to tell which states had CTO type technology structures and which did not.
|
|
TOPIC: Sports
To boost poor attendance, offer coin beer at all OU men's basketball games played at the Lloyd-Noble Center. |
|
TOPIC: City Development
Restore all old schools and make museums out of them. Put pictures of school with the people that usest to go there pencils books and other stuff like that or re-open them for classes to held. This is to save money for public school systems and more school bonds for Collinsville (New High School and New Wilson Elementry), Tulsa (School additions,Owasso,(Campus Police for 6th, 7th, 8th, Mid-High and High School), Broken Arrow, Glenpool, Pryor, Bartlesville, Sperry (Needs a new Elementry, Middle School, and High School), Skaitook, Turley, Sandsprings, Jenks, and Bixby. |
|
TOPIC: Future of Oklahoma's Families & Tourism
Small towns across Oklahoma have abandoned retail stores with no viable short-term prospect for sale or meaningful lease.
A community could bargain with a structurally sound facility of sufficient size and good location to obtain a long-term leasehold and provide bona fide tax credit for value of the lease to obtain nearly free use of the building.
The same approach could even more effectively be used for larger and valuable commercial structures in the suburban and metropolitan areas, providing for tax credit to building owner for duration of the "free" leasehold, with a short notice to quit provision. That would mean a million dollar building that is setting vacant at this time could earn the building owner tens of thousands of dollars in legiitmate tax credits for providing a free leasehold to the non-profit group, all the while providing the non-profits will evacuate the structure in relatively short, e.g. 60 days, period if the building is sold.
The non-profit tenant would necessarily provide liability insurance holding building owner harmless for any damages.
A further provision could be negotiated so that the lease agreement would provide that as certain necessary improvements are made by the non-profit tenant that would enhance the building for its ultimate use by buyer, the non-profit group could raise the funds (also tax-deductible to donors), pay for the improvement and then when the building is sold to the 3rd party it be provided the non-profit group would be reimbursed at time of closing.
Here is what I suggest be the use of these buildings:
INTERACTIVE MUSEUMS, DEPICITING BIBLICAL LANDS TOPOGRAPHY, STRUCTURES, CULTURAL FACTS.
Imagine a three dimensional map of the Mediterranean sea that shows with LED lighting effects each of apostle Paul's journeys, with head-sets for visitors that tells about what happened at each of his visited communities.
Or, suppose you had historically accurate models of the temple in Jerusalem.
How about the travels of Abram from Ur to the west into Palestine and down into Egypt.
What about the Roman coleseum, the jursidictions of the 12 tribes, the travels of Jonah, the parting of the Red Sea, the Olive Garden, great battle scenes, the Masada, Babylonian exile routes . . . the list goes on and on.
Now, suppose that instead of a gigantic museum that tried to capture hundreds or thousands of locations and scenes of Biblical adventure and history, instead various communities each took on this concept. It might take a few years for the first half-dozen to be created. . . but the process could continue for decades.
We could have intra-state tours that go from community to community to visit many of these Bible Land Museums, each with a similar format, but different geographic area depicted.
Of course churches and others would want to be involved and it would be important that no church or other group dominate or possess one of these museums.
Instead, it would be a place that people from across the country, perhaps from around the world, would trek to learn more about the terra firma spoken of by the texts that guide both Jewish and Christian believers. It should also be attrative to secular historians and perhaps Muslim students who share common interest in the historically geographic areas.
An umbrella non-profit group should be formed to promote the concept, much like the Main Street Oklahoma umbrella that guides but does not dominate or restrict local Main Street entities.
The museums would appropriately vary from participating town to town, but have a generic "sameness".
This would all begin with the formation of a task force with involvement by Biblical scholars, architects, tax attorney, museum curators, and a host of others. |
|
TOPIC: Tourism
I've traveled a lot for work and pleasure, and one thing I've noticed that other states offer that Oklahoma doesn't are very nice rest areas, not just throughout their Turnpikes, but on FREE highways as well. What does oklahoma have...a picnic table and a trashcan, if your lucky, some areas are just a place to pull over. Woo hoo, that should make tourists from across the country flock to this state. This might sound trivial to some, but when you and your children are out in the middle of some highway and need restroom facilities in a hurry, a picnic table and a trashcan don't cut the mustard. I've driven I-40 East over a hundred times, and Arkansas and Tennessee have some decent rest areas, but the best rest areas I've seen were in Mississippi. Even the rest area outside of Joplin, MO is more to brag about than what our states has. Places that not only provides toilet facilities, but vending machines as well. Some even have Showers. They have nice WELL LIT areas with lots of trees and a pet area for those traveling with that furry family member. If this leaves a lasting impression on me as a tourist to other states, I'm positive that tourists from other states have seen the type of rest areas Oklahoma has, or the lack thereof. With the amount of money that our Turnpike toll booths charge, you can't tell me that some of that income received can't be used for such a small project to create such a big impression on our state. It's the littlest of details that sometimes make the biggest impressions, it shows other states that we have pride in the appearance and convenience of our state to those traveling to or through our state. |
|
TOPIC: buying 1st home
In order to keep people in Oklahoma and proud home owners - there must first be a way to make the dream of home ownership possible. Too many foreclosure are occuring around the country and not enough people remain at their current address.
My idea is to create a something similar to a 529 college fund. This new fund would allow people to save tax free to purchase their first home. If people would donate to this "new homeowner fund" pre-taxed - it would allow them to have a larger down payment on their dream house. Also, if Oklahoma did this exclusively from other states and led the way - many more young families and new residents could buy property in Oklahoma. There is nothing that makes you prouder than when you can have a home debt free. This would also generate a tax base for the state in sales, property, and many other tax revenue sources. |
|
TOPIC: Tax incentives for solar and hybrid tech
Provide aggressive tax rebates linked with energy saving investments, like lower sales tax or rebates for hybrid autos. Tax rebates for installing solar panels to houses, water efficiency solutions or other proven "green" technology that is currently high cost but yields huge returns for the long term. This can be provided both to individuals and businesses. |
|
TOPIC: Early Childhood Special Education
Oklahoma is an established national leader in early childhood education programs. By implementing progressive programs for Kindergarten and Pre-K, under the leadership of Sandy Garrett and the OSDE, Oklahoma has set the standard for educational programming for young children. During the 2007 legislative session, Oklahoma once again demonstrated its commitment and passion for its youngest citizens by appropriating funding to the State Department of Education to establish a Rise School in the state, to address the educational needs of young children with disabilities. The Rise School of Stillwater opened its doors on October 15, 2007. The Rise School has commenced on a multi-faceted mission to provide the state with a preeminent early childhood program that not only serves children of all abilities, but provides training for Oklahoma’s pre-service and career early childhood teachers while actively pursuing pioneering research in a various areas of need. The Rise School strives to thrust into the national spot-light as being the leader in providing quality early education of children with developmental disabilities, while preparing our early childhood teachers to work with children with developmental disabilities so each child will be able to grow, learn and mature to be as independent upon government support as possible and ideally to become taxpayers and have families of their own. In addition to the strong research component, the school focuses a great amount of its efforts and energy on the children and families being served by the school. The children receive developmentally appropriate instructional methods and early intervention therapy strategies integrated into their daily school routines. These services are individualized to the specific needs of each child so that each can achieve their fullest potential. Not only does this exemplary early childhood program with serve children with special needs and children who are developing typically, it also provides valuable training for Oklahoma’s future and present teachers. Teachers and students can observe and work with the children to gain first hand knowledge regarding best teaching practices in an inclusive classroom setting, which is required under federal law. The school will also work with the State Department of Education to deliver in-service training programs for teachers to receive continuing education regarding educating children with special needs in the least restrictive environment. This model will allow the latest, research-based concepts and methods to be assimilated into Oklahoma classrooms, thereby enabling Oklahoma to meet federal requirements, while providing future generations with the education they deserve. This is truly a momentous opportunity for the state of Oklahoma and its citizens to not only partake in an innovative, contemporary educational initiative, but take an active role in the quality of lives for future generations across the country.
|
|
TOPIC: Reporting Hospital Infection Rates
Oklahoma does not currently require the reporting of hospital infection rates
Colorado requires hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers and dialysis centers to report incidents of hospital-acquired infections to the CDC to be analyzed and risk adjusted. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will use that information to issue facility-specific infection rates to the public. Maryland requires the Maryland Health Care Commission to include hospital-acquired infection information in the existing reporting system on hospital quality. New Hampshire requires hospitals to report their infection rates as well as measures they use to prevent infections. Two states, Nebraska and Nevada have passed laws mandating collection of hospital infection information but not to share with the public.
An infection reporting system could help cut back on the number of infection-related complications and deaths. If the infection rates were tracked and compared, it would be much easier to determine why one hospital may have a higher rate and one may have a lower rate – which could lead to best practices to reduce the overall rate. Currently there is no such system.
|
|
TOPIC: Greater Hospital Pricing Transparency
Every other industry in the world has been able to figure out how to charge and advertise a price for their product and/or service. The health care industry is the only one that has not achieved such a feat. In order to have responsible consumers, they must be able to figure out what is the true cost of a surgery or procedure. One hospital in Tulsa may charge $300 dollars for a procedure and another hospital might charge $1000 dollars for the exact same procedure. There is just no consistency, and subsequently no rhyme or reason for the inconsistency.
Former Speaker Newt Gingrich, who founded the Center for Health Transformation, was quoted as saying, "You need an intelligent health system. An intelligent health system means you discover early what your health needs are, you get access to the best practices, you know which hospitals and which doctors deliver good care, you have ways of reinforcing your habits, and it's all handled both financially and in health information with the greatest transparency and the least cost."
An intelligent health system utilizes fair and consistent pricing for its procedures.
Our state ought to encourage hospitals to start moving in this direction. Perhaps the State Health Department could partner with the Oklahoma Hospital Association to develop a small pilot program with the future goal of rolling it our statewide. |
|
TOPIC: COMMUNITY SERVICE
All high school students should be required to do two semesters of some kind of community service to graduate. In todays world, we have forgotten how to give back to the community we live in. We have also forgotten how to help our neighbors.
Donna Ronio
|
|
TOPIC: State Savings Incentive
Rather than implementing a pay raise to state employees, which the employees will pay both federal and state income tax on, it would appear to be more advantageous to the state employees for the State to provide a higher match rate for monies going to the state employee’s retirement SoonerSave accounts which would utilize pre-tax dollars from the employee, encourage savings, actually cost the State fewer tax dollars, allow the state employee more income when they retire, and allow them to pay the taxes on that income at a time when they are facing, most probably, a lower income bracket for taxation.
During the last across-the-board pay raise for state employees, the average employee received $1,500, which after taxes amounted to about $1,125 and cost the State a total of $64 million. If the State agreed to match the first $100 that the eligible employees put in their SoonerSave accounts each month, or $1,200 per year, this combined with the $100 deposit by each employee each month with pre-tax dollars would equal $2,400 per year for the employee without considering interest. If you added an 8% interest accumulation, the state employee would be adding a minimum of $2,592 to their retirement saving each year. This amount of savings, without considering compounding, would provide a total of $51,840 for the employee after 20 years. The annual cost of providing this match for the first $100 for all 37,600 eligible state employees would be a total of $45,120,000 or $19 million less than the 5% pay raise cost.
Considering the desire to improve conditions for State’s retirees and to save State tax dollars wherever possible, this would appear to be a win-win situation for both the state employees and the State. Thank you for considering this idea.
|
|
TOPIC: Youth Unemployment
Launch an intensive campaign in the public schools to educate our youth about the dangers of unwanted pregnancies, the use of various contraceptive measures and the handicapping economic consequences of having one, two, three and more children without a job or any visible means of support.
|
|
TOPIC: Ethics Reform
We should require lobbyists to report the bundled checks they deliver/collect/arrange for legislators. Bundling helps them get around the $5,000 rule by delivering checks from a number of different sources. The total of the checks delivered will often amount to much more than $5,000, and the lobbyist will be given the “credit” for giving that much to the member.
We should also require each chamber of the Legislature to schedule and conduct an annual ethics training seminar for all members, employees, and lobbyists. It will be mandatory for all members, employees, and lobbyists to attend the training.
The monthly disclosure of contributions should be increased from a quarterly report to a monthly report.
It shall be unlawful for an attorney to solicit a client for a campaign contribution or contribution for a political action committee. An exception should be given for attorneys who are registered lobbyists.
Currently only donors who contribute more than $50 are required to be reported by name. We should get rid of this to require all donors to be reported by name, regardless of the size of the contribution.
|
|
TOPIC: Multi-County Officials
Oklahoma should consider creating multi county districts similar to what is presently in place for our district attorneys and judges. Think of the efficiencies to be gained by electing multi county officials such as treasurer, clerks, etc. Our DA's have been elected from and preside over multiple counties for decades - now its time to expand this successful model to other county wide elected officials.
|
|
TOPIC: Abandoned Turnpike and Hwy
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation should convey abandoned roadways to the city in which an abandoned roadway exists and if not in the City, then to work with city officials for annexation, or convey to the county in which the abandoned roadway exists. The appropriate authority should then work with the City or County to provide funds to include the area in the City's or County's long range development plan. |
|
TOPIC: Immigration
Okay, here's the plan: Effective Jan. 1, 2009, all false-documented immigrants are subject to arrest and/or deportation. In the meantime, Oklahoma will be the first state to offer "Okla-
homa Status." Illegal immigrants will be able to apply for a valid social security card via the
Oklahoma Tax Commission. Each number issued will have an "o" at the end. This "o" will
tell any employer that this person does not have full U.S. citizenship and therefore will be in a completely different tax catagory. This person will be paying an additional 10% payroll tax that will go directly to a fund that will finance various costs, such as administration of the program. After 5 or 10 years of having "Oklahoma Status", a person becomes eligible for full citizenship. If the person has a clean record the odds of full citizenship become much higher.
Under this program the false-documented will have an opportunity to work their way to legally documented. They'll pay more-------as they should.
That's it in a nutshell.
Mike Hogan
OKC |
|
TOPIC: Parenting
As an employee of the Office of Juvenile Affairs, I find it deplorable that to get married, we get an incentive for taking a class, to drive, we are required to pass a test, and to have or raise children there is no such push.
I took several courses in college on Child Development, Delinquency, Psychology,and the like, I grew up in the normal fashion, proceeding from infancy to adulthood myself, as well, and still yet, my own children confound me sometimes. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to try to do the right things for your child if you have no decent role-models, little education, and few economic resources. It is frightening, to me, to hear about teenagers having babies, or to hear grown-ups talk about their "spoiled" 2 month old.
Why is it that in this State we value ANYthing more than our children? They truly are the future, and the schools are trying.....but they cannot possibly, in less than 8 hours a day both socialize and adequately educate, nurture and teach, our children. Seems to me like more money on the front-end would reap bigger rewards on the back-end.
My idea would be that there be some significant (at least a full reimbursement, but preferrably an amount exceeding the cost itself) tax break or incentive given to all pregnant women and their partners for taking and successfully completing an accredited parenting program-that includes a child development component. Then, every five years thereafter-until the children came of age or were no longer their dependents on tax returns, if a parent renewed their course, or took another, they would get full reimbursement from the State, plus a more modest incentive.
If children are truly a priority, then these incentives should be more than just token amounts such as the free or reduced cost marriage licenses for PREP. These classes should be somewhat longer in duration, and there should be a pass/fail test upon completion before incentive certificate is earned. AT A MINIMUM, the classes should cover, basic child development and growth issues, discipline, rewards, a brief overview of the academic prep work needed to prepare a child for school, and should also include a comprehensive hand out that has as an attachment all related governmental agency phone numbers, in case the family does, at some alter point, need help. Kids don't come with owner's manuals-why can't we be the first State to help write one?
|
|
TOPIC: Higher education funding
Here in Tulsa, there is a new initiative where kids who graduate from a Tulsa Public high school get free tution to Tulsa Community College...that is terrific. I recently heard something about new scholarships that almost entirely cover the tuition for OK grads at OSU and OU. Again, I support this.
But...as a working single mother, who went to college in Oklahoma (TCC and OSU, both) and currently works for the State, I am about to exhaust all of my deferrments and forbearances, and will soon be making very high payments on my student loans. I think setting aside some of this scholarship money to help people who went to college here and still work here in some public sector form repay their loans would be an excellent idea.
It could come from whatever fund is paying for the new scholarships mentioned above, or from monies generated by the taxes students pay anyway, or even from the lottery or cigarette money. To retain the people we already have here, I think it would be a huge asset. |
|
TOPIC: Air Quality Technology/permits
Due to the strong oil and gas industry in OK, we have a lot of compression stations for natural gas pipelines. What a lot of people don't know is that compression stations emit a lot of air polution, many requiring title V air permits, or even PSD permits.
I think it would be a good idea for the state to encourage the installation of cutting-edge catalytic converter units to the larger compressor stations. This would result in a real reduction of emissions and be pro-active step in improving overall air quality in the state, AND help keep OK county and Tulsa county from slipping into non-attainment for smog.
THe state could perhaps offer a tax incentive (beyond the existing credit for pollution prevention), and even go as far as streamlining the permitting process for compressor stations with this technology- industry is never happy about cutting emissions, but the inevitable paperwork always pushes it over the edge! |
|
TOPIC: Light Rail Transport
A light rail system for the metro area would be a good idea. Edmond, OKC, Moore, Norman, Del City, Midwest City, El Reno, all of them could benefit from a light rail system. And, frankly, I've driven to OKC every day for work for over a decade- I'd be happy to spend that time reading or something.
If light rail is too much, then I'd even go for a decent bus service. There IS bus service from Norman to OKC, but the times don't work well for me, or for most of the people I know. The buses are in a tough position, they probably can't offer more routes and departure times until more people start riding, and people won't start riding until they can get convenient departure times and routes.
|
|
TOPIC: Protect Military Retired Pay
I agree with Mr. Kurland. To further expose the discriminatory nature of this law which was hastily back dated by congress to supersede the Supreme
Court decision in McCarty v. McCarty (1981). The spouse of a military member is given incentive to divorce thus creating lifetime income with no
effort of their own. To make matters even more insulting, there are cases where the spouse of the military member was caught red handed in adultery
and are now being rewarded for their actions. There are hundreds of former spouses that monthly collect millions of tax payers dollars from a number
of their former spouses. These military members that were asked to put it all on the line are now being bilked out of even their disability pay which the state
refuses to apply federal laws as untouchable. Some of the patriots are 100% disabled. As a retired veteran I find this deplorable, there have been thousands
of appeals set at the feet of those in the senate and in congress only to be ignored or merely paid lip service to. The idea is simple, if the law is not going
to abolish then revamp it and put protections and remarriage clauses in it. Additionally place mandates that punish wayward judges who refuse to equally and
fairly apply law and foremost put a stop to this national disaster. Americans expect the best from their soldiers, sailors and airmen, but DOD won't tell them
when they enlist that their retirement in not guaranteed because of USFSPA. why the cloak and dagger DOD? Why the cover-up congress and senate?
Inquiring veterans want to know
Respectfully submitted,
Lou Rushano
USAF Retired
|
|
TOPIC: Tourism/Health Care
Oklahoma Land Rush Marathon (26.2 miles of fun and fitness for Oklahoma's kids)
This State sponsored marathon would recreate the land run (date, time, location, etc.) with major media exposure to promote exercise and fitness among Oklahoma youth. The marathon would serve as a major tourism draw and fund-raiser for obesity awareness education programs in Oklahoma schools. |
|
TOPIC: Economic Dev.
I am concerned that our leaders do not make the most of our small towns that appear to be fading away behind boarded up windows and junk shops. Every area of our state has something to offer--perhaps we could make an effort to energize every area of our state by putting industry zones into selected areas that would spread the wealth equally. This would enlarge the area of the work force and relieve the traffic that gets more and more congested in OKC and Tulsa thus causing the needs for new roads and highways. I think the whole state should be economically healthy instead of just Tulsa and OKC. Special interest groups and good ole boy's need not apply. |
|
TOPIC: Political signs and business signs
Anyone puting signs on public roadwasy should be reqired to pay a fee in advance. They have to pay for billboards and this would move some of the media boondogle to governements
for cleanup, tax revenue, etc. . Each sign would be required to have a tax stamp with a hefty fine for unstamped signs. |
|
TOPIC: County Government
We should consolidate all fire, safety, police and street and highway under the 77 county governments. We could double the services by avoiding duplication. |
|
TOPIC: Education
We should scrap the present system of public education at all levels and put in place a parent choice voucher. The present campus locations could be rented to private voucher schools with no interuption in student education. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Present legislators should mandate by law that turnpikes become public free highways when paid off as was the original promise on the first ones by state officials.. |
|
TOPIC: Public servant unions
Our lawmakers hould pass a law restricting public employee labor unions from being underr the contnrol of out of state union bosses. |
|
TOPIC: Tourism
TOURISM: Oklahoma has some of the best and most unique destinations in the country for tourism and recreation, as others herein have correctly noted. We do not however have an adequate or even presentable road systems to a large percentage of beautiful destinations, very definitely true in the Eastern part of Oklahma. Friends and family visiting me virtually all complain about our roads. Build and they will come, is an applicable phrase for a large future increase in TOURISM. |
|
TOPIC: roads
Roads & highways are a mess! It always comes back to $$$, and Oklahoma state fuel tax rate is below nearly all other states. While beilg "lower" sounds good, another three cents per gallon levied on gasoline & diesel wouldn't necessarily be passed on to consumers (gas prices in slightly higher states often have lower pump prices) subject to market competition.
The three cents should be split evenly between state, county, and city revenue, expressly for road maintenance. (no using it for parks, or trails, or rivers, etc.). That way, the cities really would get the larger share, as state highways and U.S. highways passing thru + local arterials would all be eligible. Example: here in Tulsa, it would help fund U.S. 412 & 169, and state 11, etc. as well as Lewis Ave, 41st street, or whichever. |
|
TOPIC: Transportation Hub
I submit this idea with the understanding that it really isn't mine, but comes from a meeting I had last year with Bob Portiss, Port Director, Port of Catoosa.
The Scenario: (1) The major ports on the east and west coasts are congested -- almost clogged beyond their ability to deliver the goods needed for commerce. I'm told cargo can sit for weeks before it is delivered to its destination. (2) We could make Oklahoma an intermodal "cargo hub" and alleviate this gridlock at the major deep water ports.
The Idea: Oklahoma is located at the crossroads America, and we have all the major forms of transportation -- highway, rail, air and water. Our waterway is the westernmost inland waterway in the nation, and it provides us with a major gateway to the Gulf, and thus to world trade. Here's the idea, and it's visionary: (1) build floating marinas or ports in the Gulf of Mexico. Offload cargo and ship it via the McClellan-Kerr Waterway to Oklahoma. (2) Adjacent to the waterway, the state owns several thousand acres of land. It's called Camp Gruber. Gruber could be turned into an intermodal hub for international cargo. It's ideally located near water, rail, highway and air facilities.
Visionary? Yes! Expensive? Yes, but it makes no sense for us not to take advantage of our geographical and manmade advantages. Bob Portiss is convinced this could be done. It at least deserves futher thought.
Thanks for the opportunity to submit. Ronn |
|
TOPIC: Military
Military members (out of state residents) who purchase a home and want to homestead the home have to change their residency to Oklahoma for this to happen. Can we change this? |
|
TOPIC: Recruiting Quality Employees
Develop swat team so to speak of people representing various industires or employment disciplens who can move quickly to go to areas of our state, region or of the entire US that have announced the closing of plants or military bases for the purpose of recruiting quality emloyees for Okahoma businesses. The sooner the team can be mobilized and then organize and conduct a job farming event in a local community the better chance they will have of attracting the cream of the workers being laid off. |
|
TOPIC: State Parks and Hiking Trails
Oklahoma is lucky to have a wide range of topography from corner to corner. But we've not done a very good job of exploiting that. Yes, we have a number of state parks all over the state, but it often seems that if you don't have a boat, the state parks aren't for you.
I think it would be a good idea to put more overnight hiking trails in our state parks. Backpacking has become a very popular activity over the last decade-- we even have a Backwoods shop here in Norman. But, outside of the Wichita mountains, and parts of the Ouachita forest, there are not many places in the state to do overnight hiking trips. And there very easily could be. A number of the parks have the space, even it was just a trail that hugged the lake, but right now, those trails just don't exist.
What I think would be a better, although much more challenging idea, is to form a number of regional hiking trails that link the different state parks. For example, my job takes me to the north west part of the state, Boiling Springs state park, Alabaster Caverns State Park, Little Sahara state park, the Gloss Mountains, and Roman Nose State park would make a fantastic mulit-day loop. Even better if you could make it horse accessable.
You could, as an example, start at Roman Nose, follow the Canadian River north west to Boiling Springs, then go North East to Alabaster Caverns, then follow the Cimarron River south east and go to LIttle Sahara, and then reach the Gloss Mountains. And this kind of thing could be repeated in almost every corner/quadrant of the state. And you could work in Native American history, and frontier history (would't it be great to be able to travel down the Chisom trail, instead of just seeing a placard on the highway?) and really showcase what Oklahoma has to offer.
There would, of course, be right of way issues that would have to be settled first. However, I am confident that those issues could be settled to everyone's advantage.
I recently returned from a trip to Northern England, where I did the coast-to-coast walk. Because they have these regional hiking trail systems, they also have these regional micro-economies that spring from them. Many landowners make money from this, especially if your barn/cabin is the only place to stay between towns.
I feel confident that Oklahoma could make something like this work. We have the diversity of landscape, and enough points of historical interest to draw people in, what we lack is the accessibility.
I'm available at this email address if you would like to follow-up on this idea. I am also willing to donate my time and my money to a project like this.
Sincerely,
Adrian Simmons
|
|
TOPIC: Corporate sponsorship of schools
Encourage corporate sponsorship of schools. This will help with any future funding crisis if we stick with the current system and could help as a base for funding a sophisticated public charter system. |
|
TOPIC: Consolidate Consumer Credit Agency
We need to consolidate the OK Consumer Credit Agency. |
|
TOPIC: Bible elective course
We need a Bible elective course in public schools! |
|
TOPIC: Factual economic data
Have the Oklahoma Legislature, both the House and Senate openly discuss the March 12, 2007, report produced by the Task Force convened by Senator Daisy Lawler on Oklahoma Illegal Immigration Issues before considering any additional immigration reform bills. |
|
TOPIC: Education & Sports
The focus within our public school system should be on education with a realistic approach to sports. Sports are necessary for many aspects of physical, emotional, social development, etc. Yet the unrealistic career plan, which evolves for many elementary students in the public schools, develops into an attitudinal misconception as a long time career goal. I have heard too many youth state that they do not need to study to learn because they are going to be a pro athlete. We need to instill the expectation to attend at least 2 years of post high school education (which many pro athletes do) and it should be free.
If we invest in our youth, they will expect more of themselves.
We must set the example and pave the way.
|
|
TOPIC: "Entrepreneurship 101" Class - College/Universities Statewide
All state universities and colleges to offer an “Entrepreneurship 101” class with identical curriculum across the state. Class credits for course would be free to all enrolled students, underwritten with private donations, most likely from businesses across state.
As part of curriculum for entrepreneurship class, every student would be required to present either a traditional business plan or an application for a Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) grant. (a competitive grant program that reserves some of federal R&D funds for funding of small business startup and development stages, with emphasis on encouraging commercialization of a technology related product or service.) According to Phillips, SBIR looks at volume of applications submitted by state, giving greater percentage of grant money to states with highest level of applicants. Independent of the quality of proposals, increased volume alone could direct more grants to the state.
A possible addendum is the creation of a web site related to the class, or to be housed within the website that the Dept. of Commerce is creating as part of the Center for Entrepreneurship created this year, that would serve as a repository for proposals being researched by college professors. |
|
TOPIC: Governmental Operations
Recreate the spirit and feel of the field of Oil derricks at the State Capitol by installing wind turbines. These will in "turn" generate the power needed for those offices and agencies located in the Lincoln and NE 23rd Street vicinity, and will eventually pay for themselves. This public and promenent display, with it's nostalgic twist, will also serve as an excellen example of Oklahoma's progressive nature when it comes to energy, and the harnessing and conservation of our natural resources. |
|
TOPIC: Prisons
Oklahoma prisons are short of "beds" and funding. Solution:
1. The day of conviction, a prisoner begins a 40-hour work week at the highest wages available. The wages pay for victims' restitution, dependents' support, incarceration costs, and release savings. The percentage of each decided by sentencing judge. The incarceration costs would help with state funding of prisons. The employment would establish work habits, maintain skills and licenses, encourage skills improvement, etc. for better employment after release.
2. Employment would be for one of three 8-hour shifts per day. A second 8-hour shift would be for eating, bathing, laundry, exercise, authorized drug rehabilitation, education, counseling and earned priviledges (visitation, suitable TV and reading, writing, library, etc.). Note that a prisoner needs only one 8-hour shift per day to be in "bed".
3. Each cell have only one bed and three large lockers for three prisoners' personal items and clothes. During WWII, submarines did not have enough bunks for all crew members. Some were always on duty and others eating, etc. Sailors rotated using the same bunks for sleep, which was called "hot bunking".
4. Obviously, there would no longer be a shortage of "beds". Some prisons are already making furniture. Employers would provide factories. Unions would provide training.
5. This would be win-win for victims' compensation, dependents' not on welfare, prisoners' reduced recidivism, and tax payers' reduced taxes.
|
|
TOPIC: Ground Water
Prohibit ground water from be used for any purpose other than agriculture or personal residential consumption. Agricultural usage would include crop irrigation and animal husbandry. Personal residential usage would include household consumption and landscape maintenance. Specifically prohibited would be using ground water for 'beautification' purposes such as fountains and non-agricultural lakes or ponds.
Last year's drought caused a lot of wells to go dry. A lot of those wells were sucked dry because certain entities considered their selfish desires to be more important than the personal needs of other individuals sharing the same aquifer
I am not a liberal, but I have been affected by this issue. This is not intended to deny the right to use any water beneath an entity's property. It is meant to encourage the conservation of a limited source of fresh water and attempt to ensure that such usage provides the greatest benefit to all parties involved.
|
|
TOPIC: Olympic Development/ Water Sports
Develop Oklahoma into an Olympic training and become the world's water sports capital; Association with the Olympic rings would bring global awareness to Oklahoma, and the water sports focus redefine dry and dusty perceptions of Oklahoma once and for all. Specific developments to further this idea include a central training facility on the Oklahoma River adjacent to the crossroads of the nations. This could include an enhanced river venue for rowing, canoe/kayak, and other water sports, a white water course for world class competitions, a interactive Olympic museum, a high performance training center, permanent lighting for night racing on the river, and spectator facilities. The central focus of this venue will make it accessible to all Oklahomans and Americans. Other concepts include an iconic suspension bridge as an appropriate landmark at the nation's cross roads, while also removing obstructions from the river to elevate the world-class status of the Oklahoma River venue and providing pedestrian connectivity to the south side of the river. Olympic training venues could be extended to appropriate venues across the state, with connection to other lake and river resources.
The state of Oklahoma should create the "Oklahoma Olympic Opportunity Fund" to support the development of Olympic-related events, attractions, and initiatives. This fund would provide resources to attract and retain national governing bodies of Olympic Sports, world class events, and training center status at various venues across the state. Oklahoma, as home of Jim Thorpe and other famous Olympians could become known as the "Olympic State" and develop a new global identity that would stimulate economic development while enhancing statewide pride in Oklahoma. This comprehensive Olympic Opportunity plan could be launched and celebrated in 2009, the 20 year anniversary of the Oklahoma Olympic Festival. |
|
TOPIC: 100 Ideas
IDEA: OKLAHOMA STATE COMMUNITY FORUM
Goal: Promote a More Successful Oklahoma
Let's keep Oklahoma moving forward with a statewide online forum, dedicated to preserving the 100 Ideas concept. This website would be a "place" where individuals could meet together to communicate thoughts and ideas regarding the issues that face Oklahoma. It would essentially be an ever evolving OKLAHOMA ONLINE think tank...
New challenges can arise at any time and Oklahoma is full of creative and talented people who have the potential to work together to formulate ideas and create solutions for the future success of Oklahoma. A State Communication Forum would allow the people of Oklahoma to have a centralized place to communicate with one another and focus on solving problems...
Rural residents could discuss ideas with other rural area residents on how to deal with issues, etc. People from cities all over Oklahoma could use this as a tool to "meet" and work together to promote a more successful Oklahoma.
|
|
TOPIC: Education
This may be repetitive of an earlier submission but here it is and not necessarily in the order of any priority:
1. Move the testing period for mandated tests to the end of hte school year so that more of the school year's subject matter is testing on. Currently, tests are calibrated based on curriculum for the first 3/4 of the year. We want are kids to be instructed for the maximum amount of the year if possible.
2. Consider working women employed by private employers when working on school calendars. Vacation days are precious and it's hard to use them for the wierd days off for professional development and other breaks. Child care options are easier when it is a Monday through Friday week (such as summer break) than for all of the single days off.
3. Consider the children of disfunctional and abusive homes when working on school calendars. Many children will be enrolled in multiple school districts in one year depending on child neglect issues, foster care and other sad issues. Having a uniform school calendar helps more kids stay on course with a scope and sequence on curriculum throughout the state.
4. Consider families and quality time when working on school calendars. It makes more sense for school calendars for K-12 to be in alignment than for everyone to follow a university schedule. In short, let families have their summers (Memorial Day to Labor Day) back to enjoy all the shoreline oppportunities the state offers. This also lets high school kids have a learning experience with entry level jobs. The issue of getting high school finals over before Christmas/Winter Break is a sad testimony that teachers don't think kids can remember the curriculum over a period of two weeks. A whole generation of people (at least mine did) managed to pass finals given after Christmas/Winter break.
5. Consider conservation and utility budgets in school calendars. I tend to think that it is is more costly to run schools in late July and August than in winter but perhaps a cost analysis could be done. Other states have done such studies. I know that tourism income drops when school starts. Tourism income helps fund public budgets.
Thank you for considering these ideas. |
|
TOPIC: Wage garnishment
I have few ideas for OK as I have lived here long enough to know how government works here. But today one of the laws OK have on the books that is affecting me is wage garnishment for creditor debt. This is the second time I've had a garnishment. It started in 2002. I moved here with my 16 yr old son when Kelly AFB was closed by the Base Realignment Closure Committee. I soon found out that though my husband whom I have been separated from since 1999, and I clearly had mutual debt that because I lived in OKlahoma (and worked for DOD), and he lived in Texas, it left the lawyers to come after my wages which were susceptible to OK's garnishment ;aws and that's what happened. Over the course of the next 2 1/2 years, I paid out over $17,000.00 in payments--up to 30% more than I originally owed. It was only after I was able to get a loan from my 401K plan that I was able to get the company out of my pocket.
NOw it's happening again. I'm in financial trouble and my wages are being garnished again. I'm not sure--but are you aware the states below do not allow wages for ceditor debt to be garnished:
In certain states your wages cannot be garnished for certain liabilities. For instance, if you owe taxes, they will garnish your wages, if you owe child support and have been a deadbeat parent, they will garner your wages, however, there are some jurisdictions that will not garnish your wages for certain unsecured debt.
Florida but only if you are head of household.
South Carolina, too!
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina and Texas do not allow wage garnishment for creditor debt. Florida does not have specific laws prohibiting the action, but does have laws that make it very difficult for wage garnishment against the "head of household."
Kansas - Special "purchased paper" law. Basically, if an account is sold to another company *BEFORE* judgment, a wage garnishment is not allowed. If an account is sold to another company *AFTER* judgment, then a wage garnishment is allowed.
Please, please, please, can the state legislature change the terms of the garnishment law. 1) Because federal/ state workers are the targets, e.g. not paying back cash or payday loans in a timely manner; 2) Single mothers whose husbands live in a wage garnishment free state or more vulnerable and are the ultimate victims of this law.
I appreciate this forum to apprise you of this really terrible law and hope you will forward it to the proper legislator to get it off the books.
Paying taxes and paying for all the monies taking from me from this garnishment makes me want to get as far away from Oklahoma as I can get. Please don't me down I really like it here. |
|
TOPIC: Government Reform
Charter Agencies (allow agencies to sign up on a voluntary basis, require a certain amount of savings, allow them to be entrepreneurial and cut through red tape) |
|
TOPIC: Flags at public schools
I have begun to notice the numerous, tattered American and Oklahoma State
flags that fly at our public schools. This after discovering that at my
children's school the flags have been routinely taken down, wadded into a
heap and tossed over by the front entrance for several years. The problem
was corrected after I pitched a fit that had to go to board level
administration to provide relief. This is especially shameful during this
time of extraordinary service from our military. IDEA: I would love to see
a law requiring the reinstitution of a simple color guard in every single
public school with a place of honor provided for the flags to be kept. This
should cost nothing and reap many benefits to restore pride and respect of
our colors in schools, teach children civil duty and protocol, and provide a
way for students who have behaved or have good grades to participate in the
school and be honored. If you think this is already occuring I challenge
you to find 10 elementary schools, view the condition of the flags and
contact the school to find out who takes the flag down and where it goes. Is
it folded up correctly or thrown into the janitors closet? It is sad to
have to legislate this but something desperately needs to be done! |
|
TOPIC: Combine Commission for Teacher Preparation w/Regents for Higher Ed
Because the Commission's main objective is teacher preparation, it is only logical that the agency charged with overseeing the institutions that produce future teachers be the ones that develop the professional standards. This shrinks government for the betterment of Oklahoma's students. |
|
TOPIC: Education
I want to see Oklahoma set the pace for education not only in the United States, but around the world. Everyone says they support education and teachers and the bureacracy that runs education, but to be educationally ranked 47th among the 50 states & for the US to be 17th among industrialized nations is pathetic. We draw so many international students in for college, but are we really preparing Oklahoma's secondary school students to succeed in a global economy? The salvation of education was supposed to be the lottery, and although i can not dispute the gross dollars that the lottery & casino gaming has removed from Oklahomans' pockets even Scott Meachum & Mary Fallin had great difficulty in explaining to me when I asked them for a solid dollar amount that went to the schools from the lottery. After discussing the "Formula" that creates the breakdown for education they both simply said, "we don't know how much money goes to schools from the lottery."
All that to add some validity to what you'll immediately dismiss as a terrible idea, but it's my idea non-the-less...if we implemented it fully it would dramatically change education for the better in Oklahoma...and if it doesn't work we can go back to the current program, which also doesn't work.
My idea is to allow parents the opportunity to request funds for school be made payable to private schools, classical christian schools, or home-school associations (not directly to parents) instead of to the local public schools. Few in the state education administration arena would support this move, but then again...they've played a part in our current ranking. |
|
TOPIC: Require basic personal finance course in high school
High schools should offer, as one of the required math credits, a course covering personal finance basics such as reconciling a checkbook, household budgeting, the implications of relying too heavily on credit cards, how to understand a car loan document, an apartment lease, etc. It could help young people figure out the typical standard of living of someone only earning minimum wage (i.e. the housing, clothes, transportation, entertainment, etc. that they could afford living on minimum wage). It would certainly motivate many students to work harder to increase their skills (and thus their demand in the job market) through technical school or college, and could keep them from needless financial hardships down the road. |
|
TOPIC: Clearly posted address numbers on businesses
It is extremely difficult to locate business addresses when no numbers are clearly posted on the business, or on any of the surrounding businesses. It would be so easy to add numbers to each building to solve this common frustration and time-waster. It would certainly help emergency vehicles find the proper addresses faster, too, when seconds could mean life or death. Heightening awareness through business organizations, the post office, etc. could motivate businesses to voluntarily post their street numbers.
Thank you for this idea forum. |
|
TOPIC: Reform the Central Purchasing Act to make state purchasing more cost effective
Reform the state’s procurement procedures by creating more effective purchasing practices via e-procurement while maintaining high-quality government services to the state. The only obstacle in the way of going to an e-procurement system is a provision in the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act that requires all bidders to submit a notarized sworn statement attachment to each bid.
Enacting this reform would lower prices charged to the state and provide better services through increased competition. It would also improve vendor diversity and provide more access for smaller businesses. It would also save resources and by reducing paperwork.
|
|
TOPIC: Increase efficiency in state procurement with bulk purchasing or reverse auctions
In a reverse auction, buyers set up an auction event to receive bids from suppliers. Buyers establish specifications for supplies or (far less often) services. When the auction opens, suppliers begin entering their price quotes. They bid down the price of fulfilling the requirement until a pre-determined time period ends. A number of state and federal agencies have adopted reverse auctions as part of their procurement strategies.
For example, Pennsylvania was the first state in the country to use reverse auctions in procurement. Contracting with a private online auction firm, the state purchased $30 million in rock salt for roads and saved $2.5 million. The state also purchased aluminum for license plates and coal for heating state buildings.
The Naval Supply Systems Command in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania held the first federal reverse auction. Firms competed to sell important components for ejection seats for various aircraft. The bidding period lasted fifty-one minutes. An award immediately followed. The Navy says that it saved $2.375 million.
So what happens in reverse auctions? Agencies often pre-screen their pool of suppliers before allowing them to participate. Because the low bidder is often declared the winner, buyers don't want to get stuck with irresponsible suppliers offering lower quality products. Bids that are too low make buyers nervous.
Auctions are usually run by private firms under contract with the state. Vendors pre-register and, in some cases, undergo training before the bidding begins. Suppliers bid remotely from their offices through an Internet connection and Web browser. Their identities are not revealed to fellow suppliers. Typically the auction firm is paid by the agency, but sometimes the winning vendor pays a fee in the form of a percentage of the winning bid price.
|
|
TOPIC: Updating Agency Technology
Oklahoma’s technology capabilities among state agencies are considered archaic and in need of updating.
The state should conduct a technology audit to determine how to make state agencies more efficient and improve agency capabilities.
Such an audit would surely discover ways to cut costs and improve efficiency i.e. by expediting response among agencies and reducing usage of paper.
Most state agencies are in desperate need of technology updates. A technology audit would allow the state to determine how to make government more efficient and more responsive to Oklahoma citizens.
|
|
TOPIC: Sports initiative
Greetings Speaker Cargill-
I would like to see a velodrome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velodrome) built on the site of the old Stroud strip mall. It is freeway adjacent and right in between Tulsa and OKC. I would gladly take the short 45 minute trip from Tulsa to see cyclists race in one of the most exciting and grueling endurance competitions ever conceived. The amount of power that these athletes create is incredible. The spectacle of their endurance is second to none.
I think that this facility could be a draw for cyclists from Kansas, Texas, Arkansas and Missouri.
So give it a thought. Wouldn't you pay to see athletes traveling 50+kph, inches away from one another, no brakes and only their guts, steely nerves and super-human cardio machines to push them on to victory?
Thanks,
Andrew Maddox,
cycling enthusiast
|
|
TOPIC: Roads and bridges
Recent bridge failures has made known roads and bridges inadequacies:
1. Heavy trucks are shortening lifespans.
'2. Commuter traffic is clogging traffic mornings and evenings.
3. Both are making construction and repairs more costly.
Solution to reduce truck and commuter traffic:
1. In addition to trucks' fees add a mileage tax, about ten cents per mile. This will make train and boat costs more competitive and reduce long haul trucking. Trucking companies already keep mileage within each state for each truck, making tax collection easy.
2. Truck mileage tax earmarked for subsidizing car pooling through employers, about ten cents per mile per passenger. Some employers already encourage car pooling to save parking costs so could administer this at no cost for drivers to get all of the subsidy.
|
|
TOPIC: recycling.... smoke in workplace
Manditory recycling once a week ( with trash service ) Everyone gets a recyling container that is similar only smaller than the wheeled trash containers that Tulsa provides. The recycling boxes that we are given are too small to contain the recycling that builds up over the present 2-3 week span between pick up. Since glass is something that we recycle it can get pretty heavy and I don't see our older folks being able to carry the stuff to the street.
**** We could do the twice a month pick up if our containers were larger and had wheels****
Manditory smokeless workplaces......ALL WORKPLACES >>>> that includes bars and clubs and dance halls. why should musicians, waitstaff, customers be forced to breath dangerous second hand smoke in those places where we have decided it effects the health of everyone else in every other kind of work place???? just doen't make sense to me |
|
TOPIC: Energy Storage Leadership
Lead the country in design, development, manufacture and technical support for economical thermal and inertial energy storage mechanisms that extend the reach and viability of wind, hydro and solar power and improve the statewide use of energy from fossil fuel power plants. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Stop building satellite campuses. We do not need an OSU or OU campus in every city. It dilutes our resources. And it makes the price of a college education go through the roof. And it takes money out of my pocket. |
|
TOPIC: Pharmaceuticals
Pass a law that forces drug companies to sell their drugs as cheaply in Oklahoma as they do anywhere, including other countries. |
|
TOPIC: Pharmaceuticals
Make it illegal for drug companies to advertise. |
|
TOPIC: Lawyers
Make it illegal for lawyers to advertise. |
|
TOPIC: Marriage
Make divorce illegal. |
|
TOPIC: OHLAP
Stop OHLAP. It's pure socialism. I had enough money saved to pay for one year of college for each of my daughters. After that they are on their own. Stop putting so much emphasis on a college education. A college degree doesn't have anything to do with your success or happiness. I ought to know. I have two of them. I would be a half million dollars ahead if I had taken welding in high school and skipped college. |
|
TOPIC: State Funding - Higherf Education
One of the parameters for state funding is the offering of new programs and degrees. In addition, there is funding on a 50% basis for endowed chairs. Is this accomplishing the intended result? I think not. It definitely contributes to increasing tuition at our state colleges - to the extent that it is almost out of the question for many Oklahomans. Those kit hardest are perhaps those who are over the required income limits for assistance, but not enough to provide assistance to their children, thereby resulting in too many Oklahomans graduating with huge debts for even batchelor degrees.
It is immaterial what education is offered in private universities, but an effort should be made to make a college education more affordable to the average family and student of our state. If the only argument is that we are comparable to surrounding states, perhaps they are also contributing to a problem students should not have. |
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Develop a comprehensive public transportation system for the state’s two metro areas. This will enable more working class citizens to access better jobs, cut down on highway use and pollution, save fuel, and provide an alternative transportation network and the continued functioning of area military installations in case of disruption of fuel supplies. In order to do this expeditiously: 1. Put a moratorium on construction of the new Crosstown Expressway in Oklahoma City. Re-decking the existing Crosstown will provide a cost avoidance of some $500 million ($557 million latest documented cost of new Crosstown versus $50 million to re-deck). Re-using the Union Station rail yard will save countless dollars and time for acquisition of right of way, demolition, and new construction to build the intermodal yard anywhere else. 2. Legislature to enable and require existing transit agencies in OKC and Tulsa metro areas to apply for planning grants (http://www.fta.dot.gov/funding/data/grants_financing_1591.html) from the US Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Oklahoma City has a completed Fixed Guideway Study, but it will need to be updated to include use of the rail yard at Union Station as the basis for its intermodal transit station. 3. Use a vote of central cities and suburbs in each metro area to dedicate a temporary one cent of sales tax (Train MAPS) to fund the local portion of required capital costs. Use a similar vote to dedicate a quarter-cent of sales tax long-term for the local portion of operating costs. 4. Apply for capital grants (funded at 80 federal/20 local) (http://www.fta.dot.gov/funding/grants_financing_7205.html) for system construction from FTA. 5. Apply for operating grants (50/50) from FTA. |
|
TOPIC: Military Retired Pay
More protection is needed for our veterans by legistlating the prohibition of Military Retired Pay and VA Disability Compensation as an award/garnishment by state Divorce Judges just as Puerto Rico has prohibited division and considers it the sole property of the service member in accordance with the USFSPA which Puerto Rico falls under as well.This is a Federal entitlement and not a qualified pension plan as defined by Defense Finance Accounting Service, U.S. Solicitor General,U.S. Comptroller.The IRS has defined retired pay as a current wage.The Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA) 10 U.S.C. 1408 allows the individual state to treat retired pay as "property" it does not mandate/require state courts to do so. In fact, 10 U.S.C. 1408 specifically states that a court "may treat disposable retired pay...inaccordance with the law of the jurisdiction of such court." The state courts are ignoring the federal statute and automatically awarding retired pay for "LIFE" to a former spouse regardeless of lenghth of marriage,circumstances or merit. The former spouse still recieves payments even if they remarry. In fact, the only mention of the USFSPA in any Oklahoma statute is Title 43 Alimoney and Maintenance. How can retired pay be classified as alimoney and then magically turned into property. The courts have ignored this state staute as well and have even disregarded certain sections of the USFSPA that state "payments shall terminate to the former spouse in accordance with the applicable court order". |
|
TOPIC: Masterplann Starts with Surveying our Asset Base
Downtown Tulsa Masterplann Starts with Surveying our Asset Base:
In order to take advantage of the opportunities in Downtown Tulsa we might do best to understand our goals, inventory our environmental assets (using the word loosely) and try to affect these with the addition of appropriate incentives to support their continuity.
• Develop an assessment review using the Urban Land Institute criteria for understanding the City’s capabilities; Both ULI and the American Institute of Architects have produced a check list including assessment of the city’s assets, listings of the institutions which support development, and Philanthropic Foundations.
• Consider applying to the AIA as a candidate for their R.U.D.A.T. (Rural/Urban Design Architectural Team) or the ULI as a candidate for their Urban Design Workshop program. If our City assessment of supporting assets warrants it, either program will provide Professionals in the planning and architectural areas to hold a design Workshop in Tulsa, resulting in a Master plan, a collection of attainable goals, an action plan and a follow-up assessment.
Concept:
Taking advantage of the resulting Master Program/Plan, Tulsa should consider what kinds of economic incentives, enacted over time, that we are able and willing to provide to encourage specific development; Goal driven incentives.
C. Long Range Background Thoughts:: The population of our GMSA does not constitute the numbers to warrant the growth, job opportunity and other amenities of the larger metropolises which are attracting talent and work force. We need to think regionally to attain the pure density and demand that can support these amenities. We need to think regionally to obtain the Federal support that could be brought to Oklahoma in benefit of our two major and several academic based Cities in N.E. OK.
Rachel W. Zebrowski, AIA
(918) 625-1495
|
|
TOPIC: Downtow Tulsa- Competes as First Choice Location for Businesses
Downtown Tulsa as a Competitor for Business Relocation:
For a revitalization to happen in Tulsa, we need to understand why our Downtown is not a first choice destination for primarily businesses, educational institutions, and employers. I have read a statistic that only 10% of our population really wants to live in an urban environment so we must look to other non-residential activities as well, to support revitalization. In short, it is our own suburban communities that are providing easier, accessible, cheaper supported use of their infrastructures that are the real competitor for Downtown Tulsa, more so than other cities.
Concept:
Support the infrastructure and amenities that make Downtown a preferred competitive choice for location.
• Office rental rates have not significantly increased in over a dozen years in Downtown while construction costs have risen over 40% in the same period. Rental rates are artificially suppressed by the heavy parking fees required to pay down the cost of construction of new garages. The City ends up having to support Downtown services and infrastructure because there is not a strong enough tax base, comparable to the base of suburban areas, to support the maintenance required.
• There are many services and considerable improved infrastructure Downtown that we are not promoting in a competitive manner; Downtown is greatly more accessible, and ADA compliant for elderly and people with physical limitations than our sub-urban market competitors. Downtown has the closest corner on the density needed to provide a culturally rich urban environment.. and more.
If City of Tulsa provided subsidized parking –causing competitive parking costs, then Landlords could raise rental rates, increase revenue and willingly pay higher taxes to support better infrastructure. Perhaps the City would buy the Williams complex of garages or use some of the City property that is to be studied in its up coming Land Use review for privately developed - City subsidized new garages to offer low rate downtown parking. This would be one step to reverse the cycle of declining infrastructure and assist landlords in becoming viable candidates for relocating businesses.
Rachel W. Zebrowski, AIA
(918) 625-1495 |
|
TOPIC: Airport for Regional NE OK
Long Range Background Thoughts:
The population of our GMSA does not constitute the numbers to warrant the growth, job opportunity and other amenities of the larger metropolises which are attracting talent and work force. We need to think regionally to attain the pure density and demand that can support these amenities. We need to think regionally to obtain the Federal support that could be brought to Oklahoma in benefit of our two major and several academic based Cities in N.E. OK.
Long Range Concept:
Taking advantage of the strongest industry in common in our region; the aerospace sector, we should tie that strength to one of our weakest regional options; air transportation and accessibility to other business centers. Oklahoma is known as one of the “Fly-Over States”. I was driving from an Urban Land Institute Conference in Denver to DIA and over the 50 minutes that it took to get from Denver to the Denver airport this thought occurred:
• N.E. Oklahoma could find a central environment to locate an International Airport to serve Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Stillwater and Norman.
• Employing parts of the rail lines in place, build a high speed (medium speed) rail system that would both connect the airport to all 4 points as well as causing transportation linkages between these Cities, workplaces, and the Universities which support them.
• The composite population of these cities probably significantly exceeds the population of Denver at the time they proposed, funded and built DIA.
• Aggressive petitioning for Federal and regional Grant and Transportation assistance could produce a wind-fall of regional construction jobs, coalescence of regional governments as one goal seeking collection, as well as produce a major mid central transportation hub.
Rachel W. Zebrowski, AIA
(918) 625-1495
|
|
TOPIC: Voting
I believe one of two different changes should be made in county elections:
1. They should be non-partisan elections as school boards, city councils, and mayors
or
2. If there is no candidate running in either party for a county office, all voters should be allowed regardless of party affiliation for the final election to the office. They should not be allowed to vote in primary elections, only the final election. These county officials represent all voters in the county and should be accountable to them. |
|
TOPIC: Urban Rail
The Legislature should study what has been done in New Mexico regarding urban rail as an adjunct to the highway and urban street system. The legislature should use some of the energy one-time revenue to make grants to OKC and Tulsa Metros for intermodal transportation in developing a comprehensive light rail system that is the most cost effective and that can also stimulate further economic development. This is also a "green" program for Oklahoma that already has an air quality problem in its two major metro areas. Even other mid sized metros are moving aggressively to establish urban rail. Leave it to local government, perhaps through addtional state enabling legislation, to provide for operating funds after initial state capitalization of the urban rail systems. |
|
TOPIC: Bike Paths
Bike paths from MWC to Bricktown, to the Zoo, downtown OKC, around the River, plus paths to walk there. Even paths to Moore, Norman, Edmond. Get our kids out on bikes instead of sitting at computers.
I also would like to see every place that sells food have a rating on their window===A Best. B amd on down to F. Some of the places would get cleaned up fast. After one inspection a year if you wanted to try and upgrade you would pay for the extra inspection. Some states have done this for years. Why can't the people of Okla. know where the clean places are? |
|
TOPIC: Consolidate Agency Water Functions
Currently, 7 agencies/commissions have jurisdiction over water permitting and use. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board, created in 1957, is responsible for implementing water use law in Oklahoma, including issuing permits for wells and irrigation.
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality’s vision is "to eliminate the effects of unintended consequences of historic development, to prevent new adverse environmental impacts and to provide significant input into national decision-making, all the while enhancing both the environment and the economy of Oklahoma," according to the agency’s Web site.
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board received $6.8 million in funding this year while the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality received $9.7 million.
Combining the two agencies could actually free up federal dollars. It is not uncommon for one agency to receive federal money that the other agency does not. However, federal guidelines would allow the money to be used for projects now handled at both agencies if those projects were under the umbrella of a single department in the future.
|
|
TOPIC: The Issue of Fairness
We have known for many years that it is nearly impossible to get the attention of Congress without providing millions of dollars in political contributions, and spending millions more on
paid lobbyists. When you don't have all of this, bad things are allowed to happen. In areas
of conflict, such as Darfur, Rwanda, and Cambodia, Congress did nothing while millions were killed by acts of known genocide --- because the people being killed had no political influence in the U.S., or elsewhere. When it comes to domestic issues, those with the power get what they want. Congress has given the multi-billion dollar petroleum companies billions of dollars in tax incentives, and leased them oil/ gas drilling rights, on public lands, for little or no return to the public. Meanwhile, persons with no lobby must suffer many forms of abuse. As an example, a small inventor must now pay thousands of dollars in fees for a patent application and related services, plus patent maintenance fees that go on for years. Such inventors help create thousands of new jobs with their inventions, but they are penalized for their creativity. In brief, there is now a real issue of fairness when it comes to treatment of those with wealth and power as compared to the treatment of those without. |
|
TOPIC: Candidates for President
Many of the "100 Ideas" will be appropriate for the nation. Make certain that each candidate for President gets a copy. |
|
TOPIC: Consolidate administrative system in public education
Flatten administrative structure and consolidate administrative system in public education.
Jim Wheeler
Nick Carden
S. Luke Wyant
Samuel Varnum
Brian Schmalbach
Greg Brazie
Yu Cheung Lee
Stafford Marquardt
|
|
TOPIC: State Infrastructure - Alternative Energy
State infrastructure (buildings, schools, airports, universities) all use alternative energy by 2020.
Jim Wheeler
Nick Carden
S. Luke Wyant
Samuel Varnum
Brian Schmalbach
Greg Brazie
Yu Cheung Lee
Stafford Marquardt
|
|
TOPIC: Street lights, traffic lights on solar powered batteries.
Street lights, traffic lights on solar powered batteries.
Jim Wheeler
Nick Carden
S. Luke Wyant
Samuel Varnum
Brian Schmalbach
Greg Brazie
Yu Cheung Lee
Who Flung Doo
Stafford Marquardt
|
|
TOPIC: Money for Entrepreneurs
Business: Give free money (no matching funds required) to entrepreneurs who want to start businesses in Oklahoma.
Shad Satterthwaite
Killian Naylor
Blaine Pinard
Tyler Ledlow
Lindyn Lamb
Travis Webb
Amanda Holloway
Chase Gilmore
Jonathan Ross
|
|
TOPIC: Healthcare & Education
Healthcare/Education: Integrate health into public education and provide incentives for healthy living.
Shad Satterthwaite
Killian Naylor
Blaine Pinard
Tyler Ledlow
Lindyn Lamb
Travis Webb
Amanda Holloway
Chase Gilmore
Jonathan Ross
|
|
TOPIC: Teach for Oklahoma Program
Social Science: Create and support a Teach for Oklahoma program similar to Teach for America. Partnerships with universities and employers like TFA.
Shad Satterthwaite
Killian Naylor
Blaine Pinard
Tyler Ledlow
Lindyn Lamb
Travis Webb
Amanda Holloway
Chase Gilmore
Jonathan Ross
|
|
TOPIC: Fund the Oklahoma Spaceport
Fund the Oklahoma Spaceport (like the perimeter fence) and market it to the people of the state.
Awal Jalil
Tory Camerer
Gina Bullock
Thaian Truong
Lara Saavedra
Christina Forest
Brian Van
Andy Rieger
|
|
TOPIC: Basic Health Education
Introduce basic health consistently through schools, beginning at an early age. (Use a state standardized curriculum and incorporate into existing P.E. classes. Educate on nutrition, drugs/alcohol, sex. Any necessary funding via lottery). Decrease obesity, better quality of life.
Awal Jalil
Tory Camerer
Gina Bullock
Thaian Truong
Lara Saavedra
Christina Forest
Brian Van
Andy Rieger
|
|
TOPIC: Train Service for You & Your Car
Whiz Bang! Tulsa-OKC-Dallas Car Trains! Trains that will carry you & your automobile.
Awal Jalil
Tory Camerer
Gina Bullock
Thaian Truong
Lara Saavedra
Christina Forest
Brian Van
Andy Rieger
|
|
TOPIC: Various Environmental Improvements
Subway/Rail System interconnecting state (to cut down on automobile use & emissions) "green measures" - commuter rail. Ban Styrofoam. Ecofriendly initiatives. Trash pickup by individuals. Accessible recycling (curbside)
Whitney Cox
Bryce Ballard
Tiffany Cravey
Lauren Haller
Kim Saylor
Daniel Pullin
Maggie Cochrane
E.A. Joseph
|
|
TOPIC: Attract & Retain Young Professionals
Top 10 state in attraction and retention of young professionals: - Branding of opportunities - Tax incentives - Higher education investments
Whitney Cox
Bryce Ballard
Tiffany Cravey
Lauren Haller
Kim Saylor
Daniel Pullin
Maggie Cochrane
E.A. Joseph
|
|
TOPIC: Healthcare
Healthcare: - Tuition reimbursement, education awards, living stipends incentive programs for medical professionals to cover rural areas; - Healthy Propaganda", promotes the healthy eating and exercise habits of Oklahomans. Example, fast foods taxes, healthier grocery options.
Andrew Elliott
Jon Rittenhouse
Michael A. Bradford
Chris Howard
Katie Smith
Darrel Schreiner
Felipe Armaza
Robbie Miller
Evan John
|
|
TOPIC: Community Diversity Education
Community Diversity Education: - Elementary sister school exchange program with teacher discussions and training…"Operation Open Mind".
Andrew Elliott
Jon Rittenhouse
Michael A. Bradford
Chris Howard
Katie Smith
Darrel Schreiner
Felipe Armaza
Robbie Miller
Evan John
|
|
TOPIC: Youth Citizen Service
Youth Citizen Service: - Commercials/Movie Trails about United States programs, like Americorps & Teach for America. Also, information that is EASILY accessible to all youth in America.
Andrew Elliott
Jon Rittenhouse
Michael A. Bradford
Chris Howard
Katie Smith
Darrel Schreiner
Felipe Armaza
Robbie Miller
Evan John
|
|
TOPIC: Reputation of Oklahoma
Reputation: - Entertainment, International appeal with Disney World/Land! - Tours of Oklahoma, change the stereo-type.
Andrew Elliott
Jon Rittenhouse
Michael A. Bradford
Chris Howard
Katie Smith
Darrel Schreiner
Felipe Armaza
Robbie Miller
Evan John
|
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma "Alumni" network
Oklahoma "Alumni" network to track citizens/graduates and keep them informed of Oklahoma opportunities.
Jared Ryan
David Burkhart
Patrick Roberts
Stephanie Callaway
Don Wood
Anil Gollahalli
|
|
TOPIC: Population Growth
Population Growth - Retain and attract young people by waiving income tax for those under 30.
Jared Ryan
David Burkhart
Patrick Roberts
Stephanie Callaway
Don Wood
Anil Gollahalli
|
|
TOPIC: Build Arts Community
Build Arts Community - Develop on arts incubator to teach artists about the "business" of art.
Jared Ryan
David Burkhart
Patrick Roberts
Stephanie Callaway
Don Wood
Anil Gollahalli
|
|
TOPIC: David Boren Space Port
David Boren Space Port
Courtney Bucklin
Joseph Hunt
Jessica Miryungson
John Dell
Lauren Harkrider
Molly Routt
Margaret Ellis
Craig Lavoie
|
|
TOPIC: Scholarship reform for students to remain in Oklahoma.
Scholarship reform for students to remain in Oklahoma.
Courtney Bucklin
Joseph Hunt
Jessica Miryungson
John Dell
Lauren Harkrider
Molly Routt
Margaret Ellis
Craig Lavoie
|
|
TOPIC: Bring Teach for America to Oklahoma.
Bring Teach for America to Oklahoma.
Courtney Bucklin
Joseph Hunt
Jessica Miryungson
John Dell
Lauren Harkrider
Molly Routt
Margaret Ellis
Craig Lavoie
|
|
TOPIC: Provide Healthcare for Working Poor
Provide healthcare for working poor contingent on health education classes.
Courtney Bucklin
Joseph Hunt
Jessica Miryungson
John Dell
Lauren Harkrider
Molly Routt
Margaret Ellis
Craig Lavoie
|
|
TOPIC: OKC - International Airport
Make Oklahoma City airport and International Airport - Tax incentives for major airlines to have a hub in OKC.
Katherine Ashland
Kristin Henjum
Stephanie Seybert
Kelly Damphousse
Justin Briggs
Cameron McCoy
|
|
TOPIC: Tax Incentives for Companies Moving to OK
Tax incentives to encourage big companies to move to Oklahoma. Goal: to revitalize the downtown area, and bring more opportunity.
Katherine Ashland
Kristin Henjum
Stephanie Seybert
Kelly Damphousse
Justin Briggs
Cameron McCoy
|
|
TOPIC: New OK License Plates
Image: New license plates/I.D's, to look more sophisticated. (new tourism website).
Katherine Ashland
Kristin Henjum
Stephanie Seybert
Kelly Damphousse
Justin Briggs
Cameron McCoy
|
|
TOPIC: New Slogan for Oklahoma
New Slogan - Instead of the middle of nowhere…."The Center of Everything".
Katherine Ashland
Kristin Henjum
Stephanie Seybert
Kelly Damphousse
Justin Briggs
Cameron McCoy
|
|
TOPIC: Promoting OK Hospitality
Oklahoma Hello - Advertise/promote Oklahoma hospitality and spirit of Oklahoma!
John Woodson
Will Cunningham
Krishna Vedala
Munim Deen
Shara Shutts
Becky Barker
Chris Shilling
Derek Perkins
|
|
TOPIC: Free Higher Education Options
Free higher education option with: a) Commit to stay in state specified # of years; b) Responsibility to pay % of after tax earnings bade to state, starting 5 years after graduation.
John Woodson
Will Cunningham
Krishna Vedala
Munim Deen
Shara Shutts
Becky Barker
Chris Shilling
Derek Perkins
|
|
TOPIC: Interstate railway system powered by alternative (wind & sun) energy sources
Interstate railway system powered by alternative (wind & sun) energy sources.
John Woodson
Will Cunningham
Krishna Vedala
Munim Deen
Shara Shutts
Becky Barker
Chris Shilling
Derek Perkins
|
|
TOPIC: Decrease and consolidate public school districts
Decrease and consolidate public school districts. Reduce admin. positions to generate funding to increase teacher pay.
John Woodson
Will Cunningham
Krishna Vedala
Munim Deen
Shara Shutts
Becky Barker
Chris Shilling
Derek Perkins
|
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma - Affordable Tourism
Make Oklahoma a place for affordable tourism for Central US through frontier programs.
Colin Fitzsimons
Becky Freeman
Ben Ikard
Stephen Tremaine
Chase Bridgeforth
Joshua Wadlin
Jeff Ragan
Robert Lepak
John Collins
|
|
TOPIC: Oil Drilling by product Brine Water to potable water through oil comp incentive
Oil Drilling by product Brine Water to potable water through oil comp incentive.
Colin Fitzsimons
Becky Freeman
Ben Ikard
Stephen Tremaine
Chase Bridgeforth
Joshua Wadlin
Jeff Ragan
Robert Lepak
John Collins
|
|
TOPIC: Restructuring K-12 education system.
Restructuring K-12 education system. Children studying one skill in a block system.
Colin Fitzsimons
Becky Freeman
Ben Ikard
Stephen Tremaine
Chase Bridgeforth
Joshua Wadlin
Jeff Ragan
Robert Lepak
John Collins
|
|
TOPIC: Train from OKC to Tulsa and maybe Dallas.
Train from OKC to Tulsa and maybe Dallas.
Colin Fitzsimons
Becky Freeman
Ben Ikard
Stephen Tremaine
Chase Bridgeforth
Joshua Wadlin
Jeff Ragan
Robert Lepak
John Collins
|
|
TOPIC: Constructing An Interstate Highway - Oklahoma City to Denver - The Proposed "I-33"
In this day and age, where transportation is so critical to the success of numerous industries, it is imperative that key hubs and metro areas are linked adequately by both air and land.
While Oklahoma City has direct interstate highway connections to Dallas, Wichita/Kansas City, and Little Rock, there is no direct interstate highway connection to another key Midwestern metropolis - Denver.
I believe that the State of Oklahoma, in cooperation with the State of Kansas, the State of Colorado, and the U.S. Federal Government, should spearhead the idea of constructing an interstate highway that runs from Oklahoma City, through Northwest Oklahoma & Southwest Kansas, and into Southeast Colorado leading up to Denver. This artery will greatly benefit the agriculture, gas/mineral/oil, and trucking industries seeing as that they will no longer have to go west on I-40 to the 1-25 merger in Albuquerque, *or* head north to the I-70 merger in Central Kansas.
Perhaps the most beneficial, and unseen, aspect of this project would be the business that would come to Northwest Oklahoma, an area riddled with people clamoring for economic development. Many nationwide cities & towns that thrive on interstate business (i.e. Amarillo, Texas; and Cheyenne, Wyoming, to name a few) credit the interstate system for their economic success. Oklahoma could give counties like Dewey, Major, Woodward, Ellis, Harper, & Beaver counties much need commerce.
Linking Oklahoma City's commerical and tourism success with Denver is a win-win scenario. Establishing closer ties with the "Mile High City" can only be to our benefit. Since North-South interstate highways are numerically ordered in odd numbers, orderly from east to west, one idea is to name this proposed highway "Interstate 33," half the number of Oklahoma's famous "Route 66." How appropriate! -> Philip T. Johnson (Norman, OK) |
|
TOPIC: Better standards and stricter enforcement of "Home School" requirements.
Better standards and stricter enforcement of "Home School" requirements.
Joe Freeman
Marilyn Bradford
Bruce J. Moody
|
|
TOPIC: Private guardianships over children
Expand public knowledge about private guardianships over children. To cut into unfit parenting.
Joe Freeman
Marilyn Bradford
Bruce J. Moody
|
|
TOPIC: Health Promotion
Promotion of health, fitness and nutrition from pre-K through adulthood.
Joe Freeman
Marilyn Bradford
Bruce J. Moody
|
|
TOPIC: Idea Bank: Privately funded idea bank where best ideas funded.
Idea Bank: Privately funded idea bank where best ideas funded.
Pat McCormick
Glen Armstrong
Brenda Hengel
Kaye Horrod
Nancy Antosh
Jim Antosh
Bob Perry
|
|
TOPIC: Passing Lane: Every number of miles to speed traffic.
Passing Lane: Every number of miles to speed traffic.
Pat McCormick
Glen Armstrong
Brenda Hengel
Kaye Horrod
Nancy Antosh
Jim Antosh
Bob Perry
|
|
TOPIC: School of Choice
Voucher System School of Choice: Parents given money spent on education can spend private, church or public school. Schools compete, encourages innovation, reduce costs to state, gets parents involved.
Pat McCormick
Glen Armstrong
Brenda Hengel
Kaye Horrod
Nancy Antosh
Jim Antosh
Bob Perry
|
|
TOPIC: Drop-outs to Career techs
University drop-out list to career techs and better educated work force through college/financial aid.
Paul Childers
Mike McCormick
Kim Morava
Mike Matlock
|
|
TOPIC: Ad valorem tax dollars follow students during their education.
Ad valorem tax dollars follow students during their education.
Paul Childers
Mike McCormick
Kim Morava
Mike Matlock
|
|
TOPIC: Statewide drug testing at schools.
Statewide drug testing at schools.
Paul Childers
Mike McCormick
Kim Morava
Mike Matlock
|
|
TOPIC: Preventing the Cross-Town from destroying The Union Station Rail Yard
Public Transportation: Call the Governor and ask him to place a moratorium on the proposed cross-town which will destroy the capacity of Oklahoma's only natural transportation. Hub - The Union Station Rail Yard.
Regan Green
Cathy Goodine
Guy Goodine
Jim Townsend
Steven B. Hall
|
|
TOPIC: Alternative Energy Solutions
Energy: Work harder at getting an alternative energy. We are too dependant on oil revenues.
Regan Green
Cathy Goodine
Guy Goodine
Jim Townsend
Steven B. Hall
|
|
TOPIC: Forgiveness of student loans
Student Loans: If you teach for a certain number of years, you will be forgiven of student loans.
Regan Green
Cathy Goodine
Guy Goodine
Jim Townsend
Steven B. Hall
|
|
TOPIC: Making OK Education #1
Implement a way to make Oklahoma one of the top states in primary and secondary education.
Mike Hengel
John Winterringer
Ryan Loudon
Curt Martin
Erika Jones
Michael Watters
Jim Kirby
|
|
TOPIC: Controling statewide water distribution
State control of water distribution: - Keep all of Oklahoma's water in state - Limit town/city control of water - Help limited resource areas
Mike Hengel
John Winterringer
Ryan Loudon
Curt Martin
Erika Jones
Michael Watters
Jim Kirby
|
|
TOPIC: Generate Tourism Revenue
Find a way to generate "out of state" revenue: - Vacation destinations - Entertainment district
Mike Hengel
John Winterringer
Ryan Loudon
Curt Martin
Erika Jones
Michael Watters
Jim Kirby
|
|
TOPIC: OKC-Tulsa Light Rail/Mass Transit
Create light rail/mass transit system around the state, specifically between Tulsa and OKC.
Josh Smith
Joren O. Carpenter
Matt Stiner
Ben Edwards
Jason Maloy
Chelsea Harkins
|
|
TOPIC: Intern Tax Credit
Intern Tax Credit: Create tax credit for both employer and employee to hire interns upon graduation and keep talent in the state.
Josh Smith
Joren O. Carpenter
Matt Stiner
Ben Edwards
Jason Maloy
Chelsea Harkins
|
|
TOPIC: Urban Pioneer Fund
Urban Pioneer Fund: For the use of commercial and entertainment/cultural development in urban areas.
Josh Smith
Joren O. Carpenter
Matt Stiner
Ben Edwards
Jason Maloy
Chelsea Harkins
|
|
TOPIC: NASCAR in Tulsa
Build a NASCAR track in Tulsa to build tourism and entertainment industry.
Josh Smith
Joren O. Carpenter
Matt Stiner
Ben Edwards
Jason Maloy
Chelsea Harkins
|
|
TOPIC: Business Incentives - 10 Year Tax Exemption
Ten year tax exempt for businesses to move downtown and being 100+ jobs. Funding-City-State
Brittany Sawyer
Ryan Underwood
Eric Albrecht
Ashley Davidson
Windi N. Robbins
Meaghan Gipson
|
|
TOPIC: General Improvements
Create bike lanes as part of road maintenance or construction. Funding: Parks department & hospitals. Urban metro rail system with a walkable plaza. Use this system in OKC & Tulsa. Funding: Municipal Bonds - Public/private practice.
Brittany Sawyer
Ryan Underwood
Eric Albrecht
Ashley Davidson
Windi N. Robbins
Meaghan Gipson
|
|
TOPIC: Expanding the OKC Metro through High-Speed Mass Transit Systems
High-Speed Mass Transit System: OKC, Tulsa, Dallas, KC metro, Wichita, Little Rock, Springfield - Expand our metro.
Mandy Vavrinak
Michael Willis
Stacy Rippy
Nicole Schlaefli
Darick Morton
Jessica Pitman
|
|
TOPIC: Money for Graduation
$$ for graduation - 10th graders sign contract dollars from Economic Development funds in cities.
Mandy Vavrinak
Michael Willis
Stacy Rippy
Nicole Schlaefli
Darick Morton
Jessica Pitman
|
|
TOPIC: Incarcerated individuals - Reintegration
Address challenges of previously incarcerated individuals and their families - successful - "Re-Integration".
Mandy Vavrinak
Michael Willis
Stacy Rippy
Nicole Schlaefli
Darick Morton
Jessica Pitman
|
|
TOPIC: Partnership Supporting Education
Public/Private partnership dedicated to supporting children (Pre K-8th) and families through our schools: - Life Skills - At risk behaviors - Graduation incentive - Finance
Mandy Vavrinak
Michael Willis
Stacy Rippy
Nicole Schlaefli
Darick Morton
Jessica Pitman
|
|
TOPIC: Wi-Fi integration with education
All cities and towns to have Wi-Fi capabilities and integrate with education system.
Kevin Eppler
Valerie Eppler
Tim Rundel
Rhonda Atkins
Barbara Burleson
Matt Coppock
|
|
TOPIC: Wi-Fi on Major Highways
With some cities already installing Wi-Fi/Broadband, the state should help by providing Wi-Fi on major highways to make them seamless.
Kevin Eppler
Valerie Eppler
Tim Rundel
Rhonda Atkins
Barbara Burleson
Matt Coppock
|
|
TOPIC: 1/2% sales tax returned to cities for transportation.
1/2% sales tax returned to cities for transportation.
Michael Nuttles
Michael Munn
Mary Zepeda
T. L. Gramling
Dean Garrett
David Brown
|
|
TOPIC: Economic Development Councils
Develop additional methods to raise funds for Economic Development Councils.
Michael Nuttles
Michael Munn
Mary Zepeda
T. L. Gramling
Dean Garrett
David Brown
|
|
TOPIC: "Pass It On Program"
Start a "Pass It On Program". If someone does something nice for you, you in turn do something nice for three other people!
Ricky Lee
Leona Welch
John C. Ramey
Deborah miner
Lisa Root
Dea Kretchmar
Barbara Bush
|
|
TOPIC: State Sales Tax for Bridges/Roads
1/2 cent of state sales tax for local roads and bridges. Transportation is a cornerstone of economic growth.
Randy Ewing
Mike Tinker
Jim Couch
|
|
TOPIC: Clean up and beautify the state.
Clean up and beautify the state.
Kathy Walker
Saundra Naifeh
Cathy Keller
David Poole
Neil Gray
Frank Finley
Charles Hooper
|
|
TOPIC: Chief Technical Office
Chief Technical Office for the state - Cabinet level appointed by governor.
Kathy Walker
Saundra Naifeh
Cathy Keller
David Poole
Neil Gray
Frank Finley
Charles Hooper
|
|
TOPIC: Complete the statewide water.
Complete the statewide water.
Kathy Walker
Saundra Naifeh
Cathy Keller
David Poole
Neil Gray
Frank Finley
Charles Hooper
|
|
TOPIC: Year round school for Oklahoma children.
Year round school for Oklahoma children.
Kathy Walker
Saundra Naifeh
Cathy Keller
David Poole
Neil Gray
Frank Finley
Charles Hooper
|
|
TOPIC: Consolidate City/County Govt
Consolidate City/County Government. Provide enabling legislation that allows citizens to decide whether or not to combine city/county operations.
Larry Stevens
Steve Commons
Dan O'Neil
Marc Long
Larry Mitchell
|
|
TOPIC: No tax change until unfunded mandates are funded
No changes in taxes - increase, decrease or new until unfunded mandates are funded.
Bob Walker
Randy Ross
Robert Floyd
Jerry Taylor
Peter Seikel
Jan Neufeld
Cheryl Dorrance
Mike Nunneley
Cindy Shattuck
|
|
TOPIC: Home rule - combine city and county operations.
Home rule - combine city and county operations.
Bob Walker
Randy Ross
Robert Floyd
Jerry Taylor
Peter Seikel
Jan Neufeld
Cheryl Dorrance
Mike Nunneley
Cindy Shattuck
|
|
TOPIC: Reapportionment of state sales tax
1/2 cent reapportionment from 4 1/2 cent state sales tax back to cities/towns for roads & bridges.
Bob Walker
Randy Ross
Robert Floyd
Jerry Taylor
Peter Seikel
Jan Neufeld
Cheryl Dorrance
Mike Nunneley
Cindy Shattuck
|
|
TOPIC: Out-Sourcing Prisoners
Out source prisoners to Mexico - Contract @ $9.00 a day. We transport to border
Bob Walker
Randy Ross
Robert Floyd
Jerry Taylor
Peter Seikel
Jan Neufeld
Cheryl Dorrance
Mike Nunneley
Cindy Shattuck
|
|
TOPIC: Redesign auto tag program.
Redesign auto tag program.
Pam Polk
Missy Dean
Pam Porter
Stan Sallee
|
|
TOPIC: Retain open spaces! Conserve, Reuse, Educate.
Retain open spaces! Conserve, Reuse, Educate.
Pam Polk
Missy Dean
Pam Porter
Stan Sallee
|
|
TOPIC: Rural water territorial issues.
Rural water territorial issues.
Pam Polk
Missy Dean
Pam Porter
Stan Sallee
|
|
TOPIC: Rainy Day Fund - Infrastructure Funding
Identify a portion of rainy day fund to go back to small communities for infrastructure funding.
Kirk Fisher
Joe Kingery
Dave Neely
Nancy Shipley
Tamara Maddux
Chuck Mitchell
Mike Bostic
|
|
TOPIC: Sister city exchange program.
Sister city exchange program.
Alex Damon
Mike Fina
Michael Vaughn
Clark M. Williams
|
|
TOPIC: Our youth is the future of Oklahoma!
Our youth is the future of Oklahoma! Day to Day life/Future/JFK "Ask not what your country and do for you, but what you can do for your country".
Ed Smith
Blake Jones
Shelley Crayton
Linda Turnbull
Robert Petitt
Becky McGinnis
Eve L. Atkinson
|
|
TOPIC: Historical Byways
Historical Byways: Restore old bridges for the purpose of walking trails - bike trails.
Karl Nail
Nick Nazar
Micky Webb
Jim Greff
Linda Molsebee
Cindy Frizzell
Paul Buntz
|
|
TOPIC: Make better uses of our natural resources such as wind power.
Make better uses of our natural resources such as wind power.
Karl Nail
Nick Nazar
Micky Webb
Jim Greff
Linda Molsebee
Cindy Frizzell
Paul Buntz
|
|
TOPIC: Promote education for Spanish speaking residents.
Promote education for Spanish speaking residents.
Carol C. Hausauer
Glen Hausauer
J.W. Hallmark
Jennifer Simmons
Eunice Wise
Elaine Carr
Margarett Robinson
Sherry Bishop
|
|
TOPIC: Greater interaction between the cities of the state.
Greater interaction between the cities of the state.
Pam Keeton
Pete Shabbadoob
Fabian Reyes
Wanda Evaige
Robert Johnston
Allyene Luna
Robert Meador
|
|
TOPIC: School Pride in OK
Restore the pride in the Oklahoma schools system!
David Glenn
Rodney W. Avery
Sandy McNaughton
Amy Howard
John Sheppard
|
|
TOPIC: State-Wide Fire/Police Protection
State responsible for providing police and fire protection state wide.
David Glenn
Rodney W. Avery
Sandy McNaughton
Amy Howard
John Sheppard
|
|
TOPIC: Youth Work Ethics
Youth: we need to change the mind set on the youth work ethics and youth help!
Jim Ritchey
Todd Havelaer
Karen Ritchey
Janet Brown
Pam Bush
Sherry Alessi
Cora Middleton
|
|
TOPIC: Revitalize Oklahoma's Down Towns
Support the Oklahoma Main Street program to revitalize the Down Towns in Oklahoma.
Bill Lisby
|
|
TOPIC: Funding 4 years college
Fund 4 years college for every student that qualifies. (will pay for itself in the long run).
Buzzy Marable
Guy Hylton
Tom Johnson
Teresa Mullican
|
|
TOPIC: Substitute treatment for prison - Drug offenders
Stop putting drug offenders in prison and substitute with treatment
Buzzy Marable
Guy Hylton
Tom Johnson
Teresa Mullican
|
|
TOPIC: Formulate a non-partisan political system for Oklahoma.
Formulate a non-partisan political system for Oklahoma.
Buzzy Marable
Guy Hylton
Tom Johnson
Teresa Mullican
|
|
TOPIC: Increase Tourism
Increase Tourism: Disney Property, Promote convention destination, Oklahoma uniqueness - Diverse Cultures - Miles of shore line, Rodeo's & PowWows
Homer Nicholson
Diane Anderson
Jose T. Torres
Gary Martin
Craig Stephenson
Phil Johnston
Janice Cain
Pam Spinks
|
|
TOPIC: Realign and reform our school systems.
Realign and reform our school systems.
Homer Nicholson
Diane Anderson
Jose T. Torres
Gary Martin
Craig Stephenson
Phil Johnston
Janice Cain
Pam Spinks
|
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Transportation: Rural to Metro, Free/Accessible, Health Center travel for retirees
Homer Nicholson
Diane Anderson
Jose T. Torres
Gary Martin
Craig Stephenson
Phil Johnston
Janice Cain
Pam Spinks
|
|
TOPIC: Public Transportation
Public Transportation - Passenger rail service throughout the state, for tourism & transportation.
Geraldine W. Jay
Kathleen Pruett
Karla Gaskias
Emma Hill
Ann Ruthland
Junior Welch
Eric Johnson
|
|
TOPIC: West of I-44 Inclusion
West of I-44 is Oklahoma - please include us.
Gene Williams
Vicky Fantinel
Daniel Fantinel
Connie Uptergrove
Carolyn Brown
Wilt Brown
|
|
TOPIC: A Beautiful Oklahoma
Oklahoma is beautiful. To keep it that way teach children to start recycling, reusing, and energy/water conservation. Implement programs at the school level and at home.
Kim Jamison
Ronnie Lowe
Debby Keith
Danny Keith
Will Davis
Dianna Davis
Randy Sizemore
Mike Tubbs
Bob Park
|
|
TOPIC: Tribal, municipal, state partnerships
Further develop the mechanism for the creation of tribal, municipal, and state partnerships.
Jim Collard
Pam Stephens
Linda Peterson
Mary Rupp
Clara Welch
Neva Treiber
Toni Gray
Chuck Mills
Leroy Lage
Michelann Ooten
|
|
TOPIC: Consolidate OESC Regional Offices & Employees
Currently OK has 39 OESC office locations. Adopt language that would require either the elimination of multiple OESC office locations, or would merge a consolidated OESC into the Dept. of Commerce, and eliminate multiple OESC office locations. |
|
TOPIC: Elect a U.S. President from the state of Oklahoma!
Elect a U.S. President from the state of Oklahoma!
Lee Cannon
Adele Tongco
Carol Fincher
David Henneberry
Virgil Nichols
Ron Elliott
Gary Thompson
|
|
TOPIC: Pre-Clear Customs Station
Create a location near the intersection of I-35, I-40 and I-44 where an exporter could pre-clear Canadian or Mexican Customs, seal the load and proceed to their destinations knowing that no unanticipated border crossing problems will arise.
Lee Cannon
Adele Tongco
Carol Fincher
David Henneberry
Virgil Nichols
Ron Elliott
Gary Thompson
|
|
TOPIC: Educational Cooperation
Encourage cooperation between public school Administration Career Tech & OSSN to promote education in math, science, and engineering. In fact more cooperation across the entire educational landscape in the state.
Lee Cannon
Meeso Hornie
Adele Tongco
Carol Fincher
David Henneberry
Virgil Nichols
Ron Elliott
Gary Thompson
|
|
TOPIC: Transportation Hub in OKC
Create a transportation hub in Oklahoma using a "bullet train" from OKC to Tulsa (OKC to Dallas as well).
John Howell
Amy Polonchek
Glenn Freedman
Bob Whitson
Chris Wright
Gary Clark
Linda Smith
|
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Micro Financing
Oklahoma Micro Financing
John Howell
Amy Polonchek
Glenn Freedman
Bob Whitson
Chris Wright
Gary Clark
Linda Smith
|
|
TOPIC: Major Tourist Destination & Convention Center
Oklahoma Disney - Major tourist destination and convention center.
John Howell
Amy Polonchek
Glenn Freedman
Bob Whitson
Chris Wright
Gary Clark
Linda Smith
|
|
TOPIC: Research Capital of the American Plains
Oklahoma should be the research capital of the plains hands down.
John Howell
Amy Polonchek
Glenn Freedman
Bob Whitson
Chris Wright
Gary Clark
Linda Smith
|
|
TOPIC: Consolidate & coordinate higher ed curriculum
Higher Education: Consolidate and coordinate curriculum and efforts supporting the above selected focus. (i.e. "Centers of Excellence").
James Trapp
T.J. McClure
Russell Bass
Michael Cich
Jonathan Edelson
David Porter
David Yellin
Keegan Davis
|
|
TOPIC: Economic Development
Economic Development within the state: Creating areas that focus on a certain industry and technology to include universities, business, cities.
James Trapp
T.J. McClure
Russell Bass
Michael Cich
Jonathan Edelson
David Porter
David Yellin
Keegan Davis
|
|
TOPIC: Free college tuition
Free college tuition for students from families who did not attend college.
Jane Fuhlendorf
Roy Escoubas
Stephen McKeeves
Dale Maronek
Mike Woods
Garvin Quinn
Bob Westerman
|
|
TOPIC: Create OK Recruiting Center for Higher Ed
Create an Oklahoma recruiting center for Higher Education. Keep our human capital in Oklahoma.
Jane Fuhlendorf
Roy Escoubas
Stephen McKeeves
Dale Maronek
Mike Woods
Garvin Quinn
Bob Westerman
|
|
TOPIC: Centralized Innovation Center
Create centralized innovation center to facilitate launching new businesses - bring ideas and investors together.
Jane Fuhlendorf
Roy Escoubas
Stephen McKeeves
Dale Maronek
Mike Woods
Garvin Quinn
Bob Westerman
|
|
TOPIC: Science Education
1. Science Education Pipeline: From K-College - Special programs, classes & recourses
Financial support to students who come through the pipeline into college to study science
(STEM). Motivate via issues relevant to Oklahoma. Essential for economy, health, environment, energy, water, etc.
Jane Fuhlendorf
Roy Escoubas
Stephen McKeeves
Dale Maronek
Mike Woods
Garvin Quinn
Bob Westerman
|
|
TOPIC: Agriculture Extensions Model
Use Ag. Extensions model to transfer theory back into lives of people (business, culture, education, etc.).
Charles Cameron
Davette Cameron
Jason Ramsey
Lou Watkins
Gary Sherrer
Jason Caniglia
Gary Smutt
|
|
TOPIC: Phase-in approach to OHLAP
Higher Education and post Secondary Education is a night in Oklahoma. Phase in approach to OHLAP.
Charles Cameron
Davette Cameron
Jason Ramsey
Lou Watkins
Gary Sherrer
Jason Caniglia
Gary Smutt
|
|
TOPIC: Higher Ed Partnerships
Higher Ed partnerships with common education to increase graduation rates at both levels.
Charles Cameron
Davette Cameron
Jason Ramsey
Lou Watkins
Gary Sherrer
Jason Caniglia
Gary Smutt
|
|
TOPIC: Political Process Return
Political Process Return: Revise legislation session so that one session every other year is focused only on appropriations. The other year would be devoted to issues other than appropriations.
Calvin Anthony
John Fernandes
Linda Anthony
Justin Wilson
Joe Alexander
Kent Sampson
|
|
TOPIC: Market State Holidays
Economic Development: Sell state holidays (lodges, etc.) fully funded edge endowment $1 billion.
Calvin Anthony
John Fernandes
Linda Anthony
Justin Wilson
Joe Alexander
Kent Sampson
|
|
TOPIC: Obtaining a college education
Education: Increase numbers attaining college education.
Calvin Anthony
John Fernandes
Linda Anthony
Justin Wilson
Joe Alexander
Kent Sampson
|
|
TOPIC: Energy Rebates
Energy Rebates: For people who adopt energy efficient practices they get rebates.
William P. Barela, III
Sue H. Barela
Helen M. Barela
Jon Pollnow
|
|
TOPIC: Benefits for Gas
Resources: Residents of Oklahoma obtain benefits for gas through a discount program (tied to community service/veteran).
William P. Barela, III
Sue H. Barela
Helen M. Barela
Jon Pollnow
|
|
TOPIC: Pollution
Pollution: Usage of VAN (employer) car pools providing rebates to businesses.
William P. Barela, III
Sue H. Barela
Helen M. Barela
Jon Pollnow
|
|
TOPIC: Storm Shelters
Storm Shelters: The dirt banks people tend to think these are safe why not put storm shelters on the dirt banks.
William P. Barela, III
Sue H. Barela
Helen M. Barela
Jon Pollnow
|
|
TOPIC: 1/2 cent state sales tax for bridges/roads
State sales tax 1/2 cent back to cities for roads and bridges.
Michele Travis
Alexis Fussell
Chuck Chastain
Skip Mefford
Terri Cleveland
|
|
TOPIC: Keeping doctors in OK
Doctor incentive programs to keep doctors in Oklahoma. Write off a portion of Med School expenses for doctors graduating from Oklahoma schools who are willing to.
Michele Travis
Alexis Fussell
Chuck Chastain
Skip Mefford
Terri Cleveland
|
|
TOPIC: Review State & Fed Credit Union exemptions
Problem: Money! Solution: To review State and Federal Credit Union exemptions for additional revenue. Make F.I. on equal playing field.
Michele Travis
Alexis Fussell
Chuck Chastain
Skip Mefford
Terri Cleveland
|
|
TOPIC: Index gas tax
Index gas tax so taxes increase as ??? Increase.
Jim Cameron
Larry Mocha
Heather Griffin
Deb Marshall
Darold Davis
Tom Golden
|
|
TOPIC: State laws to control water pollution
Water - State laws to effectively control non-point source pollution of water bodies in Oklahoma.
Jim Cameron
Larry Mocha
Heather Griffin
Deb Marshall
Darold Davis
Tom Golden
|
|
TOPIC: Tobacco Tax
Tobacco Tax - Tax the producer > to healthcare constant tax regard less of where sold.
Jim Cameron
Larry Mocha
Heather Griffin
Deb Marshall
Darold Davis
Tom Golden
|
|
TOPIC: Opportunity Fund Bonds
Economic Development….Opportunity Fund Bonds: - Big opportunity paid from revenue growth.
Jack W. Ross
Jim Twombly
Richard Hedgecock
Joe Robson
Wes Smithwick
Mickey Thompson
|
|
TOPIC: Urban Growth Policy
Economic Development….An urban growth policy: - Build state through large urban areas; then let the Economic Development trickle to the rural areas.
Jack W. Ross
Jim Twombly
Richard Hedgecock
Joe Robson
Wes Smithwick
Mickey Thompson
|
|
TOPIC: Energy
Energy….National Energy Institute for research funded from all sources.
Jack W. Ross
Jim Twombly
Richard Hedgecock
Joe Robson
Wes Smithwick
Mickey Thompson
|
|
TOPIC: Setting up research department
Set up department to study #1 in various areas and find way to implement.
Amy Armstrong
Michael Skates
Liz Skates
Craig Thurmond
Paul Kane
Keth Sterling
|
|
TOPIC: OK #1 - Education & Roads
Make Oklahoma #1 in roads and education. Make these a two a priority.
Amy Armstrong
Michael Skates
Liz Skates
Craig Thurmond
Paul Kane
Keth Sterling
|
|
TOPIC: Shifting state sales tax
State should shift .05 of state sales tax back to communities for roads.
Amy Armstrong
Michael Skates
Liz Skates
Craig Thurmond
Paul Kane
Keth Sterling
|
|
TOPIC: Preserve OK workforce
Preserve workforce and foster future work forces.
Amy Armstrong
Michael Skates
Liz Skates
Craig Thurmond
Paul Kane
Keth Sterling
|
|
TOPIC: Nationwide image of OK
Make improving the nationwide image of Oklahoma a high priority.
Amy Armstrong
Michael Skates
Liz Skates
Craig Thurmond
Paul Kane
Keth Sterling
|
|
TOPIC: Building nuclear power plant
Building nuclear power plant
Tammy Fate
Gary King
Randy Swearengin
Tim Edwardson
Bland Pittman
Brooks Pittman
|
|
TOPIC: Lack of skilled workforce
Lack of skilled workforce
Tammy Fate
Gary King
Randy Swearengin
Tim Edwardson
Bland Pittman
Brooks Pittman
|
|
TOPIC: Quality of private education
Quality of private education
Tammy Fate
Gary King
Randy Swearengin
Tim Edwardson
Bland Pittman
Brooks Pittman
|
|
TOPIC: Poor roads/highways
Poor roads/highways
Tammy Fate
Gary King
Randy Swearengin
Tim Edwardson
Bland Pittman
Brooks Pittman
|
|
TOPIC: Leverage water resources
Major resource with lakes; better leverage water resource.
Tammy Fate
Gary King
Randy Swearengin
Tim Edwardson
Bland Pittman
Brooks Pittman
|
|
TOPIC: Higher Ed - Tax Deductions
Education: Higher Ed - Tax Deductions
Tammy Fate
Gary King
Randy Swearengin
Tim Edwardson
Bland Pittman
Brooks Pittman
|
|
TOPIC: Using old tires for new highway/road surfaces
Roads: Old tires grind, mix with asphalt and surface road/highways - Reduces cracks - (used in Arizona)
Tammy Fate
Gary King
Randy Swearengin
Tim Edwardson
Bland Pittman
Brooks Pittman
|
|
TOPIC: Natural water resources
Leverage of our Natural Water Resources.
Tammy Fate
Gary King
Randy Swearengin
Tim Edwardson
Bland Pittman
Brooks Pittman
|
|
TOPIC: Technical Education
Development of education for technical and high skilled work force through public and private means.
Tammy Fate
Gary King
Randy Swearengin
Tim Edwardson
Bland Pittman
Brooks Pittman
|
|
TOPIC: Streamlining state & county government
Streamline county and state government. (i.e. reduce from 77 counties to 25).
Alan Parnell
Julie Miner
Jeff Faust
Kelli Sowell
Nancy Robbins
Court Newkirk
|
|
TOPIC: Workforce/Development
Workforce/Development: Create incentives to attract and retain critical demand occupations and work towards a certified workforce (i.e. employment at will for government workers).
Alan Parnell
Julie Miner
Jeff Faust
Kelli Sowell
Nancy Robbins
Court Newkirk
|
|
TOPIC: Statewide WiFi
Statewide WiFi using current and future cell towers for distribution.
Stephanie Updike
Keven Rondot
JeEllen Clow
Kim Salgado
Ed Huckeby
|
|
TOPIC: Economic Development
Economic Development: - State rebate of sales taxes directly to city and county for Economic Development. - 5 cents to 1 cent
Stephanie Updike
Keven Rondot
JeEllen Clow
Kim Salgado
Ed Huckeby
|
|
TOPIC: Revamp state education
Revamp state education system Pre K - 20: - Restructure Governance - Allocate casino & lottery funds appropriately.
Stephanie Updike
Keven Rondot
JeEllen Clow
Kim Salgado
Ed Huckeby
|
|
TOPIC: Sentencing Reform
Sentencing Reform: - Adoption of Oklahoma sentencing commission - reduction of the # of incarcerated people - reducing cost.
Arthur Spomer
Marilyn Hurst
Clarence Oliver, Jr.
Kim Goddard
Max Smith
|
|
TOPIC: Changing Education in OK
Education: - Longer academic day - Longer academic year - More innovative study vs. seat.
Arthur Spomer
Marilyn Hurst
Clarence Oliver, Jr.
Kim Goddard
Max Smith
|
|
TOPIC: Marketing Oklahoma
21st Century Land Run! Market the state by telling the story of low cost of living in the state.
Peggy Cowing
Kyndel Waters
LaTaunya Williams
Bon Harmon
Mattheu E. Brasel
John Linhardt
|
|
TOPIC: No more tenure for teachers
Education - Take away tenure for teachers
Bonnie Lee
Cynthia Outlaw
Kathi McDaris
Phil Scott
Lou Reynolds
Steve Moeller
|
|
TOPIC: Get rid of federal funding for education
Education - Do away with federal funding for education.
Bonnie Lee
Cynthia Outlaw
Kathi McDaris
Phil Scott
Lou Reynolds
Steve Moeller
|
|
TOPIC: Rid Govt of Lobbyists
Government - Do away with lobbyists
Bonnie Lee
Cynthia Outlaw
Kathi McDaris
Phil Scott
Lou Reynolds
Steve Moeller
|
|
TOPIC: Mandatory Recycling
Mandatory Recycling - Deposits on all recyclable material.
Bonnie Lee
Cynthia Outlaw
Kathi McDaris
Phil Scott
Lou Reynolds
Steve Moeller
|
|
TOPIC: Consolidation of school districts
Consolidate school districts administrations.
Jim Beavers
Charles Buxton
Bruce Schutte
Todd Rolland
Terry Cupp
|
|
TOPIC: Sales Tax for Incentives
State sales tax for incentives attracting Hi-Tech industries *Get A Bucket!
Jim Beavers
Charles Buxton
Bruce Schutte
Todd Rolland
Terry Cupp
|
|
TOPIC: Learn To Persevere
To create real change and make significant progress we must persevere despite obstacles and setbacks. Generations past were well aware of this fact. Yet, today we teach our children various forms of "instant gratification." As a result, our ability to persevere is being lost and significant progess may soon be a thing of the past. The solution is to teach children to long persevere. |
|
TOPIC: "Selling" Oklahoma
Sell Oklahoma as a cool place to live - another Land Run!! Recreational activities & locations improved.
Robert Solloway
Jerry Frech
Monty Goodman
Who Flung-Doo
Frankie Tuck
Paul McCord
Jennifer Miller
|
|
TOPIC: Research Opportunities
Increase research opportunities: Environment; Improve existing industries. Efficiencies!! Broaden the spectrum of opportunities thru Ocast.
Robert Solloway
Jerry Frech
Monty Goodman
Frankie Tuck
Paul McCord
Jennifer Miller
|
|
TOPIC: Job Exposure at Elementary School Level
More career/job exposure at elementary school level ages (continue with middle schools & high school levels).
Robert Solloway
Jerry Frech
Monty Goodman
Frankie Tuck
Paul McCord
Jennifer Miller
|
|
TOPIC: Encouraging The Arts
Encourage the Arts:
a) Start in elementary schools.
b) Financial incentives for participation from high school though Higher Ed.
Mitch Hale
A. J. Laubhan
Tammy Nebhut
Roz & Alan Wagner
Ray Don Jackson
Hollis Thorp
Doug Gagon
|
|
TOPIC: Making Education A Priority
Make education a priority:
a) With tuition incentives.
b) Oklahoma industries to sponsor scholarship for students continuing employment in Oklahoma.
Mitch Hale
A. J. Laubhan
Tammy Nebhut
Roz & Alan Wagner
Ray Don Jackson
Hollis Thorp
Doug Gagon
|
|
TOPIC: Health Insurance
Health Insurance: Oklahoma increase number of insured - state incentives for people to obtain health insurance at a young age, i.e. 21 to 25 years. People with continuing health coverage be given rate breaks for coverage.
Mitch Hale
A. J. Laubhan
Tammy Nebhut
Roz & Alan Wagner
Ray Don Jackson
Hollis Thorp
Doug Gagon
|
|
TOPIC: Crime - Treatment Centers
Crime: Treatment centers that are geared toward the "Meth" & "Crack" epidemic. Prison time without treatment and after care is not an answer. Programs are already normed for Oklahoma citizens, funds are needed to implement.
Lacey Garrett
Jennifer Carlisle
Mikeena Thompson
William Monday
Donna Laymon
|
|
TOPIC: National Weather Center in NW Oklahoma
Weather center in NW Oklahoma. Maybe expanding the National Weather Center out to stations in weather prone areas.
Lacey Garrett
Jennifer Carlisle
Mikeena Thompson
William Monday
Donna Laymon
|
|
TOPIC: Mentally Challenged
Mentally Challenged:
a) Treatment alternatives available in all counties, not just in large metro areas.
b) Everyone is enriched with work, try allowing city government or county government tax breaks for training & employing them.
Lacey Garrett
Jennifer Carlisle
Mikeena Thompson
William Monday
Donna Laymon
|
|
TOPIC: Senior Citizens & Taxes
Senior Citizens: Consider discounting taxes upon SS age. Should remember they are generally on fixed incomes.
Lacey Garrett
Jennifer Carlisle
Mikeena Thompson
William Monday
Donna Laymon
|
|
TOPIC: School Building Renovations
School building renovations with matching funds.
Loren Morgan
Ann Hohweiler
E. J. Phillips
Barbara Hoskins
Carolyn McLarty, DVM
Cindy Miller
Greg Huengergardt
|
|
TOPIC: Wellness Centers - more available.
Wellness Centers - more available.
Loren Morgan
Ann Hohweiler
E. J. Phillips
Barbara Hoskins
Carolyn McLarty, DVM
Cindy Miller
Greg Huengergardt
|
|
TOPIC: Increased funding for parks, recreation, arts.
Increased funding for parks, recreation, arts.
Loren Morgan
Ann Hohweiler
E. J. Phillips
Barbara Hoskins
Carolyn McLarty, DVM
Cindy Miller
Greg Huengergardt
|
|
TOPIC: Vouchers for private education.
Vouchers for private education.
Loren Morgan
Ann Hohweiler
E. J. Phillips
Barbara Hoskins
Carolyn McLarty, DVM
Cindy Miller
Greg Huengergardt
|
|
TOPIC: Lower Cost for Healthcare
Healthcare: Lower costs; Premiums based on longevity of coverage (i.e. those starting young buying insurance keep the low premiums as an incentive to stay in).
Loren Morgan
Ann Hohweiler
E. J. Phillips
Barbara Hoskins
Carolyn McLarty, DVM
Cindy Miller
Greg Huengergardt
|
|
TOPIC: Tobacco Tax Fund Usage
To figure out a way to be able to use the millions of dollars that sits idle in the tobacco tax fund. Money could be used for Roads/Bridges, Healthcare, Prisons.
Loren Morgan
Ann Hohweiler
E. J. Phillips
Barbara Hoskins
Carolyn McLarty, DVM
Cindy Miller
Greg Huengergardt
|
|
TOPIC: Arts, Phys Ed, & Recess
Don't forget the Arts, Physical Education, and Recess as important to the education of our children.
Brian Cook
Johnny Busellato
Gary Goetzinger
Jenny Hopkins
Debbie Gentry
Wilma Blarpacks
|
|
TOPIC: Post Secondary Education Access - Priority Determination
Access to post secondary education for academic achieving students should be a priority & funded.
Brian Cook
Johnny Busellato
Gary Goetzinger
Jenny Hopkins
Debbie Gentry
Wilma Blarpacks
|
|
TOPIC: Early Childhood - Foreign Language
Foreign language should be mandatory in the early childhood school years.
Brian Cook
Johnny Busellato
Gary Goetzinger
Jenny Hopkins
Debbie Gentry
Wilma Blarpacks
|
|
TOPIC: Special Interests
Special interest should not be emphasized in importance over other constituents in the state of Oklahoma.
Brian Cook
Johnny Busellato
Gary Goetzinger
Jenny Hopkins
Debbie Gentry
Wilma Blarpacks
|
|
TOPIC: Business Tax Breaks
Small business tax breaks to create more jobs.
Brian Cook
Johnny Busellato
Gary Goetzinger
Jenny Hopkins
Debbie Gentry
Wilma Blarpacks
|
|
TOPIC: State Pension Fund
Insure "with sound money management" that the pension fund for the state of Oklahoma is secure with a dedicated task force & ombudsman to oversee the process.
Brian Cook
Johnny Busellato
Gary Goetzinger
Jenny Hopkins
Debbie Gentry
Wilma Blarpacks
|
|
TOPIC: Eliminating State Income Tax
Eliminate state income tax.
Danny Ridenour
Brian George
Tim Boulware
Greg Livingston
Jamie Shirkey
|
|
TOPIC: Tuition Lock Upon Collegiate Enrollment
Upon enrollment in a college or university lock in fees - tuition, etc. or tie to rate of inflation for term of enrollment.
Danny Ridenour
Brian George
Tim Boulware
Greg Livingston
Jamie Shirkey
|
|
TOPIC: Removing sales tax from essential items
Remove sales tax from essential item (i.e. - groceries).
Danny Ridenour
Brian George
Tim Boulware
Greg Livingston
Jamie Shirkey
|
|
TOPIC: School Vouchers System
School voucher system
Danny Ridenour
Brian George
Tim Boulware
Greg Livingston
Jamie Shirkey
|
|
TOPIC: Incentives for Skilled Craftsmen
Skilled craftsmen - Incentives dollars to bring to rural areas, similar to OK Physician manpower.
Don Bird
Sue Mitchell
Dr. Don Dale
Dr. Bill Jackson
Pat Grunewald
C J Montgomery
|
|
TOPIC: Tax Incentives - NW Oklahoma & Panhandle relocation
Tax incentives to promote people to move to rural Oklahoma especially to NW Oklahoma & Panhandle.
Don Bird
Sue Mitchell
Dr. Don Dale
Dr. Bill Jackson
Pat Grunewald
C J Montgomery
|
|
TOPIC: Rural Emergency Medical Care
State support dollar for rural emergency medical care.
Don Bird
Sue Mitchell
Dr. Don Dale
Dr. Bill Jackson
Pat Grunewald
C J Montgomery
|
|
TOPIC: Electrical Lines & Wind Farms
Improvement of electrical transmission lines to enhance additional wind farms.
John Grunewald
Jeff Mills
Debbie Harrington
Tom Fisher
Bill Fanning
Terry Nelson
Lavern Phillips
|
|
TOPIC: Teacher Retirement
Enhance funding sources for teachers retirement system.
John Grunewald
Jeff Mills
Debbie Harrington
Tom Fisher
Bill Fanning
Terry Nelson
Lavern Phillips
|
|
TOPIC: Capitol Improvement Fund for Education
Fund the already existing capitol improvement fund for education.
John Grunewald
Jeff Mills
Debbie Harrington
Tom Fisher
Bill Fanning
Terry Nelson
Lavern Phillips
|
|
TOPIC: Truck Weight Permit Process
Streamline the truck weight permit process.
John Grunewald
Jeff Mills
Debbie Harrington
Tom Fisher
Bill Fanning
Terry Nelson
Lavern Phillips
|
|
TOPIC: Sales Tax to Local Govt.
Ready distribution of state sales tax to cities and towns.
Alan Riffel
Doug Haines
Cathy Coleman
Mona Foster
Mickie Parks
Nancy Todd
|
|
TOPIC: Technology & Infrastructure
Expand technology infrastructure statewide (both wireless & fiber back bone).
Alan Riffel
Doug Haines
Cathy Coleman
Mona Foster
Mickie Parks
Nancy Todd
|
|
TOPIC: Military and Veteran's Affairs
Provide more opportunities for retired/disabled veteran's to have affordable housing. Apartment complexes should be built that meet all the needs of a handicapped person. There should be opportunities for socializing, exercising, and access to medical and mental health care. We should never have a veteran that is homeless or living in a shelter, but I'm sure we probably do. My grandfather lived his last years in the veteran's nursing home in Norman. They were absolutely wonderful to him and he called it home. He was a cook in WWI and never experienced anything that caused him to be disabled. He entered the nursing home in his 80's due to illnes. The VA could possibly provide input as to what groups are most vulnerable....whether disabled, aged, or possibly transitioning from active duty back to civilian life, regardless of age or disability. Many of our veteran's are suffering when they return home. If the basic need of shelter was available, they might have a greater chance of getting their physical/mental health needs met early on.
|
|
TOPIC: quality and affordable college education
Years ago, students from all over the country would come to Oklahoma to attend college because the out-of-state tuition was actually lower than their in-state tuition. Certainly, some would attend school and then go back to their home state, but many stayed and became positive additions to the workforce here.
Also, the specific schools within the universities that have built strong reputations across the country should be bolstered to be even better which will draw more students to the state. Schools such as the meteorology school at OU, the accounting school at OSU, the pharmacy school at Tumbleweed Tech (Southwestern), and a host of others.
I understand that the infrastructure to accommodate an influx of additional students would need to take place first, but the draw of a more affordable college education could encourage nonresidents to try Oklahoma and residents to stay put.
How to pay for it? Wait. I thought revenues from the lottery were going to allow the state to do a lot more for students in Oklahoma. Maybe that will happen sometime...
Oil revenues have increased the states revenues to be sure. That should be a viable source.
Also, is the state getting an appropriate amount of taxes from the casino industry? That is an awfully large amount of revenue leaving the state untaxed (allegedly). |
|
TOPIC: make the state more appealing to nonresidents
When people from other states or regions of our country come to our state, do we treat them like favored guests? Not really. In many entrances to our state, we say "Welcome to Oklahoma" - "that will be five dollars".
If I were entering our state for the first time, I would tend to change course and go around the state due to the toll roads. I have traveled all over the United States by car and Oklahoma is one of the very few places I have been required to empty my pockets every 30 miles.
As a citizen, I am willing to pay higher taxes to do away with most toll roads so that travelers either passing through or planning to stay a while will know that we truly do welcome them to our state and hope they like what they see.
Another option which has a host of logistical problems is to charge only residents of Oklahoma tolls on the highways across our state.
I don't charge guests in my home a fee for the dinner I serve them, why should this be any different? |
|
TOPIC: Combining ODOT with the Turnpike Authority
For many years, I have heard people make excuses for retaining both ODOT and the Turnpike Authority. TEXDOT in the State of Texas manages a budget which rivals the Oklahoma state budget with 3 commissioners who in a separate meeting also manage the Texas Turnpike Authority. |
|
TOPIC: Illegal Aliens - Federal & State
If an illegal alien is employed, and his boss is willing to sponsor him/her, then they would be finger-printed, and I.D. pictures taken. He would then be issued a temporary work permit and must immediately begin taking English courses until he can pass the Tofel test. After he can speak, read, and write English, then the sponsor must begin the process for him to become a citizen. If he quits his job, fails the English or Immigration test, or commits a crime, he will be returned to his home country. |
|
TOPIC: Final Exam - Grades 1 to 12
I have seen many reports of the large number of graduating high school seniors who must take remedial education classes before starting college. My solution would be to have each student take a final exam for each course in grades 1-12. The purpose of this test would be to see if the student is ready to advance to the next grade. |
|
TOPIC: Controlling Illegal Immigration in Oklahoma
Since the Federal Government refuses to close our southern border to illegal aliens and terrorists, I believe it is in Oklahoma's best interest to control our borders. Oklahoma could institute a program by which vehicles entering the state are subject to inspection, and driver's licenses/proper insurance/I.D. could be validated. |
|
TOPIC: Planned Parenthood
Many conservative states have passed laws which say that no state funds, either directly or indirectly, would go to Planned Parenthood. Apparently, by certain devious routes, Planned Parenthood receives funding in some states (perhaps Oklahoma). Most legislators are unaware of this development. Oklahoma needs a law which addresses this problem. |
|
TOPIC: Information Exchange
If a company employee is contacted, they would know just how much information may be given out without giving away company secrets that have cost the company much time to discover. Companies receiving the information usually have done some investigation in the subject and it might help the company by giving them a different look at the subject. |
|
TOPIC: Inequity in Funding Oklahoma Public School Capital Improvement
The State of Oklahoma provides for equity in funding for public school operational expenses through the state aid formula, but not for adequacy or equity in capital improvement. School operating expenses are funded through a combination of state aid and local ad valorem revenue. Capital improvement including repairs and new construction is funded through district building fund revenues and local approved bond revenue. The State of Oklahoma doesn't provide for any funding for capital improvement needs for school districts. That revenue is generated in each individual school district based on the assessed valuation of the district. Oklahoma has rich schools and poor schools, and everything in between. This problem is created by the wide difference in valuation of property within local school districts. State legislatures in states bordering Oklahoma (Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, & New Mexico) have designed mechanisms to equalize funding for capital improvement for school districts in their states. Oklahoma is one of only 11 states in the nation which has not equalized funding for capital improvement for public education. Oklahoma school districts have a per capita valuation that ranges from $2,409 per student to $640,029 per student. 360 Oklahoma school districts are below the state average of $31,471 per capita valuation and 180 districts are above the average. Every state surrounding Oklahoma has been sued and the legislature was forced to provide a system for equitable funding for Public School Capital Improvement. Legislation must be passed which will allow identified needy schools to draw state money to assist with their capital improvement and repair needs. |
|
TOPIC: Create the "Oklahoma International Airport"
Oklahoma City and Tulsa are vying to match each other when it comes to economic progress and population. Among the many transportation needs in Oklahoma (i.e. roads, bridges, safety designations), one overlooked idea is the airport authority. Why is it necessary that Tulsa have an "International Airport" and Oklahoma only has a "World Airport?"
I think one of the best investments that Oklahoma can consider is to create the "Oklahoma International Airport," and essentially decommission the OKC Will Rogers World Airport & the Tulsa International Airport. Given the corridor between OKC & Tulsa is a hub for business, I think construction on the state's largest and most comprehensive airport could take place. Between Bartlesville & Norman (Tulsa's northern neighbor & OKC's southern neighbor respectively), the state should establish some mass transportation option that will alleviate automobile congestion and pollution. In between OKC & Tulsa, the airport could serve more than a million Oklahomans with air travel.
The goal of this new airport is compete with Kansas City and Dallas-Fort Worth. Why is it that many in northern Oklahoma will fly out of K.C., and many in southern Oklahoma will fly out of DFW? LOWER PRICES. By establishing the OIA (the airport's abbreviation), the airport authority could allow low price carriers like Jet Blue, Ted (United), and Southwest to occupy many gates. Lower prices for Oklahomans means more investment into traveling from Oklahoma using Oklahoma services!
The key in all of this is to make it a levelling field of play for both areas of Oklahoma. It is generally cheaper to fly out of Tulsa when flying to the north or east. It is generally cheaper to fly out of OKC when flying to the south or west. Let's make it fair for all Oklahomans and let's make it "air" travel for all Oklahomans! Let's create the "Oklahoma International Airport!" (FFA airport designation - OIA). |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Fair Play
Part of the price of the ticket to the OU-Texas "Red River Rivalry" game in Dallas goes towards the admission to the State Fair of Texas. Taxes are paid on hotel rooms, food, gasoline, and toll roads inside of Texas. Oklahoma should seek to be compensated for the admission price to the State Fair of Texas. Texas should have to make annual payments to Oklahoma for 35,000 admissions to the State Fair of Oklahoma. Fair play at the fair should be an issue that is addressed. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Spirit in the Skies - Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines has served both Oklahoma City and Tulsa for many years. Southwest jets fly all over the U.S., and for years Southwest Airlines has honored Texas, Arizona, and Maryland with jet liners painted with their distinctive state flag. State officials and citizens should join forces to seek having our state honored by Southwest Airlines. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Identity
Oklahoma needs to sell itself and place the unique identity of Oklahoma front-and-center with an "in your face approach." Repetition is contagious and in itself creates a learning experience. Every new road that is built should be marked with something that identifies Oklahoma. Just as Texas has mastered the use of its flag (The Texas Lone Star), Oklahoma should use and reuse its flag to the advantage of state marketing and tourism. National advertising of Oklahoma should be made more aggressive. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Welcome Centers
Spread out across Oklahoma at 8 entry locations and in 3 urban areas are buildings owned and operated by Oklahoma. In these buildings are the sentinels of the State manning their posts everyday of the week through the month and year. These 11 buildings or sites are the State Tourist Welcome Centers. The sentinels are the employees of the State Tourism Department. These welcome centers are the hostels and rest facilities for travelers from all walks of life and from all over the nation. There needs to be a concentrated effort by all parties to improve the Tourist Information Centers, making them more than simply buildings where tourists stop to ask a few questions, grab a map, use the bathroom, and then leave. Each center should start working with museums, colleges, and local communities to provide interesting and informative items in display cases inside of the centers. The goal of these centers should be to represent the people of Oklahoma and to compete with high energy to sell and promote the State of Oklahoma. Every creative effort will be made to make visiting the Centers as educational as well as interesting. |
|
TOPIC: NFL Team
An NFL team in Oklahoma, why loose money to Texas and the Cowboys? As you know in the DFW area specifically Arlington, the Cowboys are building a new stadium, which will generate billions for Texas. Oklahoma, can not afford to have its citizens spending Oklahoma dollars in Texas. Can we not give Oklahoman’s an Oklahoma NFL team to be proud of? Oklahoma City is a centralized location and already posses the infrastructure to support such a venue, including space available. A venue such as this would directly impact the surrounding area and the state as a whole, with improvements and growth to the hospitality industry, city/state highways and Will Rogers World Airport.
The area, near Yukon, north of Lake Overholser seams an obvious choice, considering the areas vicinity to Oklahoma City, Will Rogers and Wiley Post Airports as well as routes of travel. This type of improvement would do wonders for the economy of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City and the City of Yukon leading to further development of our state and making Oklahoma City, truly a world class city.
i didnt Realize the contest was over….
|
|
TOPIC: Transportation
I believe that it would be very beneficial for Oklahoma to install traffic light changers for our Emergency vehicles in our larger cities such as Tulsa, OKC, etc... I have seen too many times when an emergency vehicle tries to get around traffic but just can't because people are stuck at traffic lights. I have seen this sort of system work in Minneapolis and it helps the emergency vehicles tremendously. |
|
TOPIC: Voting
A law that makes it mandatory to vote. Impose a fine ( that increases each year they don't vote) After three years of no voting, that person loses their citizenship. They don't have to leave the country but, must apply for a green card each year. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Teachers are working hard to meet initiatives passed every year through "No Child Left Behind" and Oklahoma's API and AYI requirements. They are all worthy goals that need the attention of teachers at every level. On the same note, students in Oklahoma, according to the recent report card from the National Chamber of Commerce continue to fall short.
My idea is to use Dr. Joseph Renzulli's Schoolwide enrichment model to enrich education for all students, increase student interest and motivation, and decrease dropout rates. This consists of three levels of enrichment, starting with level one in which guests or teachers offer special-interest or career-based presentation in an assembly setting. Level two involves allowing smaller groups of interested students to futher pursue the subject as they become involved in projects or mini-courses based on the level one subjects they find interesting. Level three of the model takes truely committed students a step further by matching them with mentors in the field of study or real world work environment.
The innovative angle I would like to see taken here is to give this project to the community. Allow business leaders, college professors, retired educators, family volunteers, legislators, and other concerned citizens to come into the school and help to train the students they hope to hire someday. Allow the teachers to concentrate on core subjects and merely assist in this model, having only one school employee as a coordinator of the program. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Iconic Landmark
Oklahoma needs an iconic landmark. The landmark or monument could recognize any numbr of things - for example it could celebrate the history of oil and gas that fueled the success of our state. Oklahoma is a mosaic of Cowboys Indians and Oil. We commemorate our western heritage with our world-class National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. We celebrate our Native American cultures and history among our 39 tribal complexes and are constructing a national Native American Cultural Center and Museum. With regard to Oklahoma's rich petroleum history, we have a few scattered museums (a nice one in Seminole) but nothing on the scale and scope that our history warrants! The indomitable, innovative, adventurous, pioneering spirit of Oklahoma has given us business successes like Sinclair, Phillips, Conoco, Kerr-McGee, Chesapeake and Devon. Oklahoma and Oklahomans have made their indelible mark on the pages of world petroleum history. These innovators and innovations should never be forgotten. History of oil is anchored in pre-Statehood and Indian lore: Stories of hoof prints from cattle drives pooling up with oil after the cowboys rode past, those of pioneering farmers scrapping worthless crude oil from the tops of ponds and watering holes so livestock could drink, and of Native American tribes using "rock oil' for medicinal purposes as well as using it for heating and light long before it's commercial value was realized by modern industries. These and other vivid stories chronicle Oklahoma's rich petroleum history. It was not until the birth of the modern petroleum industry did we realize what a blessing all that black oozing sludge had foreshadowed for Oklahoma's future. THE MONUMENT The Monument should be a 1,100 foot proportionally correct Oil Derrick, sheathed in stainless steel, set with electric lights to replicate an oil derrick effect with two observation decks, complete with gifts shops and restaurant. The monument could be equipped with water cannons and have regularly scheduled explosive geyser to recreate the feeling of a "thar she blows!" gusher experience. It could straddle the Oklahoma River which would act as a natural catch basin for the water from the cannons. On the observation deck overlooking the Native American Heritage Museum could be a commemorative plaque that links the monument to the Native American usage of oil and gas in Oklahoma. The Monument could generate revenue: * Elevator rides to the observation decks * Sky Cam rentals for TV, weather and internet sights * Gift shops, books stores and restaurants * TV antennas * Cellular phone arrays * Radio antennas Funds could be generated by: * Donations from the petroleum industry and the public * Selling granite slabs petroleum companies to decorate or pave around the base of the monument as they commemorate their companies unique contribution to the industry. * Selling stock to the people of Oklahoma * Selling granite tiles or bricks to pave pathways to the monument * Bond issue To maximize positive attention to Oklahoma and to ensure the best design we could solicit proposals world wide for submission for designs. This would guarantee that every caricature map of the USA will always have an oil derrick in the center along with the Statue of Liberty, Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Rushmore, the Space Needle and the Gateway Arch. With a monument like this, the birthplace of the petroleum industry and Oklahoma's role in its establishment will never risk being "nearly forgotten". |
|
TOPIC: Provide a Refundable Tax Credit for Parents Who Care for Their Preschoolers at Home
When it comes to early childhood education, Oklahoma is a national leader.
No, I’m not talking about our state’s well-known efforts to put four-year-olds (and now three-year-olds) in preschool daycare. I’m talking about our efforts to empower the most important early childhood educator—mom.
On March 24 the Associated Press reported on “what could be a trendsetting state tax break for families”—giving Oklahoma’s stay-at-home moms a credit on the family income-tax bill. “At this point, we’re not aware of other states with laws like this one,” said a spokesman for the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Though the $50 tax credit is tiny, at least it’s a start. Bryce Christensen, author of Divided We Fall: Family Discord and the Fracturing of America, said Oklahoma policymakers “deserve high praise” for this trailblazing tax break, which Speaker Lance Cargill pushed through and Gov. Brad Henry signed into law this year.
“Researchers have now amassed a mountain of evidence showing that young children are far better off if cared for by an at-home parent rather than the employees of a day-care center,” Christensen said. “So wise policymakers will help—not penalize—families who make sacrifices to keep one parent at home.”
In 2008, policymakers should help these families even more.
There couldn’t be a better time for such a policy, given our state’s well-publicized daycare woes. Many Oklahomans, no longer limited to worrying about the run-of-the-mill problems of daycare kids (Logan has another ear infection, Kaitlyn is downcast and distressed, Dylan has new bite marks, Hailey’s teacher is a felon), are now having to worry about simply keeping the little buggers alive.
A large, refundable tax credit would solve a lot of these problems. And it would be popular: Cole Hardgrave Snodgrass & Associates found in 2004 that when Oklahoma mothers were asked which they thought was more important for public policy to encourage, only 26 percent chose “making quality childcare more affordable for working families,” while 70 percent chose “making it easier for one parent to stay at home.”
So let’s help our most important early childhood educators, and further solidify our status as a national leader.
|
|
TOPIC: Health Insurance
There is constant news regarding the number of Oklahomans who do not carry health insurance. While I believe many of the uninsured are that way due to their own spending priorities, I do have a suggestion to make heath costs lower for the uninsured. Hospitals and Doctors routinely charge discounted "negotiated" rates to patients with health insurance. Perhaps there should be a law that says they have to offer the same rates to patients without health insurance. |
|
TOPIC: turnpike surcharge
Legislation to add 10% access fee for turnpike tolls. This money to be earmarked for all road and bridge repair for any road that has direct access to the OTA.
We cannot place an access fee on the current OTA trust due to indebetness. It is legal to charge an access fee. I have Legislative support to carry the bill if you feel is worthwihile.
Jimmy Tramel
Mayor
918 825 4077 |
|
TOPIC: Economic Stability - Alternative Fuels
Economic stability is vital to Oklahoma's future. Surpluses don't last forever, thus Oklahoma would immensely benefit from a contigency development of alternative fuels. Dependent on the alternative fuel, Oklahoma farmers will profit from its raw production. Workers & the economy will profit from its processing. Businesses & salesmen will profit from its refined sale. Top to bottom, this economic effect strengthens Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Immigration & Taxes
Some of the issues with the illegal immigrant population stem from the fact that they are in our country illegally, and they receive full benefits of a citizen. Thus, a proposal should be considered to where every person who makes a purchase in the U.S. would pay federal tax. This would guarantee that everyone was on the same playing field and that no illegal immigrants could slide away from the tax man. |
|
TOPIC: "Teen-Focus" Tax Breaks
Oklahoma's state government should encourage local businesses to better accommodate teens' needs by extending their hours of operation. Most teens enjoy socializing with one another outside of school, and late-night coffee shops and arcades could provide teens with this much-needed environment. |
|
TOPIC: Income Tax Cut
An income tax cut by increasing the standard deduction should be considered by the State of Oklahoma. Through this reform, the government of Oklahoma will be able to stimulate the economy by assisting those less fortunate, and it will for officials to limit government spending, both of which will only enhance and improve life in the State of Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Alternative energy synthetic oil production
Synthetic oil production has always been more expensive than fossil fuel extraction, because the energy used to drive the synthesis has come from burning the fossil fuel that is also the carbon source for the synthetic fuel.
However, if you have a cheap source of energy that can be used to synthesize the fuel, you could create synthetic fuel that costs the sam as, or even less than, traditional fossil fuels.
For example, in Oklahoma both windmills and hyrdopower have the problem that they generate large amounts of energy at times when energy demand is low.
We also have large amounts of low grade coal and agricultural waste, which are cheap sources of carbon.
We could build synthetic oil points that use the electricity from either wind or hydropower off-peak generation, to create oil from carbon and steam.
-Brad Jensen, Tulsa |
|
TOPIC: Testing abiotic oil theory
The traditional idea of oil bieng a fossil fuel that devloped over millions of years in place int he sedimntary rock we find it in, has been shown to violate the second law of thermodynamics.
Russian scientists developed an abiotic theory of oil production over 50 years ago, and have used it to find vast resources.
Wouldn't it make sense for the State of Oklahoma to fund some deep drilling projects in areas of historical oil production, such as the Glenpool and Cushing areas? It may be that there are vast quanities of oil beneath the near-surface deposits that once made Oklahoma extremely wealthy.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
Tinker is the largest repair facility for aircraft in the Department of Defense and is the largest logistics center. Aircraft maintenance accounts for roughly 5 percent or $52.7 billion of total defense spending. Oklahoma is poised to be the leading edge on this technology. Currently there are many training and education efforts in Oklahoma but there is not a strategy to integrate these efforts to meet the demands of our growing state, national and international aerospace industry. The development of a “center of excellence” in Oklahoma for workforce and leadership training, education and research and development could meet the demands of the growing industry. Steve Manks, Mary Kutz.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
R & D Center AC eng alternative fuel (focus on fuels for aircraft engines). Jeff Morton, Dennis Altendorf, Jim Rice, Marty Engell, Dave Amis, Dennis Rose.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
Nations best Scholar program: fee and tuition school program reimbursement. (scholar program). Jeff Morton, Dennis Altendorf, Jim Rice, Marty Engell, Dave Amis, Dennis Rose.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
Opp. Fund Solution. Jeff Morton, Dennis Altendorf, Jim Rice, Marty Engell, Dave Amis, Dennis Rose.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
Eliminate Income Tax. Jeff Morton, Dennis Altendorf, Jim Rice, Marty Engell, Dave Amis, Dennis Rose.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
Help facilitate additional MRO work at the federal level to Oklahoma, in particular Tinker (land, facilities, workforce, etc.). Jerry Dunmire, Susan Zubik, Cynthia McLain, Dave Hofstadter, Lesley Knowles, Kandi Nagel, Rick Nagel.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
Increase state resources to help Tinker make the leap from military MRO to FAA repair station, so it can work on commercial derivative aircraft. Jerry Dunmire, Susan Zubik. Cynthia McLain, Dave Hofstadter, Lesley Knowles, Kandi Nagel, Rick Nagel.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
Establish Oklahoma as the primary source of aerospace and logistics secondary and post graduate education in the US and the world - Center of Excellence - Air, Space, Design, Support, Repair - Commit to facility, funding research, facilities, recruit opportunities with industry, etc. Jerry Dunmire, Susan Zubik, Cynthia McLain, Dave Hofstadter, Lesley Knowles, Kandi Nagel, Rick Nagel.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
Tuition reimbursement for technical degrees: For those who commit to stay here/Include reduction of student loans. Jerry Dunmire, Susan Zubik, Cynthia McLain, Dave Hofstadter, Lesley Knowles, Kandi Nagel, Rick Nagel.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
Education: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math/College, Center of Exc. Workforce, Engineering, Business, IT/Public/Private Partnership. Pete Lee, Todd Barnett, Michael Carolina, Steve Hendrickson, Ed Laverdure, Ben Robinson.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
Net-Centric MRO. Pete Lee, Todd Barnett, Michael Carolina, Steve Hendrickson, Ed Laverdure, Ben Robinson.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
Workforce development to replace graying workforce. James Wilson, James Smith, Paulette Shafer, Mary Kutz, Larry Kennedy.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
State funding to facilitate mentoring aerospace industries/workforce. James Wilson, James Smith, Paulette Shafer, Mary Kutz, Larry Kennedy.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
Advertise Benefits of Oklahoma. Joe Jarrett, H. L. Baird, Bob Bondaruk, Joe Gorman, Russ Howard, Steve Manks, Victor Bird.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
Aviation High School Technology Focus (inc. K-6). Joe Jarrett, H. L. Baird, Bob Bondaruk,
Joe Gorman, Russ Howard, Steve Manks, Victor Bird.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
A.C.E. revision. Joe Jarrett, H. L. Baird, Bob Bondaruk, Joe Gorman, Russ Howard, Steve Manks, Victor Bird.
|
|
TOPIC: Aerospace
Fix opportunity fund. Joe Jarrett, H. L. Baird, Bob Bondaruk, Joe Gorman, Russ Howard, Steve Manks, Victor Bird.
|
|
TOPIC: Health Care and Research
MAPS FOR HEALTHY OKLAHOMA
Make Oklahoma into a population-based resource for understanding the origins of disease and best routes to preventing or delaying disease and maintaining health. Following the strategy of Iceland and, much early, the Farmingham (Massachusetts) Heart Study begun in 1948, all Oklahomans would be offered the opportunity to join what would be a 30-year study. Medical, environmental, and family health histories would be taken, blood or mouth rinse DNA would be collected, medical records would be linked within families and with environmental information. Update would occur every other year, when enrollees would be given health education and guidance and some preventive screening, like cholesterol levels, BMI measurements, etc.
Many stakeholders would have to buy in; it would be a state/academic/private consortium, including the University health centers, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Tribal Nations, Turning Point, the State Health Department, genealogy societies, informatics experts, professional associations, and ethicists. After startup, significant Federal research funding could expected, because the Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute at NIH has called for just such a study (Nature 2004;429:475).
The "Maps" moniker has gained public trust for the notion that, by pulling together for a lofty goal, Oklahomans can achieve high marks. Our sorry state of health can be reversed and the effort will contribute to the health of America, while bringing high professional and research jobs to the state. |
|
TOPIC: Transportation
THE OKLAHOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Build a truly international airport for all of Oklahoma, about halfway between OKC and Tulsa, close to Turner Turnpike, perhaps at Stroud. Downgrade Will Rogers and Tulsa Airports. This facility would be a construction boom, would give Oklahomans many more coastal flights, as well as nonstop international destinations. An international cargo hub would emerge, with emphasis on South America, but also China and India.
To make it a success, easy ground access is necessary. Therefore a Maglev electric bullet train must simultaneously be built to connect Norman, Downtown OKC/Health Center, Cowboy Hall / Western Heritage Museum, AIRPORT, Salpulpa, and Downtown Tulsa. At 240 mile per hour, Cowboy to Airport would be 11 minutes.
Eventually, commercial centers would develop along Turner Turnpike, that then might justify a local train with intermediate stops. Planned communities with mixed residential-commercial building and concentrated city centers could be achieved. A huge early and late dividend would be breaking down one of the biggest barriers to making Oklahoma great: overcoming the destructive antipathy between OKC and Tulsa. We would have a well planned megalopolis akin to the Baltimore-Washington corridor, and avoid wasteful duplication of facilities and institutions in both cities.
|
|
TOPIC: Expand Oklahoma A+ Schools
The A+ whole school reform model is designed through extensive research to prepare our youth for the 21st century workplace. Its network of support and professional development builds a collaborative, creative environment, critical to prepare students for a global, connected world, using proven practices to foster creativity, innovation, critical thinking and high achievement for all learners.
Now 5 years old, this statewide model has grown every year and is found in urban, suburban and rural schools, representing early childhood, elementary, middle and high schools, in public, private and charter sites. Research results are clear that systematic use of the A+ Essentials, under the guidance of the A+ Schools' staff, leads to higher achievement, better attendance for students and teachers, fewer disciplinary problems, more parent involvement, more creative, focused instruction, and a stronger, happier working environment. A+ is increasingly sought as collaborator in state, national and international initiatives in the arts, sciences and technology. A+ wants to nurture the creativity in every learner, connecting with schools, universities and communities across the state, nation, and world. |
|
TOPIC: public safety
Why not have the public more able to preserve "PUBLIC SAFETY" by keeping in tact the right to bare arms. Too many are quick to make laws against the public having a gun in their possesion. It seems to me that this would be a right that every citizen should cherish |
|
TOPIC: "easy rider rail" System
since Edmond, OKC and Norman are such large growth areas, why not have a -easy rider rail system that can transport people from Edmond to OKC by rail. OKC to Norman, Norman to Edmond, etc. Maybe even into Tulsa/OKC. It could be set up as a subway type system or open rail along the broadway extension. This would help elimate traffic congestion and also make Oklahoma seen as getting into more modern transportation systems. Get more companies involved with setting up pick -up drop sites where they could pick up employees at designated "easy ride rail" drop sites. (Like the airport shuttles do for customers)
Chicago, New York, etc all have good transportation systems so that people do not have to drive cars. Why can't Oklahoma begin to move towards something like that.
Oklahoma "Easy Rider Rail System" |
|
TOPIC: mandatory retirement investment
Oklahoma has a wonderful opportunity to invest in its own economy.
With job growth outpacing the national average and the opportunity for more growth in the private sector, Oklahoma has the ability to invest in its future and individual retirement.
I havn't crunched the numbers I should have before writing this, but there is an obvious problem with the nations social security program. To have a mandatory 2% taken out of each paycheck and reinvested across the board in the Oklahoma private sector would create a economic climate/culture of continual growth and outside interest. The money can be kept in a box much like that of many other retirement accounts and investment programs. The account can be cashed out to those 60 years of age untaxed (capital gains tax would be moot) or used for heathcare if health insurance is not owned by the individual.
This is obviously a rough idea and would have several hundred pages of details, but something needs to be done about retirement and health care. This is a viable option while also investing in the states economy.
This would help development, attract new business, and create a form of senior retirement option when social security forms its own defecit in 20 years. |
|
TOPIC: Equal Treatment of Citizens
We have fought and struggled to make every citizen equal under the law. So it is a legal requirement to treat everyone who is a citizen the same under the law.
To allow an unauthorized alien to reside in Oklahoma illegally only invites the unauthorized alien to be treated differently than a legal citizen.
It is inherantly a violation of the basic human rights of a human being within the State of Oklahoma to be treated differently. The correct solution is to do what is needed to ensure all human beings within the State of Oklahoma are legally within the State of Oklahoma so that they can be treated the same under the law.
Therefore, unauthorized aliens must be removed as expeditously as possible from the State of Oklahoma so that they are not treated differently within the State of Oklahoma. It is impossible for an unauthorized alien to be treated differently than human beings and citizens in the State of Oklahoma if they are not in the State of Oklahoma.
This allows the unauthorized alien their basic human rights and guarantees that they are not being treated differently from citizens within the State of Oklahoma.
In this way, all human beings residing within the State of Oklahoma are citizens and treated the same under the law. This allows them to be legally bound and obligated to follow all of the laws, policies and regulations that are applicable to citizens and human beings under the law in the State of Oklahoma.
|
|
TOPIC: fire fighting
I have always known that Fort Sill was an Army installation, but not until the last 11 years did I know it was an artilery installation. I have observed several fires being started by training operations over that time, and of course the California fires reminds us how small fires can become big one. As well I do recall special munitions of past wars dropped acclerant to create fires, but has anyone done the reverse. Use a liquid de-accelerant or fluid that when at a prescribed distance from the ground and at a calculated location around a fire, a series of shells could be planted to allow this fluid to fill the area absorbing both heat, oxygen, and even a retardant of othe sort. The liquid would be heavier than air at first to fill the landscape and spread rapidly, but would evaporate or be absorbed in the ground hopefully benefitially.
Something as simple as liquid air with a reduced O2 presents.. The ordinance could be dilivered quickly to remote areas using artilery or aircraft. Might work.. need to find the right stuff to deliver and then the right shell casing. |
|
TOPIC: Legal Immigrant Recognition Day
I propose an officially recognized, annually recurring, Oklahoma State “DAY” to recognize and celebrate legitimate immigrants residing in the State of Oklahoma. That day would be November 1. The officially recognized day would NOT be a paid holiday nor a religious holiday but would be a symbolic gesture to the rest of the nation and possibly the world that The State of Oklahoma respects and welcomes legal immigrants. The November 1 date would also hold special significance for Oklahomans who respect the rule of law and prefer to see the State's resources directed to the needs of legal residents.
The proclamation of a state endorsed special day of recognition would deflate the inflammatory rhetoric of supporters of illegal immigration and those scofflaws hell bent on defying immigration laws. The "special day" would be nearly universally applicable since we all came to the region from somewhere else. (Even the Indians migrated into and through the region now known as the State of Oklahoma.) Over time, November 1 might take on an atmosphere of public street celebration similar to Cinco de Mayo, Columbus Day, St. Patrick's Day, Chinese New Year and October Fest.
A special “Legal Immigrant Recognition” Day in the State of Oklahoma should be specifically defined by the Oklahoma State Legislature emphasizing the aspect of "legal" immigration and should include very specific language preventing any future potential hijacking of the celebratory occasion by fringe elements of society proselytizing the normalization of the aberrant. |
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Every year, each county in the state should take a traffic count of their most busiest dirt (unpaved) roads and the state should put up one half of the funding to help each county pave these roads. This is the only way our counties will ever keep up with their dirt roads. |
|
TOPIC: Transportation
We need to construct new weigh stations utilizing the latest technology in order to protect Oklahoma highways and the driving public. Weigh stations are important in reducing the wear and tear of highways due to overweight and oversized trucks. Those that are permited will at least provide revenue to help defray the damage caused by the excess weight. Overweight and oversize trucks are also less safe. The old weigh stations are deteriorated and no longer useful. In addition, they were located to conform with 1950's traffic patterns and need to be placed in better locations. Newer technology will also streamline and facilitate not only the weighing of trucks but provide homeland security possibilities as well. |
|
TOPIC: Merit Pay for Employees in Oklahoma
Many governmental entities across the nation have implemented merit pay for their employees. The concept behind merit pay is to operate on the market principles of rewarding good work with financial incentives. Many studies indicate that individuals are more inclined to increase their work productivity when there are rewards for such endeavors.
Oklahoma currently has a merit protection system. Upon enactment in 1959, the act established two types of state employees: classified and unclassified. Classified employees are granted significant protection in exchange for ceding the right to participate in certain types of political activities. Unclassified employees, however, have fewer employment protections. The concept behind the system was that talented state employees could have a successful career with state agencies without fearing shifts in the political spectrum.
Merit pay serves as an incentive for employees to work hard. If employees see that improvement is indeed rewarded, then productivity will arguably increase. Allowing merit pay reverses the archaic across-the-board raises that have dominated state government for so long.
Merit pay could serve as an incentive for more state employees to pursue advanced educational degrees. If employees see that education is rewarded, then more employees might seek to pursue such endeavors in the hopes of having more employment options. |
|
TOPIC: Health Care - Government Reform
Currently the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is a free-standing agency. We should move the duties and responsibilities of the medical examiner's office to the Oklahoma State Department of Health. This could potentially save the state money by combining adminstrative duties that are common to both agencies (e.g., personnel, accounting, and data processing) and would also give the examiner's office access to OSDH's talent pool of doctors. |
|
TOPIC: Civil Rights - Government Reform
Merge the Human Rights Commission into the Attorney General’s Office. This could increase governmental efficiencies, provide more stature to the Human Rights Commission and the activities conducted by the Commission and has the potential to provide the Commission with more enforcement powers. |
|
TOPIC: Reform Government
Eliminate double pensions for elected officials. An elected official can qualify for a double pension if they retire while holding an elected postion and have held office for six consecutive years leading up to retirement. In this case the pension multiplier is 4 instead of the normal 2 or 2 1/2, therefore doubling the amount. (it is particulary aggregious for county commissioners who have among the highest eleted official salaries in the state). |
|
TOPIC: Railroad
Hayley Wolff
I am very concerned about the number of trucks on our roads and highways. Our roadways are constantly congested, and they are subject to on-going damage due to the number of trucks on the road and the excessive weight. Our bridges are also unsafe and in need of repair, and I’m sure the eighteen-wheelers play a huge role in their destruction. The air quality and ozone problems are affected by the trucking industry, and fuel cost and consumption rates are at an all time high.
My grandfather is 75 years old and, in his youth, he worked for the Soo Line Railroad company in northern Wisconsin. I do not get to visit with him very often, but I remember how happy and excited he would get when trains would pass by while we were on the road on vacation. However, his smile would last as long as the train was in sight, but then he would become sad. He would tell us stories about cargo and passenger trains and how efficient they were compared to semi-trucks. He thought the abandonment of the railroad system was a huge mistake for this country. He said that each train car could hold the cargo of at least two semi-trucks, and one engine could pull approximately 40 cars….that is the equivalence of 80 or more truckloads! Although the trains use diesel fuel, the fuel is used to generate electricity, which in turn runs the motors on the wheels of the train. So, it is a very efficient means of transporting goods as well as passengers.
I propose we bring back the trains. We could save millions of dollars in repair and maintenance costs for our roads and bridges, save on the use and cost of fuel, slow down the ozone destruction, and improve air quality at the same time, which could also improve the health of Oklahomans who suffer from respiratory diseases such as asthma. I think this idea would improve the economic status of our state and the health of Oklahomans.
Outline
I. Designate a task force
II. Determine feasibility of the railroad system
III. Explore the status of our current railway system
IV. Obtain funding
V. Contract or negotiate with railroad companies
VI. Provide incentives to companies to encourage use of the railways
|
|
TOPIC: Give a pair of wing to our dreams.
Do you have a dream? I have a dream. My dream is to open a restaurant which hires the dwarfs. I do not want people to look down on dwarfs. Everyone has a dream, especially for young people. Young people always have a brilliant idea of dream. Even though we have a great idea, the dream is difficult to come true because times and money.
For example, I have a great idea of opening a restaurant hiring dwarfs because I want people to know more about dwarfs. Also, I want to show people that dwarfs are as skillful as normal people. You may think it is a pretty nice idea. However, my parents would suggest me to go to college or find a regular job instead of “day dreaming”. That means my parents do not financially support me. But, I do need money to pay for some basic expenditure such as rent for a restaurant, decoration fee, and salary for dwarfs. As a result of without supporting, I can only give up my dream. This situation is like a bird without a pair of wing.
However, the government can give a pair of wing to my dream, and all the young people’s dreams. I think government can set up a “Dream comes true” plan for young people. This plan is for the young people who have a dream need to be financially buttressed. The government can set an age of range form 16 to 26 and an amount of financial aid from $10,000 to $15,000. The government should also set up a special committee to determine the applicants’ ideas by interviewing them. If the applicants are accepted, they have to be responsible for their dreams. They can take 1 to 3 years to accomplish their dreams. If they succeed, they only have to return 80% of the financial aid. So, give a pair of wing to our dream. Let our dreams fly to the blue sky.
|
|
TOPIC: reduce tax and provent hide tax
I think tax is very important problem in use, first problem is some of people who come from other counties won’t need to paid tax, because they can not get any advantage from government as citizen in USA, I support the these people do not necessary to paid tax for shopping, and paid any thing in anywhere. Some company and some store get the tax as profit the money from customer come from other countries. Hence if the government can make the rule that that these people won’t need to paid tax from store, the store can not hide profit from these customers.
Second problem is the government should make the rule for the reducing tax for some companies, which companies should give and support the money for the student, who has difficult situation for the tuition fee in university. Many people are working while they are students in university, because the tuition is expensive for the some students who is international student or medical student or private school’s student hence the parents can not support their tuition or living fee, so that the student must go to working. but the student may not concenrate on study while they are working. Some university financial aid is just a few.
Now many companies move to countries which the tax is cheaper than the USA, for example Swaziland tax is cheaper. However why the government can not make some way to keep these companies?, which company can help the student and develop the USA . If the government make rule for this, many student will help by this and many people can study in good school in USA.
After these people can developed USA economy. So this is good idea that everyone can get benefit.
|
|
TOPIC: Immediate Health Care Fix
We all know that health care costs are rising and there is no immediate fix. I think
Oklahoma should invest in emergency care clinics. This would decrease the number of emergency room visits and the resulting high cost of treatment administered for non-emergency procedures. Government would save money by providing these clinics for those individuals who are uninsured and over burdening the emergency rooms unnecessarily. This would provide those families and individuals who have fallen through the cracks with a safety net while saving an incredible amount of money. This would also help the high number of children who are uninsured to have access to lower cost health care. Interns could gain valuable experience as they are supervised by doctors. Doctors could volunteer time to such clinics for tax breaks.
|
|
TOPIC: Superintendent of Public Instruction
Dynamic, innovative and leadership with a vision for change is essential in any profession whether it be in business, education or public service. I truly believe it is time that we encourage those outside the education profession to campaign for the position as Superintendent of Public Instruction. It is time for change and the needed changes with new and fresh ideas will not come until this happens. My idea would be to encourage a young and dynamic and successful business individual to campaign for this most important position. The Education establishment and our public schools needs a new and positive image in our state. The first thing that needs changed for this to happen is for the Salary and Benefits to be increased. The State Superintendent should be basically performing two essential job tasks. These job opportunities being working very closely with the State Legislature, and developing a strong, positive and professional image for our public schools. A Marketing Campaign if you will. The new Superintendent of Public Instruction would have a full time Marketing Staff Person to help with the development of this Marketing Campaign.
The next Superintendent of Public Instruction must have some very favorable characteristics. These being a dynamic personality, a great staff surrounding him/her, a vision for change using some business principles, hiring new staff at the State Department and these individuals do not necessarily have to be educators. People with strong people skills, and administrative skills will be vital.
Lets stop calling our schools "Common Schools"! This term immediately gives a negative image. For heavens sake, the public schools are more than "common". Why not Elementary and Secondary Insititutions of Public Instruction? I know, it is a Constitutional "thing". Lets change it!! Why not refer to the public schools as Academic Institutions?
We need change! We need more parental ownership! We need to show parents how to take ownership, what questions to ask educators. We need local community ownership! We need full time staff at each public school to train parents, civic leaders, local government officials, and local spiritual leaders how to take local "Ownership" of the local schools.
We need change at the local level and we need new and dynamic leadership at the top! Educators are trained to teach! Lets let the teachers teach and give them the time to teach. We don't need longer days, we need to quit playing baseball games 5-6 times a week in the afternoon during the school day! We don't need longer school years! Lets better utilize the time we already have!
Thank You. I have much more to say on these issues! |
|
TOPIC: Scholarship contest
Oklahoma’s Future, Oklahoma Pride
I. Teach pride in Oklahoma in schools
A. Teach pride beginning in kindergarten
B. Reinforce pride in our state throughout the following school years
II. Hire an advertising agency to:
A. Use celebrities from Oklahoma in new pride campaign
B. Change the license plate from Oklahoma is OK to a new slogan is
III. Begin a push to eliminate litter.
A. Use the same celebrities in this advertising campaign
B. Tie the two ideas together -- if we have pride in our
state, we won't throw trash on it.
IV. Reap the benefits of a new attitude.
Oklahoma's Future, Oklahoma Pride
By Jenna Kelly
The future of Oklahoma is brighter than it has been in my lifetime. The state has made great strides in improving Oklahoma's economy, Oklahoma's education system, and Oklahoma's image in the nation. Now, it's time to work on the image most Oklahomans have of their state.
I'm proud to be an Okie. I believe we have one of the most unique states in the country, and I marvel at the natural beauty of this state. I believe there's an attitude in Oklahoma that is unique in this nation -- part western mystique and part pure south. But I don't see a lot of pride in our state. I think that lack of pride shows in many ways. Some are obvious, such as the litter we see along the roadways. Some are less obvious -- an attitude of discomfiture fostered by public perception of our great state. I believe our license plate, "Oklahoma is OK" is the attitude of most of our residents.
We've come a long way from the Dust Bowl. We are not just a prominent state in Tornado Alley. We have overcome adversity of all kinds -- weather-related disasters, the oil bust of the eighties, the Murrah Building bombing. Through it all, we've shown the country our strength, our ability to overcome. The nation is starting to take notice. It's time our people did.
I believe we should start a broad, far-reaching campaign to instill pride in the people of Oklahoma. The future of Oklahoma pride begins with the children. We should begin instilling that pride in our children beginning in kindergarten, and reinforcing that pride in throughout the following school years, so that future generations have the right attitude about our great state.
We should, also, use the many celebrities who have roots in Oklahoma to begin this campaign. We should work to bring self respect back to Oklahoma, a sense of satisfaction and pride in our accomplishments, pride in our individuality, pride that changes the attitude in each one of us.
In this centennial year, it's time for Oklahoma, and Oklahomans to stand proud. In the words of one of our most famous natives, Will Rogers, "You've got to go out on a limb sometimes, because that's where the fruit is."
|
|
TOPIC: Sustainable Changes
Due to the current reliance on foreign oil, and the large out-put of pollution the country currently experiences, putting renewable energy sources into place could benefit the human race. In Oklahoma, starting this procees on school campus's would not only,show the country our committment to make positive changes for the betterment of the nations people, but would also allow an increase in funds to schools across oklahoma.
|
|
TOPIC: Getting My Town Involved
My idea would most definitely have to involve getting my community united and having their input. I absolutely love to sew and design clothes, jewerly, anything fashionable! I live in a small town, Cushing, we have about 8,000 residents. Recentally being built in our town is a new Wal-Mart Supercenter. So this means that our Wal-Mart right now will soon be an old empty building just sitting there all dried up. Now, I have always imagined owning my own store that would have all sorts of fashionable products in it, including some of my own designs. What I think would be so exciting is if this store would open, Amanda's Designs, the products that we would have in our location would be hand selected by our community. Why I think the old Wal-Mart building would be perfect for this place? With this store, I would like for it to fit everyones wants and needs. There would be certain locations in the store: a children's spot, teens, adults, and even senior citizens joint. So you're probably thinking, "what is the point of this store, what makes it so different from all of the other places out there?" Anyone with ideas of a certain clothing product that they have pictured in their head, but cannnot seem to find in stores can create that desired item over our computer systems. Even if someone has sketched up a shoe design that no one has ever seen before, they can bring in their ideas and have them created in a moments time. There are workers on staff ready and willing to help you create and idea, or if you already have an idea of what you wish to create, numerous computers will be set up all throughout the location and people can actually submit their ideas and the product they have created will be produced and shipped in the quantity that they desire. After someone submits their idea, others can purchase that one of a kind item whenever shipments arrive. Teachers would want to take their students on field trips to Amanda's. This would be the perfect place to express yourself and create things that have not yet been thougt of. Amanda's Designs would be a place that children of all ages would be welcome and an exciting place to be. This is something Cushing could be known for. A place to express your ideas. |
|
TOPIC: Child Support Collection
As divorce seems more and more prevalent in today's society, the collection of child support needs to be fixed. As a child of a divorced family I know what it is like to live with the frustration of late or unpaid child support. We have since moved out of the state and upon moving collecting unpaid child support has become increasingly difficult. Simply arresting, suspending licenses, or garnishing wages doesn't seem to help the situation.
To put it bluntly, collecting child support for families is nearly impossible. As for back child support? Forget it. My dad has had his license suspended. My dad has had numerous court dates. My dad has even been arrested. My sister and I may get a $60 check in the mail for a month or two but it is quickly stopped and we don't hear from him for months. With me being in college and my sister about to do the same his support would be nice because as we all know, college is not cheap.
I think there should be better ways to collect child support. One, my dad has had his wages garnished in the past and that's when we would get his monthly checks. However, checks are not garnished until DHS or child support enforcement knows where they work. I read that there is also a new thing where it is included on new hire paperwork. That is beneficial, however, some child support violators work at jobs where taxes are not taken out and checks are not garnished. It should be made a requirement that all jobs garnish wages if needed. I also think child support violators should be assigned an officer, like a parole officer, that they must report to to discuss where they are working and that their support is being paid.
It's also been brought to my attention that state licenses are suspended for unpaid child support. Although driving is a privilege, taking away their driver's license takes away a means of transportation. When being interviewed for a job, often times a question of whether or not they have a reliable source of transportation. If they don't have their own license they often don't. This could lead in them not getting the job or firing later because they are late or miss a shift.
Finally, I think that Oklahoma set up a system of jobs to employ deadbeat moms and dads so that child support can be paid to the families that really need it. The children are the future of Oklahoma and raising them is not cheap. College especially can take a toll on a family. Children don't choose their family and financial situations and I think all should be done to make their lives better; divorce is hard enough.
|
|
TOPIC: ALL
I think to better Oklahoma as a whole, we need to use our space to make the world better. By focusing on ways to imporve the planet and find alternate fuel sources. We have a vast majority of open land to work on projects that can better our state as well as better the ecomonmy in Oklahoma. In doing that we will natually bring more money to our state and be able to provide better resources for schools, communities and families.
I think we should be a green state, be the first state as a whole to tap into that niche. We can grow more crops here, provide more wind farms, those both generate more income for the poeple of Oklahoma.
We pride ourselves on agriculture, it is time to invest in small colleges and make their agri-research more beneficial to America as well as Oklahoma. We could have a major research center for global warming and it's effects on crop growing, animals, etc.
We need to be a more diverse state and welcome people from all walks of life into our society and help re-intergrate people who are shuned from society. We have many labor opportunites to help people if we open up the state to more of the things already discussed.
It is time Oklahoma stood up and became a center for the U.S. We are proud of our history and I think we need to do things to continue to make us proud as a people and a state. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Parents should be held accountable for helping to educate their children. If a child does not perform at satisfactory or above level on ANY OCCT, the parent should be taxed. Schools spend a lot of time and money educating students and parents should participate as well. The burden cannot be placed soley on schools and educators. It is time for parents to take responsibility for their own children. |
|
TOPIC: School Choice
Adopt the Friedman Foundation school voucher system. This will raise the level of education through competition. This will also allow lower income families to choose private education, if that is what they want. |
|
TOPIC: Secure Attachment
Statistics show that Oklahoma has one of the highest divorce rate in the United States of America (http://www.okmarriage.org/Services/OklahomaDivorce.asp). Why is this, you may ask. Let’s go back to the beginning of each child’s life. During the first few years of life, a child must develop a healthy, secure attachment to his/her parent in order to have healthy relationships later on in life. As I have learned in Developmental Psychology, children who develop an insecure attachment with their primary caregiver, are more likely to demonstrate aggression, destructive relationships, or are more clingy as adults, in comparison to their securely attached counterparts. So what if there was a program that helped to detect if these attachments were progressing positively? I would suggest designing a daycare program that is available to the public, charging little or no fees. What if, each of these daycare facilities, a developmentalist was left in charge to head the program? They would measure a child’s attachment to their primary caretaker as the parent leaves, and as the parent returns (A study done by Mary Ainsworth). The daycare could provide coaching for the parents whose children display signs of insecure attachment. For some parents, they may not realize the impact they have on their child. However, if parents were educated in this area, I think we would see a more harmonious society, and hopefully stronger marital relationships in the generations to come. |
|
TOPIC: Agriculture
“Sowing Seeds of Hope from the Heartland”
The Idea:
A global initiative based in Oklahoma, aimed at spreading our state’s agriculture and petroleum expertise to those who need it in third-world and developing countries.
Outline of the Idea:
Oklahoma is a deep well of knowledge and experience when it comes to agriculture and petroleum techniques. As the developing world struggles to overcome vast expanses of poverty, Oklahomans can sow seeds of hope by helping to develop farming and drilling techniques that will directly help those in need.
Our state is bursting at the seams with the intellectual and human capital in regards to agriculture and petroleum. We find ourselves at the heart of the world’s superpower, providing the fuel and food to keep America running. We have an amazing opportunity to spread our knowledge with people in dire need.
An Oklahoma-based initiative to help the third world would define the pioneering legacy of our state. The benefits reaped from such an initiative would spread across our great state as they spread across the world.
Imagine Oklahoma petroleum experts taking a one or two-year trip to Chad, helping the local people understand how to best leverage the technology for their benefit. Imagine Oklahoma legislators joining the trip, working with the Chadian government to ensure the profits from the growing oil industry reach the people in need, not just the pockets of the government.
Imagine internally displaced citizens in Uganda and Sudan. If peace in their civil wars is found, they could finally return to their homeland to work the land. Imagine Oklahoma farmers there waiting for them, teaching them basic farming techniques and helping them get back to life.
Then, imagine the new global perspective of these Oklahoma servants when they return to America’s heartland, forever changed by what they saw in the third-world. With their experience of sowing hope to those in need, they would have a new vision and reason to appreciate our great state. Then begins the process of spreading that global perspective and experience to future generations of Oklahomans.
|
|
TOPIC: Alternative Energy
Our State relies to heavily on coal and oil for energy of homes and businesses. Being a disabled veteran of this most recent global war on terrorism, I have been in Oklahoma only a short time. I have observed all the energy uses and how they are produced in the state. If the state would take the time and look into alternative energy sources like solar or wind generated power the state could truly save a lot of money there by also making more money.
If the state would offer grants and tax cuts for individuals and small businesses to install and connect to the main power grid solar and wind generators some of the outcomes would be more than just economical gains and savings. The impacts on environment, electricity production, health in the people, the live stock and crops of this great state would be so positively increased it would make Oklahoma a leader in the country for all areas stated above.
The impacts on environment would come in the form of renewable or as I call it constant energy. The sun will always be there to collect its energy on solar panels. The wind in Oklahoma is almost a constant event. If every small business, Farm, Ranch and some residents put of a couple of solar panels and / or at least one wind generator instead of building more power plants the state may be able to cut back on what the current plants produce. The by product of this would by less air pollution caused by gas or coal power plants.
The electricity production would increase and the usage would seam to decrease. This trend would become noticeable if only one quarter of our locally owned businesses, farms and ranches were to make the change to solar and wind power. By creating one or both of these methods of making electricity the individuals and companies of Oklahoma will contribute to the states electrical grid and save money for themselves.
Health problems in people, animals and in plants would begin to decrease in the following years. Once there is less pollution in the air from these coal and gas plants the air quality will begin to heal itself.
I have much more information on this topic than I can put into a short essay. If there is any kind of an interest please feel free to contact me and I would be more than willing to help draw up a plan on how to implement the changes.
Thank you
Michael A. Hash
(Disabled Veteran and Student at Seminole State College)
|
|
TOPIC: Domestic Security
The most recent death of a Polish man in Vancouver's airport, after being tasered by police, marks only the most recent in a seemingly now-common occurrence that has left more than 70 people dead. Just Google the phrase "taser deaths", or search for it on Youtube to see many examples of actual horrifying footage. The taser has become many police officers' FIRST option, and many, as you can see in most of the footage on youtube, use it LIBERALLY, even when the circumstances don't call for such a level of force. The reason being is that they believe it is harmless, and since the victim recovers quickly afterward, they see no harm in repeatedly tasering even mildly non-compliant and unarmed suspects.
The problem with this is that many of these suspects are being tasered to death. Some have heart conditions, others are just in too poor health to surived the repeated shocks. With other non-lethal options at their disposal, such as batons, rubber bullets, pepper spray, threat of deadly force with a firearm, numbers, and plain old manpower, police should be more conservative with their use of the taser and in the circumstances that justify its use.
Police should be held more accountable for even non-lethal confrontations in which tasers are used. They should have to count how many jolts are used, just as they have to count and justify every bullet that is fired from their guns.
It should NOT be legal to use a taser on an unarmed suspect when three or more officers are present, and obviously capable of subduing said suspect with alternate means.
Will it take an Oklahoma citizen being killed before we pay attention? |
|
TOPIC: The Blue law is antiquated
It's embarrassing that we still have an alcohol ban on Sundays. There is no practical reason for this ban, referred to as "the blue law" other than the christian designation of Sunday as a holy day, and now, in the 21st century, that should have no bearing on the law. The law was created to get more people to go to church, and it needs to be repealed, and then placed on the ballot to be voted on with proper, modern justification. For example, some may claim that allowing alcohol sales on Sundays will cause more traffic accidents and alcohol related deaths. That may be so, but the fact is, it will only increase such accidents on Sundays. If this is truly the justification for the law, then why Sunday? Why not monday, or friday, or wednesday? The law needs to be removed from the books, REintroduced, and voted on. Similar states, such as Delaware, Maine, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Virgina and New Mexico have already repealed their blue laws. Let's not be last in line to modernize, for a change. |
|
TOPIC: Betterment of OK
While looking at some of the ideas or topics I noticed a lot of the same issues that have been ongoing for years. The first one hundred years of OK being a state have brought mamy changes. Most of them were and are for the good. The song "Oklahoma" really does say a lot. We are doing fine and I beleive if we stick to the ways we started from and if need be step back to the ideas that we have wondered away from we will be a better state not because of a new idea that someone submits but because we have a good solid foundation to work from. If need be we can go back to the original ideas and and perfect and expand on the ones that made OK the great state that it is today. We as Oklahomans know what we need to do and the lawmakers and other people in authority know what we need to do. Oklhaoma is not sheped like a key for nothing. We are the key ot the success of the United States. We are the key to the success of the surrounding states; We have the ability to influence our state, our neighbors and our great nation. Maybe just maybe it is time for a president to come out of Oklahoma and show the world how it is done. I say take what we have and make it better by being honest and open. If we make a mistake let us be strong enough to admit it and do all we can to right that wrong. If we stay honest and trustwrothy as a state we can be all we need to be. Just as the oil was here and all we had to do was reach for it the ideas are already here. Let's just reach for them. |
|
TOPIC: Improved education in Rural Oklahoma
I have been out recently polling local school systems in search of WHAT CAN WE DO in Oklahoma's weak school system. Of course, MONEY, no surprise there. However, when questioned further as to suggestions on improving the system the number one answer was the STATE needs to implement laws to increase funding, no surprise their either.
I propose that we STOP looking for State handouts and devise ALTERNATIVE avenues that not only increase funding for our system but are eco-safe and allow for advancing the education of our younger generation. We can prepare them for the future much better at this tender age rather than sending them off to college or tech schools with little idea of what the world is doing and offering. Let's step beyond the normal and add to our school systems by other means that not only will generate income for the independant school systems but teach our children new skills that will prove highly necessary to their advanced future.
Bio fuels is a major advancement in energy efficiency in our transportation system, and I firmly believe that we could establish manufacturing, storage, as well as distribution centers that involve select school systems as a pilot program. Oklahoma resturants are favorable in the aid of assisting this program by allowing us to collect their used cooking oils and bio fuels is deeply interested in the aid of establishing sites for storage and channeling of these fuels.
As the majority of schools are utilizing Diesel driven engines the transition is low cost, virtually no cost. The production of this Fuel is approx $0.45 and with storage and distribution handled by select schools we can generate revenue for many schhol sites as well as cut the cost of fuel consumption, which in itself cuts costs and in turn will allow more funds already allocated to the school system to be levied for better education to our children and not to just transportation of our children.
After thought: 15% savings in fuel costs alone annually offers a tremendous relief to many struggling school systems.
I have more if you are willing to expand your train of thought and hope you will assist in launching such a program...
Sincerely
Jeffery W. Lee |
|
TOPIC: food for the needy
The U.S. Government is giving incentives to farmers to not plant crops. I think Oklahoma should give a bigger incentive to farmers who would be getting these incentives to instead farm the land and buy all the crops like these to be used to feed starving people in the state. With the fertile Oklahoma soil underneath our feet we could possibly be the first state in the union to end starvation all together in the state. Nobody in Oklahoma should have to go hungry while I own a pear tree that every year has to many pears and breaks branches under the weight of these pears. |
|
TOPIC: health care, new laws, water
get our various representatives to introduce bills to get their constituants (the general public) like me the same heath plan they have available for themselves.
stop passing laws that are duplications of whats already on the "books" just for the attorneys benefit.
do not sell oklahoma water rights to other states, countrys, etc.as this would set a precedent that could not be reversed. |
|
TOPIC: Law Against Lies
Why not a law that simply states, any person who holds any political office in the state of Oklahoma, who is caught lying, will lose their job, their retirement and can never hold any political positition again. According to Christianity it is a sin to lie... Then why shouldn't it be against the law? That should keep politicians honest. |
|
TOPIC: fines
Change the current law that requires the owner of a vehicle to pay the impound fees when it is stolen.
Charge the person who steals the vehicle with the fines and impound fees instead of the owner. I know of an instance when a person had saved and purchased a car in order to get a better job and improve their life. The car was stolen, and because she could not get to the job, she could not pay the impound fees and therefore could not improve the status of her life.
Just change who is charged with the fees and fines when a vehicle is stolen.
It would make a difference in how people can better their own lives and improve the economic condition of the state in some cases, such as this one. |
|
TOPIC: Education
To get parent more involved in education and become more responsible for their children, parents schools pay $100 per month for each of their childs enrolled.
A good number of students earn less than a "A" is because of laziness vs inabilty to learn. If parents must write out a check ever month the parents will take more interest. A parent will pay more attention to their child or the teacher.
The parents are paying currently - property tax, income tax and ?????. The government collects money in sort of an indirect method. By having parents making direct payment - they would most likely be more responsible.
For those who have limited income, give people with limited governments tax credits.
Eliminate the clause of our State Constitution
The Legislature shall establish and maintain a system of free public schools wherein all the children of the State may be educated.
---Note: One can claim all children age conception to an independent adult. |
|
TOPIC: Establish concept fair
Establish an annual idea/concept invention fair open to all and encouraging youth participation- rewards based!
Sam Firman, Carl Rankin, Ronnie Smith, Sr., Bart Hadley, Michael D. Pope, Don Armes |
|
TOPIC: Establish the Oklahoma education system
Establish the Oklahoma education system nationally as having the highest standards in the nation!
Sam Firman, Carl Rankin, Ronnie Smith, Sr., Bart Hadley, Michael D. Pope, Don Armes |
|
TOPIC: Life skills-school curriculum
Incorporate life skills and responsibility into school curriculum, year-round.
Tom Walther, Edith Francis, Bob Shell, Jacqueline Davis, Matt Roark, Bridget Wood |
|
TOPIC: Ethics training for public servants
Require ethics training for public servants, e.g. teachers.
Tom Walther, Edith Francis, Bob Shell, Jacqueline Davis, Matt Roark, Bridget Wood |
|
TOPIC: Prevent childhood obesity
Divert tax dollars to prevent measures targeting childhood obesity and smoking increases.
Tom Walther, Edith Francis, Bob Shell, Jacqueline Davis, Matt Roark, Bridget Wood |
|
TOPIC: Recycling in public schools
Require recylcing in public schools and events. Utilize existing resources and volunteers.
Tom Walther, Edith Francis, Bob Shell, Jacqueline Davis, Matt Roark, Bridget Wood |
|
TOPIC: Immigration
On immigration, lets stand back and think about this another way. It is not that we do not want to be kind to immigrants or that we do not want them to have what we have, it has just exceeded our capacity to provide for them. If we invited a family from another country to be our guest and stay in our home for a few months and then they called home and invited their parents to come, and then brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, brother-in-law and so on, we simply could not provide for them. We would certainly need to fit them all in our home. We would need enough space for all of them to sleep. We would certainly want them to eat, so we would try to count our quarters and get the basic essentials from the grocery store. We would need enough bathrooms to provide for their hygiene. Enough resources to teach them our language. Schools to send their children to. Doctors and hospitals that can care for their medical needs and we decide to ask our state government to help and they gladly do so. They provide a program to let them get groceries, education, and so forth.
The problem is that we ourselves are now broke. They are going to college under minority status and getting great educational opportunities that are not afforded to us. I have tried since 1995 to further my degree and cannot get help. I have been turned down for 5 scholarships to go from LPN to RN degree. Not enough funds they say for an online degree. Our hospitality has put the average Oklahoman into status of underdog.
We have no more room in our house and state without affecting our own Oklahoma well-being.
The immigrants must enter the U.S the right way, and not send thousands a month sneaking over our border, anymore than sneaking in our home would be justified with all of their relatives when I simply cannot afford it.
. |
|
TOPIC: Incarcerated women
Oklahoma has the highest rate of incarceration of women than any other state. Who is behind this? Which prosecutor, which judge? Women in Oklahoma are some of the best people anywhere. It needs to be tracked and stopped. |
|
TOPIC: Increase taxes on tobacco and alcohol
Increase taxes on tobacco and alcohol, benefiting health prevention measures.
Tom Walther, Edith Francis, Bob Shell, Jacqueline Davis, Matt Roark, Bridget Wood |
|
TOPIC: Center for innovation
Center for innovation- clusters for small business, encourage the entrepreneur.
Dayna Hayes, Darla Davis, Sara Pannell, Emily Call, Liz Fugate, Connie Beair |
|
TOPIC: Wind farm
Wind farm- Harness alternative energy sources and utilize under used farmland, manufacture the towers, tax breaks for investors.
Dayna Hayes, Darla Davis, Sara Pannell, Emily Call, Liz Fugate, Connie Beair |
|
TOPIC: Family education parenting classes
Family education parenting classes, marriage classes, affordable counseling, drug education, tax breaks for businesses w/ childcare.
Dayna Hayes, Darla Davis, Sara Pannell, Emily Call, Liz Fugate, Connie Beair |
|
TOPIC: Promote the image of the region
Establish a relationship with neighboring states to form a collaborative effort to promote one image for the region.
Chris Jones, Sara Deutsch, Amy Griffin, Jarrad Bourger, Andrew Genna, Brent Bonner |
|
TOPIC: Tax incentive for college students
Tax incentive for Oklahoma college graduates to stay and work in Oklahoma.
Chris Jones, Sara Deutsch, Amy Griffin, Jarrad Bourger, Andrew Genna, Brent Bonner |
|
TOPIC: Education/Technology
Education/Technology- Require that x% of funding be used for technology in schools; districts are required to develop a technology-based curriculum.
Joe Blackmon, Earl Sears, Tyler Vaclaw, Tracey Harlow, Scot Harlow |
|
TOPIC: Tourism
Tourism- All major state entrances feature a welcome center.
Joe Blackmon, Earl Sears, Tyler Vaclaw, Tracey Harlow, Scot Harlow |
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Transportation- Proper allocation for roads and bridges.
Joe Blackmon, Earl Sears, Tyler Vaclaw, Tracey Harlow, Scot Harlow |
|
TOPIC: Welfare
Dear Sirs,
I am speaking from my own experience of receiving Tanf. It is a big joke to the people of Oklahoma. I am just foritude to get in the Employment Readiness Program. I state that I had a disableity, but no one would listen until I got in the program and it was apparent that I had a medicine problem. Yet, there are people who abuse the system. In that I am saying there a two few workers in each county for the cleints that have needs. We should encourage each person to do the best they are able to do by going to job training or back to school with a little help from DHS that way we get people out of the system and woeking to make them feel they are contriating to everyone. There are people who fall threw the cracks that really need help that don not do drugs or alchol that need assistance. Over all I would just encourage start now to get more programs like the Employment Reandiness to our state. It give women of men the opportitnity to get a head in life and feel better about themselves.
Thank you
Cynthia Pigeon
|
|
TOPIC: Gay Marriage
The purpose of government is to protect people from outside harm and allow them to live their lives. This purpose is widely ignored, especially in Oklahoma. Gays and lesbians are discriminated against and denied legal equality. It’s time for Oklahoma to let go of their religious and political dogma and recognize homosexuals as equals. |
|
TOPIC: Organic Food
I believe that each citizen has the right to live a free and healthy life I believe that finding a way to make organic foods more affordable to citizens there could be a considerable amount of weight loss in the state of Oklahoma. In the past few years I have watched people that surround gain weight at a rapid rate. Society has created an idea that everything must come in a large quantity and at a fast pace. This idea has had a major impact on people around the world. Fast food chains have and are continuing to make millions off of feeding people an array of unhealthy food. I believe that by allowing citizens the opportunity to eat meals that consist of naturally grown products instead of pasteurized products would increase the amount of healthy citizens. Health related issues such as heart complications, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc are some of the leading causes of death in our society. Most of these problems could be solved by citizens having healthy eating habits. The main reason people tend not to use organic products or foods is because they are high in price. Due to the fact that organic foods are grown without pesticides or other substances that can enhance the growing process, organic foods tend to be looked at as unaffordable. If farmers could find a way to grow large amounts of crops without pesticides and other growth products organic foods could have a major impact on the healthy eating habits. One can not assume that people will stop going to fast food restaurants to get a quick meal, instead we hope that by allowing for a healthier type of product people will consider the effects of healthy eating habits. Likewise one might say that by using organic products in fast food restaurants the overall costs of meals would increase. This may be true but I believe citizens would rather pay more for a meal they know is healthy than a meal they know is simply putting them at risks for later complications. By implementing restaurants and fast food chains to incorporate organic products in their ingredients this in return would help society become healthy which I believe is a goal that everyone would love to achieve. |
|
TOPIC: Future of Oklahoma Families
Find a way to promote gardening in Oklahoma. Teach ways to beautify your own yard (if you have one) and how to start your own vegetable garden. If you don't have a yard, you could still work with containers of some kind. You don't need a lot of space and it really is a practicle skill to have and could help reduce your grocery bill. If you grow something you can actually eat, it is really exciting! I think kids could have some fun with this if schools had a way to work it into a class or activity. If not, maybe a community center or a local tv station might want to do something. It could be promoted every Spring prior to planting time. If taken on as a community effort, senior citizens might consider volunteering to help with it and teach the younger people. If you had a really big community garden, you could donate food items to the elderly/disabled/needy families in your community. Churches might want to take up the idea. |
|
TOPIC: Guide students toward manufacturing
Guide non-college bound students toward manufacturing (84% don't go to or graduate from college)
John Edwards, Sonny Cline, Bill Martinson, Doug Edwards |
|
TOPIC: Do away with the toll roads
Don't do away with the toll roads...just the tolls.
John Edwards, Sonny Cline, Bill Martinson, Doug Edwards |
|
TOPIC: Merit based education system
Merit based education system.
John Edwards, Sonny Cline, Bill Martinson, Doug Edwards |
|
TOPIC: MIO
Promote "Manufactured in Oklahoma".
Christine Roper, John Bernardine, Paul Eads, Don Faber, Charles Madison |
|
TOPIC: Lawsuit reform
Lawsuit reform--whoever loses, pays.
Christine Roper, John Bernardine, Paul Eads, Don Faber, Charles Madison |
|
TOPIC: Perception of manufacturing careers
Change perception of manufacturing careers in schools/with high school counselors.
Christine Roper, John Bernardine, Paul Eads, Don Faber, Charles Madison |
|
TOPIC: Manufacturing academy
Create a manufacturing academy.
Christine Roper, John Bernardine, Paul Eads, Don Faber, Charles Madison |
|
TOPIC: Economic Development Zone
Create economic development zone around OU/OSU/TU to compete with Research Triangle in North Carolina.
Christine Roper, John Bernardine, Paul Eads, Don Faber, Charles Madison |
|
TOPIC: Lean Government
Lean Government
-Reduce Agencies, Boards, Communities
Doug Sullivent, Charles Ridener, Brian Reumes, Bart Pickens, Henry O'Brien, Curtis Evans |
|
TOPIC: Innovation
Innovation
-Education
-Tax Structure
Doug Sullivent, Charles Ridener, Brian Reumes, Bart Pickens, Henry O'Brien, Curtis Evans |
|
TOPIC: Workforce
Workforce
a. Integrate TNG to industry
b. Global Competition
c. Sourcing
d. Tax
Doug Sullivent, Charles Ridener, Brian Reumes, Bart Pickens, Henry O'Brien, Curtis Evans |
|
TOPIC: Ethics/Morals
Ethics/Morals----Remove employers from insurance equation.
Doug Sullivent, Charles Ridener, Brian Reumes, Bart Pickens, Henry O'Brian, Curtis Evans |
|
TOPIC: Standardize EPA/DEQ regulations
Standardize EPA/DEQ regulations within counties and with surrounding states.
Bob Carter, Don Crall, Tracy Crow |
|
TOPIC: ODOC develop program
ODOC develop program to attract skilled out-of-state manufacturing employees to the state.
Bob Carter, Don Crall, Tracy Crow |
|
TOPIC: Business ethics in education
Include business ethics and character education in K-12 curriculum.
Bob Carter, Don Crall, Tracy Crow |
|
TOPIC: Tobacco
Tax tobacco products into non-existance. Then use the money to fix the roads, increase teacher income, increase state employee pay, etc. At the same time it will generally improve Oklahoman's health which will cause insurance rates to drop. |
|
TOPIC: Weight Problem
According to CalorieLab Inc. Oklahoma is the within the top 10 fattest states in 2007 and within the top 15 in 2006. There are many solutions to this problem, but a couple of suggestions are as follows:
1. Try to cut down or at least stop building fast food restaurants.
2. Make more gyms that are cheap, or if possible free. |
|
TOPIC: Environment
Promote bicycling across the state. Increase the number of bike-lanes and bike friendly streets. Another way to promote bicycling as opposed to driving would be forcing drivers to take a test to renew their license, especially if they have several moving violations. Put bike lanes on all new roads. Install bike racks at major business areas. Promote city planning that is friendly to pedestrians and cyclists, rather than vehicles. |
|
TOPIC: Economic
I think that we as a state should lower taxes and provide other benefits to promote businesses with the goal of providing a better cleaner means of transportation. Inviting an inner state rail system, car companies that focus on low or no emissions, have benefits for companies that are searching for alternative fuels, and natural gas vehicles. Oklahoma was once the highest producing state in oil, lets be the leaders in the transportation industry again, lets make sure we will be known, not only for oil but the next "oil" what ever that might be. |
|
TOPIC: Education
With growing evidence that the arts can make significant contributions to students' learning and development, Oklahoma higher education students deserve a share of the rich cognitive benefits that the arts provide; college students could reap those benefits through an interdisciplinary, arts integrated core curriculum and classes. The work of the Oklahoma A+ program and arts integration schools have already made and continue to make significant strides in Oklahoma for primary and secondary education.
Through an arts integration initiative at Oklahoma City University, the institution seeks to be the first Oklahoma post-secondary institution to embrace the arts integration format in a formalized way. The format focuses on student learning and engagement as well as the practice of the scholarship of teaching and learning. The potential of arts integration for the expansion, and more particularly, the bridging of methods of pedagogy from the secondary to post-secondary education have reached a critical juncture and higher education institutions in Oklahoma have the opportunity to set a precedent for education across the nation.
An arts integration education has the potential for serving broad individual, social and economic goals; the cognitive benefits, attitudinal and behavioral benefits, health benefits, community-level social benefits and economic benefits research shows the arts have a significant impact at all educational levels.
J. Palladino, R. Reed
|
|
TOPIC: toll booths
after a toll road is payed for we should redirect a portion of the tolls to upkeeping the road and the rest to teacher pay. |
|
TOPIC: A Reformation in DHS Policy
For centuries the world has been awed by the ancient pyramids of Egypt, whose permanence is due almost entirely to the meticulous fashion in which their foundations were constructed. Any architect will tell you that this is the most vital part of any structure. In today’s culture, children are known to be our future, but are seldom recognized as the very groundwork upon which the pyramid of our society is built. Oklahomans today hold a great responsibility to offer hope and protection to these irreplaceable foundational blocks that will one day be the leaders of our great state. A key part in accomplishing this is a much needed reformation of our Department of Human Services policies.
As a current foster child, I have personally experienced many of the ups and downs of DHS. One of the most preeminent flaws in the existing policy is the assumption that all families are able to be reunified. This generic, once-size-fits-all approach simply cannot apply to all families. In some cases, children should in fact not return home due to the inability of the family as a whole to be emotionally functional. When this cookie cutter approach is taken, there is often great emotional scarring for the victims involved due to the psychologically unsafe environment to which they have returned. Each case should be handled individually, according to the needs of the family involved, rather than with a blanket-policy approach.
Oklahoma Department of Human Services’ Child Protective Services are as a whole incredibly understaffed as well. The Oklahoma Child Death Review Board 2006 Annual Report shows that Oklahoma’s child welfare workers and supervisors bear an active caseload that is two to three times larger than suggested by the Child Welfare League of America. The resources are extremely limited for families attempting to complete a DHS treatment plan also. Many counselors are not specifically trained to treat the various disorders and issues which families face and therefore may not be able to sufficiently correct the behaviors in question. It is imminent that we ensure that our children are being cared for sufficiently as individuals. Without enough qualified workers, this goal is impossible to reach.
It should be made a goal of each worker as well to explore other options in placements for children. The adjustment into foster care is difficult for any child, but kinship placements immensely help the children to adjust more easily and begin once again productively taking part in their every-day activities. In cases in which there is a guardian free from reproof, it is possible as well that rather than the child being displaced, that the perpetrator be removed from the home instead. This would allow the child to experience much less apprehension due to being sited in an unfamiliar atmosphere. This benefits child-welfare workers as well, leaving them more foster home openings for other children in which both guardians are in question.
I have had many superior experiences being in foster care; however, my position has allowed me to see what others may not see looking from the outside in. A revamping of the Department of Human Services is long overdue, and cannot stand to be pushed aside any longer, lest we lose even one more precious life to the tragedy of child abuse and neglect. In celebrating Oklahoma’s 100th year, we must look ahead to the future and find today whatever ways we may build these blocks, our children, to be strong for the Oklahoma of tomorrow.
|
|
TOPIC: Economic development
Our state must adjust its laws to make it desirable for businesses to incorporate here. We shouldn't offer tax breaks with sunset provisions. We have to fundamentally change our tax code so that our state becomes a desired haven for businesses.
|
|
TOPIC: Homeless Labor Protection
Oklahoma should be the first state to protect the homeless against labour exploitation. Marginalisation is no excuse for individuals and companies refusing to pay the homeless their due in-full for an honest day's work. They are extremely vulnerable to labour abuse (even more so that illegal immigrants) and deserve protection under law as US citizens. |
|
TOPIC: Homeless Shelters
Here's a revolutionary idea, build homeless shelters in neighbourhoods free of hard drugs. You can't make the assumption that the homeless live in areas infested with hard drugs because they inherently desire to purchase drugs. Many of them migrate into these areas because that's where the cities build shelters. If Oklahoma wants to successfully rehabilitate its homeless population back into civic society, we must first prevent the homeless from becoming victims of hard drug exploitation. |
|
TOPIC: education
I have been a teacher for over 20 years and continue to see and be concerned with the lack of parental support and involvement. Parents seem to send their children to school and expect everything from free breakfast and lunch, free school supplies, free tutoring, free pass for homework, free accountability, and free Christmas gifts! What exactly are the parent's responsibilities? When many of these wayward students get suspended or come in contact with authority the parents want to take issue with the school. I propose a family court and counseling unit at every school to deal with the lack of parent involvement and poor student behavior and performance. If a student is suspended the parent "MUST" participate even if mandated by a family court judge to undergo counseling, tutoring, parenting classes or whatever the case may require. Maybe parents will step up and assist in stopping these problems from occuring in the first place. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahomas Uninsured
Increasingly we hear about the vast numbers of Oklahomans without health coverage. One statistic that is always left out are the numbers of self employed Oklahomans who choose not insure their families. The decision may be related to cost or because there has always been someone there to pick up the tab. As example, I would point to one half of my family which is composed of truck drivers, carpenters and contractors none of whom have any form of health insurance. They,about 30 of them to be exact, have been and continue to be a key factor in the burden on our healthcare system, not to mention the amount of time they spend filling up the local emergency rooms. For most, the choice for insurance boils down to whether to buy the new Escalade or pay for insurance for their family; not whether to eat or buy insurance.
My proposal is this, that we utilize the benefit of the health care savings accounts and impose upon all self employed Oklahomans that they and their immediate family participate in either a HSA or other insurance plan in order to conduct business in the state. Yes, some would still need to be subsidized as with the high risk health insurance program the state offers but at a lower cost than medicare and other healthcare subsidies. Additionally, the incentive of being able to retain the unused portion of the HSA for retirement might get a few more folks to eat a salad rather than the Big Mac. |
|
TOPIC: Lower income weight loss clinics
This would be preventive health care type of program. Direct federal monies to setting up weight loss clinics for less affluent clientel. Programs could then be individually tailored using various diet tactics- different diet programs, excercise programs with the client being monitored - weighed in, counselled, atleast monthly by a dietician or RN. As an added incentive, members could join the weekly weight loss pool- buying in at a few dollars each- with the proceeds going to the winner(loser). Members would sign contracts of sorts not to cheat and/or use unhealthy methods of weight loss, under threat of expulsion. Clinics would offer more convienent hours of operation. |
|
TOPIC: Animal Control
It's no secret that the stray animal population in Oklahoma is out of control. Animal Shelters are packed full and under-funded, and strays roam the streets in EVERY Oklahoma town and city. Here are a few ideas to get that under control:
1. Issue a breeder's license for "pet" (canine and feline) animal breeders, and require registration of each litter. Tax every litter beyond a predetermined amount. Make it a crime punishable by fine to breed without a license or sell unregistered animals. Use the money gained from the license, the taxing, and the fines to help fund animal shelters and spaying/neutering programs.
2. Make all fees associated with the initial adoption, shots, and registration of a pet tax deductable, to promote this option over direct purchase from breeders.
3. Spay and Neuter ALL incoming animals into a shelter. To accomplish this, have local colleges' and universities' veterinary students perform the operations free of cost, as part of their curriculum, and earn college credit for it. For example, 3 hours of college credit toward their veterinary degree for every X number of spay/neuter operations performed. Make this service also open to privately owned pets at a minimal (and tax deductible) fee, and make the service known in the community.
4. Breeders caught and convicted of animal cruelty or abuse, or in excessive and regular violation of breeding licenses, taxation and registration, should permanently lose their right to breed and sell these animals.
5. An annual program should be presented to elementary age school children about the importance of pet adoption and pet responsibility, including proper treatment and spaying/neutering. This program could also be provided for free by vet students, and earn them partial college credit toward their degree. |
|
TOPIC: Concealed Carry on Campus
We need a state law voiding concealed-carry bans on university campuses. There are painfully too few campus police at any one given time for such a large area with so many buildings, and there are few places less secure than a college campus, with no surrounding fences or walls and many of the building left unlocked, even after hours.
The university campus should be treated like any other public area. Ask your local police chief how many violent crimes involving guns their have been in your city in the last ten years. Then, ask him how many of those involved a person with a concealed carry license.
The university of Utah allows concealed carry on their campus, and has never had an incident.
The fact is, the "bad guys" will always get guns, steal guns, or make guns, and will always bring guns to the place they intend to use them. "No Guns" signs don't keep criminals out, they only hinder law abiding citizens. Afterall, since when have criminals obeyed the laws? You will never keep guns out of the hands of killers, you can only even the odds by allowing good citizens to carry if they so choose.
If you insist on retaining the concealed-carry ban on campuses, then you should also build fences around campuses, and put metal detectors at every entrance. That's the only way to keep the "bad guys" from bringing guns in.
|
|
TOPIC: environement
Recently I was dumping some trash at a large landfill west of Sand Springs. Most of the Semi- tractor trucks unloading at the landfill were from out of state. Can we do something about people from others states using Oklahoma Landfills? |
|
TOPIC: government
When mineral rights are seperated from the surface rights the property taxes should be prorated between the two. |
|
TOPIC: Government
Legalize casino gambling in Okahoma. Why not? Why should the indian tribes get all the profits? |
|
TOPIC: Education
Get rid of most of the school buses in Oklahoma. With the obesity crisis in our children it seems counterproductive to prevent school kids from walking. |
|
TOPIC: energy
Establish incentives to run stripper oil wells with electrictiy generated by wind turbines located near the wells or oil fields. Stripper oil well production often uses more than one unit of power (in the form of electricity) to produce a unit of power in the form of hydrocarbons. The amount of electric power used in the oilfield to pump oil and dispose of saltwater is very large. By running these off of wind power this amount of coal burned to make electricity to run oil wells could be greatly reduced. Many stripper wells only run a few hours a day, so there would be little need to store much if any of the power. The wells would simply run when the wind blows. This seems to be something that could be endorsed by the oil industry as well as environmental interests. |
|
TOPIC: agriculture
Build a large agricultural irrigation district on land between the Verdigris and Grand River. There is plenty of good land and water in that area to make Oklahoma a large vegitable, orchard and horticultural crop producer. |
|
TOPIC: Energy
Let the Grand River Dam Authority sell bonds to the public to build wind turbines in appropriate locations in Okahoma. Anyone in the country interested in "green" investing could buy such an investment bond which would be managed by the GRDA (because of their experience managing electrical generation and distribution) or a similar state wind authority. I believe that a lot of money could be brought into Okahoma for such projects without much of an outlay by the state |
|
TOPIC: Voters awareness
Would it be safe to say, voters are mostly blind to all the issues that are under the main issue and get passed with most not realizing they may have voted blindly to thoses hidden issues? Would more voters be as clueless if they had daily access to tune in to their local government and watch it on tv like judge judy? imagine having an eye on them, making them more resonsible for our money, and more power to the poeple, and larger numbers of educated voters |
|
TOPIC: Economic Impact Analyses of Proposed Legislation
Legislation and changes in state rules and regulations may be requested by constituents, lobbyists, agencies, changing philsophy or in response to unfortunate events. Whatever its genesis, there is no question that changing state law will have an impact on someone. Recently in my hometown, the Grand River Dam Authority, an unappropriated agency and utility that manages Grand Lake o' the Cherokees, began the process of drafting a Shoreline Management Plan. They hired out-of-state consultants who had no experience with the Oklahoma economy and who had previously demonstrated hostility towards rural economic development in other SMPs they had prepared, stacked the "stakeholder committees" with anti-economic development members, and created an end product that would have devastated the Grand Lake economy. Although GRDA subsequently rewrote the plan to be more economic development friendly, it has not yet been approved. In the process, GRDA wasted almost a million dollars plus countless hours of volunteer time, squandered enormous amounts of good will in the Grand Lake community, and created such uncertainty about the final product that economic development has significantly slowed down. Had GRDA been required to perform an economic impact study of its proposed rules and regulation changes, much of this would have been avoided because they would have been forced to confront the failed proposal much earlier. And more than likely this is not an isolated event within state government. I, therefore, propose that proposed rules and regulation changes and all legislative actions require an economic impact statement before the matter can advance. The EIS would be prepared by staff and published along with the proposed rules, regs and legislation. Thank you for your consideration of my idea, and best wishes for a successful program.
|
|
TOPIC: Hunting Regulation
In order to improve the deer population, it would great if Oklahoma had regulations on the minimum number of points that bucks must have in order to be harvested. Perhaps 4 or more points on one side, (like Missouri's regulation). This would improve the bucks for Oklahoman's and increase tourism by drawing in out of state hunters. |
|
TOPIC: Domestic Security
Take the existing toll booths and develop them into nice rest stop areas with bathrooms, tourist information, and picnic areas (no more tolls). Include signage informing the public of how to reach a highway patrolman by cell phone in an emergency. Since the toll booths have cameras, maybe they could be utilized by the highway patrol in the fight against drugs, illegal aliens, missing children alerts, etc. They appear to be very effective in identifying and locating toll dodgers. The manpower used in staffing toll booths could be redirected to help with the management of the rest stops. Add the signs that can post amber alerts or weather alerts. Consider the possibility of the restrooms having a safe room. Identify and utilize any technology out there that can help fight crime. Set them up with the equipment that locks onto your car's speed so as to slow drivers down as they drove through them. Look into possible federal grants that might help with a project like this as it relates to safety and security for Oklahoma. If we need more truck stops and weigh stations for the trucks, this might be a good location. |
|
TOPIC: Centers for Independent Living
Presently there are five Federally funded Centers for Independent Living (CILs) that serve people with all types of disabilities in community settings by providing the five core services of advocacy, information and referral, peer support, independent skills training, and transitioning to community based living arrangments.
What makes CILs unique is that we are operated and controlled by people with disabilities. The majority of our Board of Directors and staff must be made up of people with disabilites. Therefore we put people to work, adding to our economy and assisting people to remain in community settings contributing to the local community.
Utilizing CILs in a larger capacity makes good sense for Oklahoma. CILs are not-for-profit, we are driven by the needs of our local disability community, we strive to increase the availability of community resources such as safe, accessible housing, transportation and personal care services. We coordinate services to assist the consumer in meeting their expressed goals; goals that they set for themselves.
I would like to host an "Idea Raiser" to encourage the State in Oklahoma in utilizing CILs in a much larger capacity.
Jeff Hughes |
|
TOPIC: Constitutional Convention
Constitutional convention to overhaul/ consolidate government.
Jason W. Murphey, Michael Bennett, Kathy Montgomery, Frank W. Davis, Wayne Elder |
|
TOPIC: County Government Management
County Government Management/Restructure:
Elected board to oversee one professional manager/supervisor to run county.
Jason W. Murphey, Michael Bennett, Kathy Montgomery, Frank W. Davis, Wayne Elder |
|
TOPIC: Road user taxes for roads!
Road user taxes for roads!
Jason W. Murphey, Michael Bennett, Kathy Montgomery, Frank W. Davis, Wayne Elder |
|
TOPIC: Scholarships for Oklahoma residents
Sell all universities endow and fund scholarships for Oklahoma residents.
Jason W. Murphey, Michael Bennett, Kathy Montgomery, Frank W. Davis, Wayne Elder |
|
TOPIC: Independend Redistricting Commission
Independent Redistricting Commission- Made of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents outside of the legislature.
Linda Scheihing, Ken Koch, Harvey Derrick, Linda Harris, John Wood |
|
TOPIC: Gifts from lobbyists
Legislative and state officials cannot receive gifts from lobbyist unless they "opt-in".
Linda Scheihing, Ken Koch, Harvey Derrick, Linda Harris, John Wood |
|
TOPIC: Citizen Incentives
Citizen Incentives:
a. Free lottery ticket for votes.
b. Tax reduction for voting.
Linda Scheihing, Ken Koch, Harvey Derrick, Linda Harris, John Wood |
|
TOPIC: Continue 100 Ideas
Make the 100 Ideas book the 1st edition and continue it each year.
Linda Scheihing, Ken Koch, Harvey Derrick, Linda Harris, John Wood |
|
TOPIC: No more unfunded mandates
No more unfunded mandates- if state government can't fund in full, don't levy the mandate, i.e. education raises, fuel tank replacement, DEQ/waste water.
LaVerne Dowding, Brian Pierson, Janna Pierson, Jon Gumerson, Mary Murphey |
|
TOPIC: Enhance business development
Enhance business development and retention-revise income/excise tax structure (both business and personal).
LaVerne Dowding, Brian Pierson, Janna Pierson, Jon Gumerson, Mary Murphey |
|
TOPIC: Consolidate university system
Consolidate university system to eliminate duplication of administrative expenses and facilities.
LaVerne Dowding, Brian Pierson, Janna Pierson, Jon Gumerson, Mary Murphey |
|
TOPIC: Road maintenance and fuel tax
Re-evaluate formula for road maintenance from fuel tax to balance population and use.
LaVerne Dowding, Brian Pierson, Janna Pierson, Jon Gumerson, Mary Murphey |
|
TOPIC: Plant trees
Plant 1 million trees by 2010 matching program.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: New home builders
New home builders should have to at least one existing tree per lot as well as add a new one when completed.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Incentives for conservation developments
Incentives for conservation developments.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Green space
Set aside percentage of public land for green space/ put in trust so never built on land.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Help develop more conservation trust
Help to develop more conservation trust in state i.e. Oklahoma Land Legacy...etc.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Green alternatives
Governement spec "green alternatives in bids and value based on present lost against long term benefits.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Using greener products
Businesses that uses greener products should be rewarded or given incentives.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Investment into Urban Forestry
Investment into Urban Forestry grants at state level $50,000 total.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Dept. of Environment
Cabinet position for Dept. of Environment or Cleanliness.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Do statewide environmental planning
Do statewide environmental planning- do watershed management.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Regional planning/zoning
Regional planning/zoning- county zoning, county planning commission.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Use fees
Use fees- Renovation of state parks we have GREAT natural areas, use earmark, use fees them.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Entertainment fee
Entertainment fee on recreation things that must go to beautification.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Corporate sponsorship for envirnoment funding
Corporate sponsorship for environment funding.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Tax credits for trash removal
Tax credits or similar incentives for businesses that focus/enforce trash removal, recycling.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Enforced fine for littering
Enforced fine for littering, increased fines back by city.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Increase litter fines
Increase litter fines to $1,000 enforce use fine dollar for clean up efforts.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Consolidate state property management
Consolidate state property management for achievement of larger management goals. ODAFF, ODWC, State Park.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: LANDSCAPE
Oklahoma is ranked third in the nation in plant diversity, and yet 98% of all of Oklahoma's landscaping projects rely on non-native plant material that requires excessive amounts of water and chemicals to maintain and turns this great state into a bland homogeneous sameness devoid of spirit and character. I would rather see Indian Blanket and Blazing Star than daylilies, Indian Grass rather than miscanthus, Cedar Elm rather than Lacebark Elm...
Imagine being able to drive around Oklahoma and enjoy its unique and amazing diversity right in our own cities and parks, at our rest stops, at public facilities across the state. It would be so nice for Oklahoma to look like Oklahoma so that visitors leave our state with a true sense of Oklahoma's beauty and unique character rather than using crape myrtle, nandina and holly like every other city in the nation.
I highly recommend developing a "Go Native!" landscaping campaign and asking organizations that issue grants for landscaping to develop plant lists based on great plant selections from our own backyard. |
|
TOPIC: Allow regional tax districts
Pay for stuff by initiating state statewide to allow regional tax districts.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: More recycling centers
More recycling centers throughout the state.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Recycling image
Recycling image from cities throughout the state that appeals to everyone.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Incentives for recycling
Incentives for recycling such as vouchers to grocery stores.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Reduce waste reuse bags
Reduce waste reuse bags for all products.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Deposit for bottles
Deposit for bottles and money back when turned in or tickets.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Implement sound ecology
Implement sound ecology as curriculum unit (in science and social studies).
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Recycling mini centers
Place recycling mini centers in heavy populated areas with returned vouchers for businesses.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Convenient trash cans
More convenient trash cans- at trash generators like fast food.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Make it easy to recycle
Make it easier to recycle (everywhere there is a trash can, put to recycle).
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Recycling containers in all public buildings
Require public buildings (i.e. airports, capitol, universities, public schools, etc.) to have recycle containers for paper/cans/food. (Education of public)
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Classes on how to beautify city
Offer classes to citizens on ways to beautify their city.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Teach recycling in schools
Teach recycling in schools- outdoor class rooms encourage recycling at OSU & OU.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Fix travel centers
Fix the travel centers: clean, inviting, more of them.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Work release programs to clean up highways
Clean up highways, lakes and public places every day. Work release programs.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: "Oklahoma Alligators" program
Mayor Dan O'Neil suggests a program for the road, they are hazardous to motorists, disposal issues. How about a number to call to report for clean up? (Like *55 for OHP) Also, check laws/regulations regarding penalties for truckers.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Better highways
Build better highways (New Mexico, Minnesota) beautification- don't rely solely on Federal dollars.
Carrie Temlinson, Mary Ann Karns, Nelma M. Karns, Amanda Bowen, Nico Brawdy, Saundra Naifeh |
|
TOPIC: Health- K-12
Health- Obesity with emphasis on K-12:
a. "Oklahoma Land Run Marathon" Puts focus on health and childhood obesity problems in Oklahoma. Marathon would rival Boston Marathon for media attention. Would start on same time/date and place as original Oklahoma Land Run.
b. Oklahoma legislative mandated physical education and nutrition courses in K-12 curriculum statewide.
James Trapp, T.J. McClure, Russell Bass, Michael Cich, Jonathan Edelson, David Porter, David Yellin, Keegan Davis |
|
TOPIC: Statewide RHIO
State Wide R.H.I.O (Regional Healthcare Information Organization) communicate all healthcare over and through in internet.
Calvin Anthony, John Fernandes, Linda Anthony, Justin Wilson, Joe Alexander, Kent Sampson |
|
TOPIC: Create "first impression zones"
Create "first impression zones" on each entry into Oklahoma on major highways (I-35; I-40).
Craig Williams, Selby Bush, Dana Davis, Deano Cox, Robin Mairoe |
|
TOPIC: Streamline government
Streamline state and county government.
a. Down significantly the number of counties.
b. Down significantly the number of school districts- 1 per county.
c. Down the number elected county officials to 3.
Court Newkirk, Mary Eichinger, John Purcell, Charles Middleton, Sylvia Burgess, Cody Holt |
|
TOPIC: Consolidated Rail System
Development of a consolidated rail system that would connect all economic centers in the state.
James Wall, Jeff Coody, Chuck Mason |
|
TOPIC: Tourism: Rest Stops
Tourism: Rest stops- We have tons to offer we should showcase and decorate the trip.
Herbert Bridges, Gene Bridges, Dede Armes, Carter Waid, Don Barrington, Ed Jantzeh
|
|
TOPIC: Eliminate court system
Eliminate court system for workers compensation.
Jim Beavers, Charles Buxton, Bruce Schutte, Todd Rolland, Terry Cupp |
|
TOPIC: Go Green
Go Green:
-Paving roads with recycled tires.
-Address light pollution
-Statewide mandatory recycling (funded by itself)
Stephanie Updike, Keven Rondot, JeEllen Clow, Kim Salgado, Ed Huckeby |
|
TOPIC: Green Business
Green Business: Incent GB and construction by increasing taxes on solid waste disposal/program run by IZE. Re-instate Auto Inspection Program.
Alan Parnell, Julie Miner, Jeff Faust, Kelli Sowell, Nancy Robbins, Court Newkirk |
|
TOPIC: Constitutional Convention
Constitutional Convention!
Alan Parnell, Julie Miner, Jeff Faust, Kelli Sowell, Nancy Robbins, Court Newkirk |
|
TOPIC: Development of roads
Innovative development of raods and infrastructure with an emphasis on private development.
Tammy Fate, Gary King, Randy Swearengin, Tim Edwardson, Bland Pittman, Brooks Pittman |
|
TOPIC: Rest stops
Build restrooms at rest stops.
Tammy Fate, Gary King, Randy Swearengin, Tim Edwardson, Bland Pittman, Brooks Pittman
|
|
TOPIC: Term Limits
For the sake of retaining the continuity and "institutional memory" necessary to run state government, consider repealing, or at least reconsidering and reworking legislative term limits. |
|
TOPIC: Tourism
We should streamline our state's tourism and commerce departments. Curently there is one cabinet position for these two functions of geovenment, yet there are two separate agencies with thier own marketing divisions. The state should at a minimum consider merging the two marketing divisions and should take a look at combining all functions of these two agencies.
This would provide a more fiscally responsible oversight of where the state’s money goes toward marketing itself and it would provide ‘one voice’ with which to market Oklahoma both inside and outside of the state.
This ‘one voice’ would provide messages that promote Oklahoma as both a tourism and business opportunity as opposed to separate messages that may otherwise never overlap.
|
|
TOPIC: the overweight problem
When i look around at my community there are so many overweight people . We have no p.e class at our schools ,too many people are chosing fast food , and every day the cafeteria serves pizza and french fries . I think we should have a required p.e class k-12 , at least try to have some form of healthy food in the schools , and promote healthy eating habits. |
|
TOPIC: Air Transportation
As a very frequent traveler I have experienced the difficulty of finding convenient direct flights to many cities across North America. When flying to area's outside of the specific region, you must connect with flights in various regional hubs. It not only is inconvenient, but also a difficult situation to accomodate when planning as typically you must travel the day before in order to accomodate the next days meetings. I have spoken with many other travelers and they experience the same difficulty. Many companies will not consider Oklahoma for headquarters, regional offices, manufacturing etc. because of the difficulty, the time and expense associated with air travel in and out of Oklahoma.
I would suggest that we revise our policies regarding how we charge airlines for the use of hte airport and provide for them an incentive to make it as painless for them to have originating flights to major hubs outside of the region. We could do this through a reimbursement for air traveler flights and possible mileage flown. Create an incentive that is based upon improvements and increased revenue they experience as a result of new direct destinations.
Not only would this enable better air travel for us as consumers, but also eliminate an obstacle for companies considering doing business in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: welfare
Welfare money should be available for one child per mother. No additional money or assistance available for subsequent children. Make it clear to mothers and their representatives/guardians that no assistance will be given for more than one child.
Provide birth control information and options to the mother at first contact with the welfare system or at the birth of the first child.
Wellfare assistance for one child only. |
|
TOPIC: Natural Heritage
Oklahoma has some of the largest areas of unplowed sod, as well as ancient forests, in the entire union. These pristine resources need to be appreciated, understood, and protected. Oklahoma needs to provide incentives for keeping these resources intact. I also suggest that Oklahoma consider a designation of land such as "State Natural Landmark" to its Park system, which seeks to preserve some of the most precious and endangered parts of its natural heritage. |
|
TOPIC: HOV lane
HOV/carpool lane on the highways that we are already expanding.
Aixa Rodriquez, Justin Janacek, Crystal Horn, Jason Guiddy |
|
TOPIC: School uniforms
Schools should have uniforms up until college. Less focus on clothing and more focus on learning.
Morgan Marr, Trey Robberson, Donesha Brawner, Megan Johnson |
|
TOPIC: Random teacher evaluations
Have random teacher/class evaluations, done by an administrator to be sure materials are being presented correctly.
Morgan Marr, Trey Robberson, Donesha Brawner, Megan Johnson |
|
TOPIC: Fix roads and bridges
Fix all old, worn out roads and bridges and be efficient in the process (ex: one at a time, limit traffic delays).
Morgan Marr, Trey Robberson, Donesha Brawner, Megan Johnson |
|
TOPIC: Short-term inusrance
Short-term insurance government policy for families of the incarcerated or deceased.
Casey Shrieves, Ashley Sutton, Jonathan Mannis, Jeremy Wright, John Millsap, Bryce Hubbard, Ramon Hernandez |
|
TOPIC: Government assistance for new businesses
Assistance from the government for people interested in starting new businesses.
Casey Shrieves, Ashley Sutton, Jonathan Mannis, Jeremy Wright, John Millsap, Bryce Hubbard, Ramon Hernandez |
|
TOPIC: Professional football
To attract a professional football team to Oklahoma within the next 15 years.
Casey Shrieves, Ashley Sutton, Jonathan Mannis, Jeremy Wright, John Millsap, Bryce Hubbard, Ramon Hernandez |
|
TOPIC: No child left behind
No child left behind: Schools funded equally not based on test scores.
Jessica McClure, Megan Boydston, Emily Fellard, Aubree Roberts, Megan Pilcher, Chendra Turner |
|
TOPIC: Contracts
Contracts: Allow a certain number of days to pull out of a contract. (ex. At the Beach doesn't allow you to get out of a contract).
Jessica McClure, Megan Boydston, Emily Fellard, Aubree Roberts, Megan Pilcher, Chendra Turner |
|
TOPIC: More community centers
More community centers for our children. We need to be more involved with our children by using the fund from the lottery to build more facilities for our children to be involved.
Jessica McClure, Megan Boydston, Emily Fellard, Aubree Roberts, Megan Pilcher, Chendra Turner |
|
TOPIC: Recruit honorary council generals
Recruit honorary council generals. Identify business experts doing business with particular countries and recommend them for position of honorary council generals.
Britton Langdon, Shane Jett, Ana Jett, Peter Ogego, Shalon Simmons |
|
TOPIC: Recruit consulates to Oklahoma
Recruit consulates to Oklahoma as well as build World Trade Center with federal funds.
Britton Langdon, Shane Jett, Ana Jett, Peter Ogego, Shalon Simmons |
|
TOPIC: Economic Development, Trade
Recruit global coffee industry to Oklahoma to utilize the advantages of warehouse and distribution (taxes, cost of distribution, etc.)
Britton Langdon, Shane Jett, Ana Jett, Peter Ogego, Shalon Simmons |
|
TOPIC: Pensions and Retirement
The state's six public employee pension plans must move from a defined benefit to a defined contribution plan. Legislation has been introduced for several years to do this, even Governor Brad Henry’s 2004 budget proposed to convert the current defined benefit retirement plan into a defined contribution plan for our state's teachers. A defined contribution plan is similar to 401(k) or 403(b) plan, where an employer might agree to contribute a specified dollar amount to an employee’s private retirement plan.
Oklahoma's state pension systems are in a serious financial crisis with more than $10 billion in unfunded liabilities, according to a recent report from the Oklahoma Pension Oversight Commission. The state Teachers' Retirement System is in particularly bad shape with $7.1 billion in unfunded liabilities and a ratio of actuarial assets to actuarial liabilities of only 49.5 percent. It is the third worst-funded public pension system in the nation. Standard & Poor's recently ranked Oklahoma's pension funds 49 out of 50 states in percentage of unfunded liabilities. Only West Virginia fared worse. |
|
TOPIC: Criminal Justice
Require confined rehabilitation for batterers/abusers for the purpose of learning useful social, coping, and employment skills, counseling, and anger management, in order to achieve safety and peace of mind for victims and their children. Perhaps a ranch setting with barricks. |
|
TOPIC: International Trade
Deliberate study and education of Oklahoma people on the different cultural, linguistic, geographical, and religious diversities of the world, in order to know what products are needed to be introduced to the different places.
Britton Langdon, Shane Jett, Ana Jett, Peter Ogego, Shalon Simmons |
|
TOPIC: Economic Development
List the products in surplus...competitive advantages.
Evan Paki, Rev. Samuel Olanrewaju, Dr. Zia Ahmed |
|
TOPIC: Offering competitive investment incentives
Offering competitive investment incentives to international investors and manufacturers advantages.
Evan Paki, Rev. Samuel Olanrewaju, Dr. Zia Ahmed |
|
TOPIC: Branding of Made in Oklahoma products
Branding of Made in Oklahoma products at international level through conferences, seminars, fairs, exhibition and marketing.
Evan Paki, Rev. Samuel Olanrewaju, Dr. Zia Ahmed |
|
TOPIC: Economic Development, Trade
Trade missions to foreign capitals to enable prospective international partners to know more about what OK offers to the world.
Evan Paki, Rev. Samuel Olanrewaju, Dr. Zia Ahmed |
|
TOPIC: Promote international education
Oklahoma to promote more economic internationally focused programs and initiatives aimed at increasing international education and international education and international awareness of OK products.
Evan Paki, Rev. Samuel Olanrewaju, Dr. Zia Ahmed |
|
TOPIC: Develop center for import & distribution
Develop center for import & distribution for some international producers. In reverse, gather local producers for export from small local producers.
HRH King Joseph DuBois, Ray Doonkeen, Rick Maloney, Stephanie Herren, Larry Edwards, Patrick Mulcahy |
|
TOPIC: Produce commercials promoting Oklahoma
Produce commercials promoting Oklahoma as gateway to US Market with multiple languages and run.
HRH King Joseph DuBois, Ray Doonkeen, Rick Maloney, Stephanie Herren, Larry Edwards, Patrick Mulcahy |
|
TOPIC: Local UN international Reps in Oklahoma
Local UN International Reps in Oklahoma so international business can be done on a daily, personal basis.
a. Booth at Nairobi Trade Show...state, history, culture, oil.
b. Satellite-advertise our educational opportunities internationally via satellite.
Shannon Hodges, Shailesh Patel, Dwain Baker, Patrice Baker |
|
TOPIC: Native American Cultural Center
Native American Cultural Center.
a. Highlighting internationally our state's history.
b. Native American villages. Handcrafted items. Exporting Native American art, crafts, etc.
c. I-40 & I-35 meet...have a Native American village there. Aimed to families.
Shannon Hodges, Shailesh Patel, Dwain Baker, Patrice Baker |
|
TOPIC: Provide leadership
Provide leadership and establish country relationship...Oklahoma & Africa.
Beatrice Williams, James M. Kiiru, Roy Peters, Elijah Adeoye, Rwamukwaya Jean Daniel |
|
TOPIC: Brand Oklahoma as a pro-business state
Branding Oklahoma as a most attractive state to do business in the US.
a. Plenty of land.
b. Low cost of doing business.
c. Port of Catoosa.
d. Labor/work ethic.
Beatrice Williams, James M. Kiiru, Roy Peters, Elijah Adeoye, Rwamukwaya Jean Daniel |
|
TOPIC: Strengthening marriages through tax credits
Provision of marriage and family opportunities to strengthen units with tax credits for participating in marriage and family building opportunities-- this will provide more stable communities, reliable work force and an attractive quality of life.
Chaplain Gregory Leo Pierce, Kim Pierce, Bill Renfro, Donna Barteaux, Bruce Barteaux |
|
TOPIC: Partnering faith community with social services
A partnering of the faith community with the state social services in helping individuals navigate the system thus reducing health care costs through early intervention.
Chaplain Gregory Leo Pierce, Kim Pierce, Bill Renfro, Donna Barteaux, Bruce Barteaux |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety & Insurance
Impound vehicles without valid driver's license &/or insurance verification.
Ken Ray, Rep. Ken Luttrell, David Pennington, D. W. Boyd |
|
TOPIC: Tourism
Oklahoma version of "Opry Land". Retain and highlight Oklahoma talent.
Karen Brown, Lowell LeFebvre, Diane Anderson |
|
TOPIC: Finance & Taxes
Retain Oklahoma kids for jobs in Oklahoma. If they stay- free college education with multi-year commitment to make it easier to provide avenues for businesses to pay better wages. Could give tax incentives, bonuses, etc.
Karen Brown, Lowell LeFebvre, Diane Anderson |
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Infrastructure- improve state and county roads to help increase economic development in rural areas. Utilize DOC inmates to work crews- reducing cost to state- give them training and skills post-release. ODOT & County employees.
Karen Brown, Lowell LeFebvre, Diane Anderson |
|
TOPIC: Natural Resources & Environment
Explore alternative fuels; harness wind; chicken poop/fat.
Karen Brown, Lowell LeFebvre, Diane Anderson |
|
TOPIC: Welfare
Current social safety net needs complete overhaul. Truly needy! Children!
Homer Nicholson, Ron Armstrong, Kelly Johnson, Debbie Robinson, Rich Cantillon |
|
TOPIC: Finance and Taxes
Upgrade all roads and bridges funded by additional fuel excise tax.
Homer Nicholson, Ron Armstrong, Kelly Johnson, Debbie Robinson, Rich Cantillon |
|
TOPIC: Natural Resources and Environment
Comprehensive water management plan funded by developing corp lakes.
Homer Nicholson, Ron Armstrong, Kelly Johnson, Debbie Robinson, Rich Cantillon |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
Research has told me that in the 1970's-80's during the United States' energy crisis, the speed limits on highways and interstates were reduced in order to save energy. I feel that with rising gas prices, the speed limits should once again be reduced, to 65 on the interstates and 60 on state highways. This speed limit reduction, along with saving energy, would also reduce fatalities as a result of accidents and accidents in general. Many accidents could be avoided, I believe, with a speed limit reduction. Also, a reduced speed at impact in the event of an accident would reduce fatalities and serious injury. I believe that reducing speed limits in Oklahoma would be beneficial to everyone on the road and help ensure a safer second century for our great state. |
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Need a rural transportation system.
Homer Nicholson, Ron Armstrong, Kelly Johnson, Debbie Robinson, Rich Cantillon |
|
TOPIC: Workers Comp Reform
Workers Comp Reform- Emulate policy of business friendly states to increase business retention and expansion.
Laura Corff, Amie Huster, Molly Kyler, Paul Kyler |
|
TOPIC: Welfare
Food stamps- restrict cash withdraws and where you can use them.
Laura Corff, Amie Huster, Molly Kyler, Paul Kyler |
|
TOPIC: Domestic Security
Require confined rehabilitation for domestic violence batterers/abusers for the purpose of learning useful social and employment skills and counseling. Victims and their children can then remain in their homes with some bit of stability, improved emotional security, and safety. |
|
TOPIC: Health Care
There needs to be a way to provide healthcare to everyone but my particular interest is in the mentally disabled community.
There are a lot of individuals who due to a physical or mental disability who are unable to work a full-time job with medical benefits and yet the Social Security system does not consider them disabled because they haven't needed to be hospitalized or just because they are able to work some.
These individuals often have a lot of difficulty holding a "regular" job and need special accomodations at the workplace such as: flexible schedules for when they are not well enough to work or extra supervision.
These individuals must use the emergency rooms or free clinics when available. They do not have access to high quality healthcare because they cannot pay for it.
Uninsured individuals with disabilities, whether they be adults or children, cost the state healthcare system more if they are uninsured than it would cost to provide them with adequate coverage. When these individuals are unable to get proper medication to treat their illness or whatever the cause of their disability they often end up in the emergency room or in the case of the mentally ill they often end up in the correctional system. |
|
TOPIC: Littering Campaign
It baffles me why Oklahomans litter so much. I've traveled through the 50 states and Oklahoma has more litter along the roadsides than most. Oklahoma is a very pretty state. Teaching students about keeping Oklahoma clean and beautiful should be in the curriculum.
A "contest" among counties or towns/cities to have the least litter could be held annually with a big to-do in conjunction with the Oklahoma Land Run/ Arts and Craft Festival. Something to create an awareness and citizens caring enough that it matters or feel guilty about throwing trash and garbage out onto public land. Right now, litters don't care and that's sad. |
|
TOPIC: State Income Tax
We need to completely eliminate the state income tax, all forms of income tax. We should adopt a consumption tax, like the Fair Tax, which is currently in the House Ways and Means Committee in Congress. Other states have a consumption tax instead of the income tax and prosper because of it. However those taxes still have some problems which have been resolved by the Fair Tax. Look at fairtax.com for a more complete explanation. |
|
TOPIC: Sell state owned land
Sell the state owned lands (surface only).
The ability to provide 700,000+ acres of taxable land would be a good position. Additionally, the money received could be "lock boxed" and administered by the State Treasurer.
Several bi-partisan Task Forces have recommended the sale- one even included the sale of the accompanying mineral rights. |
|
TOPIC: Beautification Fundraiser
10-10-07
Just a thought:
I recently purchased a wonderful 1896 home and noticed 2 dead trees at the east end of the block. Their branches were cut off and the trees had hollowed out spots just barely clinging to life.They are a termite danger to the other homes on the block and a neighborhood eyesore. Then I noticed that these kinds of semi-living and dead trees abound all over the city. It really makes these areas look run down. So...
Since these trees are in the easement between the sidewalk and the street and the owner has to mow and maintain the easement, the city should offer their services to come and chop down these trees for a fee. This fee can be used to defray costs as well as buy and plant new trees to beautiful the neighborhoods.
What citizen wouldn't want a discount tree removal and planting if the city can get wholesale pricing?
...Thus a beautification fundraiser.
jms |
|
TOPIC: Domestic Security
Re-evalute the practice of putting sensitive information on web-based applications. I fear we have set ourselves up for some very serious consequences should the Internet be attacked. My concerns are in many areas including, but not limited to, public safety, public utilities, transportation, financial data, personal identifying information, health records, and communication.
The Internet is a wonderful source for information and communication, however, it is not the place I would want anything that had to do with security or confidential data. Have we jumped in too fast and put too much out there? Can we support the level of expertise that is needed to keep our information secure? Is it too late to reconsider and remove sensitive data?
I would suggest that we organize a group of experts to advise us on this issue. We need to know what alternatives are out there. Then I would hope that we would put security/confidentiality at the top of our list when investing into any future computer software/applications and make any necessary adjustments to what we currently have in place. |
|
TOPIC: Renter's Rights
The Oklahoma State Bill of Renter's rights needs to be revised and made more apparent and available to the public. Too many landlords and property companies are taking advantage of rents with no consequences. For example, its nearly impossible to recieve your security deposit back. Upon moving out, the apartment complex has a list of "necessary cleaning and repairs" that are intentionally designed to eat up your entire deposit, whether or not your apartment needs them. For example, they will claim that they had to steam clean and shampoo your carpet, clean every surface, and repaint the walls...which cost them exactly $X... whatever your security deposit was. However, if you attempt to hire your own cleaning crew to fulfill their requirements, or do the work yourself, they will decline...and STILL perform the same duties and charge the same price...whether or not they are necessary. When asked to produce reciepts verifying the costs of cleaning, they will decline.
The apartment should be FORCED to provide renters with itemized reciepts detailing the work that was done, the contractors who performed the work, what money was spent where, and contact information for the contractor so that the renter can independantly verify the prices. Also, prices should be consistent between similar units of the same complex.
Also, under the current renter's rights, if something essential is broken (for example, the AC), the landlord has 14 days to fix it after you report it. First, 14 days in the middle of summer without AC or a fridge is hell. Then, after 14 days, you have the option to terminate your lease. Wow...great option. Many renters cannot afford to terminate their lease, pay for a moving van, pay a NEW deposit on a new apartment, even if they do find one available in the middle of the leasing period. There is another option: the renter can call a repairment to fix the problem after the 14 days, and then pass the bill on to the landlord, but the renter can only do this up to $100. Most essential items cannot be fixed for under $100!
There needs to be another option: After a certain allotted time, say seven days, the landlord must pro-rate each day without the working essential off of your next month's rent. This will create an incentive for the landlord to get the essential fixed, and ease the burden on the renter. |
|
TOPIC: all of Oklahoma
One:
Trust and believe in GOD
Two:
Get a better Transit System. People want to work but because you are so greedy and you feel it is more money in the insurance scam than there are in the people you do not have a twenty-four hour bus system. You do not realize that if a person can get to work using the bus system, especially those that work 3pm-11pm and 11pm-7am, maybe just maybe, in the near future they will be able to afford a car to which they will have to have insurance, so stop hindering and enabling people, help the people of Tulsa instead.
Three:
I am a student at Tulsa Community College majoring in Business Administration with hopes of transferring to either Northeastern, Langston or Oklahoma State University and I had the privilege to work in the TU book store. While working there I saw the different team members get their books and I began to wonder, where do they go after graduation or even before graduation especially if they love the sport because this state is not a part of the Nationa Football League or the National Basketball Association or any other League, like Hockey, for that matter, so why not join the National Leagues and instead of people leaving Tulsa to go to Dallas to see the Cowboys, people from Dallas will come to Tulsa to see the Talons (which is a pretty good team and they would do even better if they had better opposition) and this will serve two fold because you want people to come to Tulsa and see what Tulsa have to offer.
Finally:
Stop being so busy trying to keep you and yours from them and theirs. So I ask you who is stronger of the two? Especially if you believe in GOD, and you can't believe in GOD if you are afraid to venture pass your own herizon. GOD blessed me to live in a lot of different places and there was one things I came to realize and that is; It was never the place it was always the people.
|
|
TOPIC: income tax and the environment
Abolish state income tax. To compensate, raise sales tax on non-essentials, and impose an additional tax on high-priced luxury items, especially those that are environmentally unfriendly (ie: low mileage, high emission vehicles that are not being used for public purposes such as mass transit or student tansport).
Such vehicles being used for commercial or industrial purposes SHOULD be included in the tax, as this will provide an incentive to commercial and industrial interests to invest in higher milage, lower emission alternatives. |
|
TOPIC: Improve recycling
Improve recycling by offering more areas for apartment dwellers to recycle. In cities more local areas for drop off, maybe utilizing school areas. Recycling bins provided to residents could have slots for each type of material to be picked up. This would keep employees from having to sort the recycle materials.
Gary & Brenda Spangler, Jeannie Abts |
|
TOPIC: Synchronizing traffic signals
Synchronizing Traffic Signals:
a. Considering the increasing number of Oklahoma's "Ozone Alert" days, as well as the increasing price of fuel, I believe we can lower air pollution, save fuel and time, and lower motorist exasperation by better synchronizing our traffic signals to better expedite the flow of our cities' traffic. (How many times have we driven on a main artery, only to have to stop each and every block for, many times, no crossing traffic at all).
b. In many U.S. cities traffic flow is continually monitored and traffic signal timing is adjusted accordingly. It seems in this day of computers, satellites, GPS, etc., we can do a lot better using our signals to expedite rather than to impede the flow of our cities' traffic.
Gary & Brenda Spangler, Jeannie Abts |
|
TOPIC: Develop facilities for the elderly
Need to expand and develop facilities for the aging.
Francie Russell, Dean Dull, Trey Swan, Brenda Wyskup |
|
TOPIC: Tax incentive program to attract new businesses
Tax incentive program to attract new business to the state. Ex: Choctaw
Francie Russell, Dean Dull, Trey Swan, Brenda Wyskup |
|
TOPIC: Disclose the direction of our tax dollars
Have a website to show us where our tax dollars are going.
Francie Russell, Dean Dull, Trey Swan, Brenda Wyskup |
|
TOPIC: Develop mass transit system
Develop a mass transit system connecting OKC & Tulsa & other bedroom communities. Will save gas, roads, etc.
Francie Russell, Dean Dull, Trey Swan, Brenda Wyskup |
|
TOPIC: Eliminate sales tax on groceries
Eliminate sales tax on groceries.
Francie Russell, Dean Dull, Trey Swan, Brenda Wyskup |
|
TOPIC: Combine state retirement systems
Combine all state retirement systems i.e. F.D., P.D., School systems, etc. Reference state of Alabama.
Ron Bradshaw, Forrest Claunch, Dave Herbert, Turner Mann |
|
TOPIC: No change to tax codes
No change to tax codes for 5 years and no cuts until all retirement systems and mandated programs are fully funded.
Jim McCharen, Kevin Berrt, Terry Underwood, Harold Baade, Randy Ross |
|
TOPIC: Maintain budget for education
Maintain percentage of state budget for education at a minimum base line.
Jim McCharen, Kevin Berrt, Terry Underwood, Harold Baade, Randy Ross |
|
TOPIC: Lottery money distributed per pupil
Lottery money taken out of the state education formula and distributed on a per pupil basis.
Jim McCharen, Kevin Berrt, Terry Underwood, Harold Baade, Randy Ross |
|
TOPIC: Fund education mandates
Prevent new tax cuts until unfunded/under funded education mandates are fully funded as legislatively written.
Jim McCharen, Kevin Berrt, Terry Underwood, Harold Baade, Randy Ross |
|
TOPIC: Funding for infrasturcture needs
Dedicate percent of spill over & excess rainy day funds to a special trust fund to be used to fund buildings & other infrastructure needs. Percentage to be used to fund under funded retirement systems.
Jim McCharen, Kevin Berrt, Terry Underwood, Harold Baade, Randy Ross |
|
TOPIC: Taxidermy
Taxidermy:
a. Allow taxidermist to sell mounts not paid for after 1 year.
b. Allow private individuals to sell their mounts without fines.
Julie Farmer, Sharon Moore, Leisa Haynes |
|
TOPIC: Better transit and early childhood education
Better transit:
a. Should create jobs & help families with lower travel expenses.
b. Use Kansas City as an example.
Early childhood education:
a. T1 as an example.
b. Choctaw doesn't have T1 this year.
Julie Farmer, Sharon Moore, Leisa Haynes |
|
TOPIC: List how much each school gets from the lottery
Lottery: list how much each school is getting. How much Oklahoma is making from it. How much has been won in Oklahoma.
Julie Farmer, Sharon Moore, Leisa Haynes |
|
TOPIC: Increase teacher pay
Increase teacher pay & security of them.
Julie Farmer, Sharon Moore, Leisa Haynes |
|
TOPIC: Pass sidewalk voter approval legislation
Pass sidewalk voter approval legislation change constitution from 60% approval requirement for sidewalk projects to simple majority.
Eric Bradshaw, Roger D. Malone, Larry Hopper |
|
TOPIC: State income tax credit for small businesses
State income tax credit for small schedule C businesses for start up with cap and a maximum credit limit.
Eric Bradshaw, Roger D. Malone, Larry Hopper |
|
TOPIC: Region utility authorities
Region utility authorities to help develop infrastructure sewer/water consolidates resources would create more money available for infrastructure upkeep and expansion.
Eric Bradshaw, Roger D. Malone, Larry Hopper |
|
TOPIC: Keep young people in Oklahoma
Keep young people in Oklahoma, don't let them be lured out by other states. Grow our own- Keep our own.
Denna Lay, Tracy Mosley, Alisha Jones, Judith Eaton |
|
TOPIC: Make State attractive to new businesses
Make state more attractive to new businesses. Not just to focus on OKC or Tulsa, but for whole state. reduce or eliminate state tax, eliminate sales tax on certain items.
Denna Lay, Tracy Mosley, Alisha Jones, Judith Eaton |
|
TOPIC: Cut down less trees when building new additions
Try to cut down less trees or vegetation when building new housing additions or make them replant when finished. Tax incentives/rebates.
Denna Lay, Tracy Mosley, Alisha Jones, Judith Eaton |
|
TOPIC: State pride
Place a patch depicting our state flag on all jerseys and uniforms of our state college's and universities. |
|
TOPIC: Child behavior
One of the biggest problems for educators is the student who has so many problems they must see a counselor, physiologist, or even be hospitalized.
Invariably, even if the child benefits from these professionals they return to a home that has been dysfunctional and before long the child ends up returning to their original state of mind.
My suggestion is to train persons at a very high degree to enter these homes for three-four weeks to train the parents and other siblings how to function in society. This would be parents towards children, and sibling towards each other.
These trainers would then make return trips to check the family progress.
These trainers could be assigned by judges, district attorneys, and DHS staff working hand-in-hand with the school district. |
|
TOPIC: land tax
Abolish the land tax on residential plots and small family farms. Retain the tax on business property and large-scale profit-oriented farming and ranching operations. Residential home owners don't make money on their land, nor do small family farms that don't make a profit from their production, but merely support themselves. If the land owner is not using it for business/commercial purposes, or making a substantial growing profit from their land, they should not be required to pay a land tax on it... which is basically renting land you already own. This creates alot of hardship on small family farmers who own more land than residential home owners, yet typically have lower incomes. |
|
TOPIC: Domestic Security
All non-private fallout shelters (those beneath public buildings, or buildings paid for, mantained by tax dollars) should be inspected annually, and kept in working condition. There should be standardized inspection criteria, and if a shelter fails, the building's maintanance staff should have to bring it up to code immediately. We need to keep these shelters operable, because the moment we need them... it'll be too late. |
|
TOPIC: Alternative Energy
Investments in alternative energy, such as buying solar panels or windmills for one's home, should be tax deductible. People should be encouraged to make such investments, and should not have to bear the burden while helping those around them. Vehicle conversion to biofuels, electric, or hybrid should not be tax deductable, but limited tax credits should be given. Purchases or new or used alternative fuel vehicles should also not be deductible, but limited tax credits should still be given. |
|
TOPIC: Higher Education
Any initiative which requires raising tuition should be voted on by those that pay tuition: enrolled students. The enrolled student body should have the final decision over any initiative that raises tuition, which can be carried out like any other city voting, only each student's vote is weighted based on the number of credit hours they are carrying, thus students paying more tuition have a higher say than those paying minimal tuition. In this way, the board members cannot build monuments to themselves, or pass state/private costs on to students. If an initiative is voted down, the board can still raise money for the initiative through fundraising and outside donors. |
|
TOPIC: Roads
I see a dangerous trend in road repair. It's no secret we have some of the worst roads in the country, but what I see is a cheap, quick fix: Asphalt.
Asphalt warps under heat and pressure. It distorts, cracks, and fractures under cold and freezing. It has to be repaired and replaced every five years or so! Why do we use it? I'll tell you why I think... because its a petroleum product. I never saw as much asphalt being used before the Bush administration came to power, but that's another debate for another time.
Look at any state with nice roads....what are they made of? Concrete! Concrete lasts longer, is stronger, looks better, and has the following advantages, which are documented:
1. reflects better than asphalt, requiring less lighting and improving visibility at night
2. not affected by petroleum products
3. reflects summer heat, whereas asphalt absorbs it
4. Competitive intial costs and virtually maintenance free
5. Resists deformation of ruts and deep depressions
Sure, it might cost you more to lay it, but in the long run, the cost of asphalt is FAR greater, with all the repairs.
"Concrete parking lots are environmentally friendly too! Due to its light color, concrete stays cooler than other paving materials. This means lower ambient air temperatures, less air pollution, and cooler, cleaner stormwater runoff. Concrete pavements are also a key element of the Cool Communities movement." -rinkermaterials.com
This site has LOTS of documentation on why concrete is safer, cheaper, and BETTER than asphalt: http://www.pavement.com/Concrete_Pavement/Technical/Downloads/QDs.asp |
|
TOPIC: Roads
I see a dangerous trend in road repair. It's no secret we have some of the worst roads in the country, but what I see is a cheap, quick fix: Asphalt.
Asphalt warps under heat and pressure. It distorts, cracks, and fractures under cold and freezing. It has to be repaired and replaced every five years or so! Why do we use it? I'll tell you why I think... because its a petroleum product. I never saw as much asphalt being used before the Bush administration came to power, but that's another debate for another time.
Look at any state with nice roads....what are they made of? Concrete! Concrete lasts longer, is stronger, looks better, and has the following advantages, which are documented:
1. reflects better than asphalt, requiring less lighting and improving visibility at night
2. not affected by petroleum products
3. reflects summer heat, whereas asphalt absorbs it
4. Competitive intial costs and virtually maintenance free
5. Resists deformation of ruts and deep depressions
Sure, it might cost you more to lay it, but in the long run, the cost of asphalt is FAR greater, with all the repairs.
"Concrete parking lots are environmentally friendly too! Due to its light color, concrete stays cooler than other paving materials. This means lower ambient air temperatures, less air pollution, and cooler, cleaner stormwater runoff. Concrete pavements are also a key element of the Cool Communities movement." -rinkermaterials.com
This site has LOTS of documentation on why concrete is safer, cheaper, and BETTER than asphalt: http://www.pavement.com/Concrete_Pavement/Technical/Downloads/QDs.asp |
|
TOPIC: Prison Work Force
Why don't we utilize the prison workforce more?
1. It would cut down on costs, because we are normally forced to pay a higher wage to contract labor forces.
2. It would cut down on use of illegal immigrants, because their number 1 utilization is in physical labor.
3. It would give the well-behaved, deserving prison trustee workforce a much needed outlet, source of social interaction outside prison walls (Which is necessary for rehabilitation and reintroduction into society), practice honing a marketable job skill that they would utilize once released back into society, and would help recover some of the costs being spent on maintaining prisons.
Think of it this way: We give inmates libraries, computer labs, weight rooms, and exercise yards where they expend mental and physical energy... but we don't make any money off of that energy. It's wasted.
Let's still give them the same outlets for physical energy, but utilize every bit of it to financially help the state! In this way, our prison populations help bring money TO the state, not just drain it.
Yes, yes, I know we already have some programs like this in place, but there are not NEARLY enough. Instead of stamping license plates and cleaning up highways, why can't they repaint public buildings? Mow and weedeat public landscaping? Give motivational speeches to school children? Lay asphalt and concrete? etc.
Obviously violent criminals and sex offenders would need to be kept seperate from the public and other workforces, but there are still MANY jobs they could do within a secure, confined space, such as manufacturing, basic clerical work, etc.
Basically, going to prison should not be a sentence of "sitting in a box". It should be sentence of hard labor in a factory or workforce setting, giving back to the society they took away from. |
|
TOPIC: Grocery-Education connection
I see that education was the #1 suggestion back in Feb. when this great idea was just getting started. I am wondering if that is still true.
My suggestion touches on the topic of education, too. For several years now I have written periodic letters and made phone calls to Whole Foods in Austin, Trader Joe's in Los Angeles, and Wild Oats in Boulder, CO. Yes, we finally had a Wild Oats open in Tulsa, but none in OKC. I also know that Whole Foods is trying to buy Wild Oats, but that certainly does not slow down their expansion to many other areas.
The consensus from these grocers as to WHY they do not open stores in Oklahoma is that our education level is not high enough. When they do their demographics, that is their #1 area of consideration. I did some research of my own, then contacted them to call them on it! St. Louis has a lower educational demographic than we do, and they all have more than one store in that metro area. Little Rock, Ark. also boasts of some of these grocers! Our Bricktown area with it's ever growing urban population is a perfect place for the small footprint of Trader Joe's.
The grocery industry in OK is dismal. I have been to other communities outside OK that have wonderful grocery stores. I'm talking about communities with 20,000 people! There is something very out of balance with pictures.
Debbie Bell
|
|
TOPIC: Food Stamps
I have heard that foodstamps have now been replaced by a card that operates much as a credit or debit card. I have also heard that one can simply withdraw money from an ATM with this card. This is a big problem, and as a taxpayer, I cannot condone this.
The card idea is not a bad one, but such a card should NOT function at ANY atm to withdraw cash. The card should ONLY operate at approved retailers, and an ORIGINAL reciept for ALL transactions should be required from all users of the card. Approved transactions should ONLY include necessary survival and food items: gasoline, food, clothing, baby necessities. Items that should NOT be approved would be: cigarettes, alcohol, firearms, videogames. Approved retailers should be LOW END retailers ONLY, such as resale stores, Walls, Walmart, K-Mart, the Good Will, etc. HIGH END retailers should NEVER be approved.
At the end of the month, when the applicant's reciepts are audited, ever non-approved transaction or missing reciept should be DEDUCTED from the applicant's next month's payment. For example, if $100 were spent on unapproved transactions, the next month, the applicant will get $100 less for that month. If no unapproved transactions are made for that month, the next month will resume the standard amount.
I'm tired of seeing people I know are supported on welfare, driving nicer cars than I do, smoking, drinking, eating out every night, and sitting at home playing xbox 360 all day. As a taxpayer, I demand something be done. I'm helping these people to SURVIVE and eventually regain their financial independance, not take a vacation. |
|
TOPIC: Welfare
Welfare should be given with certain stipulations. First, the applicant must submit to random drug testing. They should be immediately tested and entered into an employment database at express personell, mystaff, or another such staffing agency. Their handicaps should be taken into consideration during job selection, but thanks to the internet, many jobs can be performed completely in a low stress, sitting position. Just like unemployment applicants, they should be required to submit a certain number of job applications per month, to show their intent to return to the workforce.
The applicant should be required to attend job skills classes, seminars, or other basic job training, and counseling sessions if their condition includes psychological problems. After the term of one year, the applicant should face a committee, which will look over their progress and decide whether or not to continue welfare payments. If the applicant is employed, the welfare payments should be heavily reduced, or stopped altogether. If the comitte feels that no progress is being made toward returning to the workforce, then the following should be carried out:
The applicant's children should be relocated. If the applicant is not able to support themselves, what makes the state see them as fit to raise children? If the applicant fails a drug test, their children should be temporarily relocated and the applicant forced to attend drug classes, until which time they can test clean, and thus regain their children. The applicant's driver's license should be suspended and their non-essential items of value (televisions, games, electronics) repossessed to help cover the cost of the state's monetary support. Potentially, their house should be repossessed and the money used to place them in a smaller, low-cost domicile that they can more readily afford, while the extra money from teh sale also goes to help cover the costs by the state.
As it is, is there any incentive to a welfar applicant returning to the workforce? |
|
TOPIC: Make county level offices non partisan.
Make county level offices non partisan just like city councils and commissions. Why is fixing roads a party issue? |
|
TOPIC: Entertainment/Tourism
I would like to see Oklahoma host a large destination music festival with the resources and reputation necessary to bring in a large number of the most popular and best live bands in the world, making our state a summer road trip destination for music fans throughout the southwest.
Tennessee has set an excellent example with their Bonnaro Music Festival which is held on a 700 acre farm in the middle of nowhere. Every year this multi-stage festival brings in over 100 top bands, which in turn attracts thousands of tourists and makes the state a summer road-trip destination. Lawrence, Kansas also has a great festival called Wakarusa, emphasizing the fact that you do not need a typical destination city like Austin to host a great music festival that can boost tourism and state pride. |
|
TOPIC: Tax Reform
Our antiquated taxation system needs a complete overhaul. While the state and many of our 77 counties now enjoy huge revenue surpluses, cities like Tulsa, that have been skrimping for decades, can STILL barely make budget. They have BILLIONS of dollars of deferred maintenence, and are literally falling to pieces. Federal resources are drying up, and I realize there is nothing you can do about that. But there are things you can do. And you must. Cities have nowhere to turn. Sales tax is the only option for cities, and the state and county have sucked up all of the excess capacity. Tulsa scrapes by on 3 cents of the 8.517 cents collected here, the only options are raising sales taxes to something suicidal like 11% (ha!), or forming a city income tax (double ha!).
The quick and dirty answer would be for the state and counties to get out of the sales tax business. In order to do that, you might try bringing property taxes in line with Texas. But a wiser move would first be to examine ALL sources of revenue and expenditures right down to the city level, and find a way to reallocate resources in ways that will benefit our state the most in the future. Let me be clear, we don't need to INCREASE the size of government; we don't even need to raise taxes; but what we DO need to do is to rebalance in ways that will transform our cities into world-class competitors.
We are all PROUD to have grandparents grew up on farms and ranches, but we all recognize that our CITIES are the future of this state. We must invest in them now, while we have something to work with, or they will fail. And our state will fail.
Take a look at Tulsa City Councilor Bill Martinson's report on the subject. Municipal Revenues and Fiscal Constraints, Bill Martinson, City Council Chairman, March 8, 2007
http://www.tulsacouncil.org/pdfs/website%20embedded/COT_Fiscal_Constraints.pdf
|
|
TOPIC: Get local musicians an outlet
Main goal- get our locals an outlet to move forward with their music. While also creating a buzz on a national level and tourism to downtown Oklahoma City.
Eddie Walker, Opal Alger, Kym Johnston, Amy Saxon |
|
TOPIC: 3 day music convention
3 day convention/concerts, something similar to SXSW downtown.
a. Have all clubs/bars/restaurants showcase local bands in hopes of getting signed/ a gig/ networking.
b. To expand on that we could even have the music & film office host conventions at the same time for local artists to help them launch their careers.
c. Invite all indie/major labels out to sign bands or booking agents to get new clients.
d. Also invite national arts to attract a large crowd and also create $$$ downtown.
e. After a few years we will create national buzz which will grow over the years.
Eddie Walker, Opal Alger, Kym Johnston, Amy Saxon |
|
TOPIC: Degree programs
Internationally recorded university degree programs in recording/sound engineering.
Eddie Walker, Opal Alger, Kym Johnston, Amy Saxon |
|
TOPIC: Reallocation of lottery money
Reallocate lottery money into a specific music program fund.
Eddie Walker, Opal Alger, Kym Johnston, Amy Saxon |
|
TOPIC: II Sisttema comprehensive music education
II Sisttema (Venezuela) comprehensive music education. (Google it!)
Eddie Walker, Opal Alger, Kym Johnston, Amy Saxon |
|
TOPIC: Expand Oklahoma A+ schools
Oklahoma at schools is a tremendous model for education reform. It is a proven (in Oklahoma) winner. We need to expand it, www.okaplus.ucok.edu
Cassie Cleveland, Phil Moss, James South, Doris DeArmon |
|
TOPIC: Consolidate city orchestras
Consolidate Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Lawton symphonic orchestras into one regional, full-time orchestra.
Cassie Cleveland, Phil Moss, James South, Doris DeArmon |
|
TOPIC: Create a network to support musicians
Create a network (perhaps through the office of OFMO) to support songwriters, composers, and musicians through humanities performance programs in schools and communities.
Cassie Cleveland, Phil Moss, James South, Doris DeArmon |
|
TOPIC: Public-Private sponsorship of music groups
Public/Private sponsorship of 20 music groups per year in exchange for free performances at civic and non-profit groups plus contribution to Oklahoma music CD with proceeds going back into the initiative.
Jay Shanker, Scott Booker, Jennifer Booker, Jill Simpson |
|
TOPIC: Creation of an Oklahoma creative industry guild
Creation of an Oklahoma creative industry guild, membership fee driven, to initiate education, professional networking and group health insurance opportunities. (Please talk to Jill Simpson, Jay Shanker, Scott Booker for elaboration).
Jay Shanker, Scott Booker, Jennifer Booker, Jill Simpson |
|
TOPIC: Tax credit for Oklahoma radio stations
Tax credit for Oklahoma radio stations playing a designated percentage of Oklahoma music per month.
Jay Shanker, Scott Booker, Jennifer Booker, Jill Simpson |
|
TOPIC: Endorse credentialed art
Recognize and endorse credentialed art and music therapists as part of the industry for the material health of Oklahoma.
Jessika Lauren, John McCarroll, Angie Devore Green, Paulette Black, Kathy Henry |
|
TOPIC: Legislate radio programmers
Legislate radio programmers to play- a) % age of Oklahoma artists, b) % age of Oklahoma unsigned artists, across the board programming during all hours.
Jessika Lauren, John McCarroll, Angie Devore Green, Paulette Black, Kathy Henry |
|
TOPIC: Consolidate music and film funding
Consolidate music and film funding to educate artists about the business. Discourage entitlement of public funding.
Jessika Lauren, John McCarroll, Angie Devore Green, Paulette Black, Kathy Henry |
|
TOPIC: Sidewalks
Between the east coast and the west coast, and including Europe, I have never lived in a place that didn't invest in the simple social amenity known as the sidewalk. That was, until I settled in Oklahoma. I simply can't understand how you all have tolerated, up to this point, walking in the ditch. I think it's time Oklahoma sent out scouts to travel the "Civilized Territories", observe and take notes. When tourists visit Oklahoma City they should be warned . . . Oklahoma City "is not representative" of most communities in the United States. At least not until we can figure out how it put a simply sidewalk on both sides of a residential street.
I give special thanks to those who have arleady addressed this specific issue.
|
|
TOPIC: Change liquor laws
Change liquor laws so venues can open and operate that are more friendly to musicians and promoters. All ages with liquor sales. Able commissions and liquor laws. Try a suspension of laws for an event (i.e. DFEST) to test.
7b. There aren't a great number of successful music venues because of liquor laws- this would enable promoters and venue operators to have successful capital ventures, that in turn create venues for Oklahoma artists to have places to play.
Jessika Lauren, John McCarroll, Angie Devore Green, Paulette Black, Kathy Henry |
|
TOPIC: Setup "Music Ambassadors"
Setup famous Oklahoma "Music Ambassadors" to encourage unknown.
Jessika Lauren, John McCarroll, Angie Devore Green, Paulette Black, Kathy Henry |
|
TOPIC: Use new media
Use new media: YouTube, Google, Video, etc., to break into music distribution, etc.
Jessika Lauren, John McCarroll, Angie Devore Green, Paulette Black, Kathy Henry |
|
TOPIC: College class on music management
College class on music management and marketing.
Jessika Lauren, John McCarroll, Angie Devore Green, Paulette Black, Kathy Henry |
|
TOPIC: Pair up "Starving Artists"
Pair up "Starving Artists" with business students (interns) to plan their business future.
Jessika Lauren, John McCarroll, Angie Devore Green, Paulette Black, Kathy Henry |
|
TOPIC: Market music as a legitimate industry
Market music as a legitimate industry.
Jessika Lauren, John McCarroll, Angie Devore Green, Paulette Black, Kathy Henry |
|
TOPIC: Market Oklahoma Music
Market Oklahoma Music to Oklahomans "Bragging Rights".
Jessika Lauren, John McCarroll, Angie Devore Green, Paulette Black, Kathy Henry |
|
TOPIC: Education
Along with the general high school science classes (natural, biology, chem, and physics) there should be a computer/technology science class (not learning how to type). But how technology works and how to apply it. |
|
TOPIC: Investments/ Venture Funding
Establish an Oklahoma Venture Capital Firm designed to stimulate growth in the state. Instead of requiring returns of 30%+, the OKVC firm will only require a 5-10% return allowing the business operators to retain income to expand. The firm would be required to only fund companies in Oklahoma. Anyone in Oklahoma would be able to invest in the OKVC firm and know that their money will be used to benefit the states economy.
I know there are substantial SEC regulations which would be a burden on this idea but the general Idea is to create a fund where Oklahomans can invest in ventures statewide. Know that it will benefit the state they may require less of a return,(maybe a tax deduction). |
|
TOPIC: Small Businesses/Entrepreneurial Ventures
Establish an idea/business incubation zone (geographically) where new ventures would receive tax exemptions until certain benchmarks (profits,revenues,ROI,sales,ect) where reached where they would gradually be introduced to a lower tax bracket. This would not only stimulate businesses to move to this location it would become a 'hot spot' for idea development and expertise to nurture fledgling companies. (probably focus toward tech companies initially) |
|
TOPIC: Government Efficiency
Government Efficiency:
a. Lean operations.
b. Process redesign Central Office.
Tom Gray, Vikki Dearing, Owen Rock, Shane Frye, Max McKnight, Ken Moore, Leslie Batchelor, Dan Batchelor |
|
TOPIC: Process Ombudsman
Process Ombudsman with outside governing board.
Tom Gray, Vikki Dearing, Owen Rock, Shane Frye, Max McKnight, Ken Moore, Leslie Batchelor, Dan Batchelor |
|
TOPIC: Online business application
One online business application to serve Tax Commission OESC & Secretary of State.
Tom Gray, Vikki Dearing, Owen Rock, Shane Frye, Max McKnight, Ken Moore, Leslie Batchelor, Dan Batchelor |
|
TOPIC: Reevaluate source and use of taxes
Reevaluate source and use of taxes to support local/county and state government.
Tom Gray, Vikki Dearing, Owen Rock, Shane Frye, Max McKnight, Ken Moore, Leslie Batchelor, Dan Batchelor |
|
TOPIC: Pride in Oklahoma Internal
Pride in Oklahoma Internal
a. Alumni outreach
b. E.D.'s teach economics- history
c. Revamp of K-12
d. Merit based system- government
Ashley Woodruff, David Deffenbaugh, Judee Snodderly, Brian Thorstenberg, Sandy Pratt, Mike Carnuccio, Ron Cupp, Bill Everett |
|
TOPIC: Incentives Oklahoma contracts
Incentives Oklahoma contracts to Oklahoma companies.
Court Newkirk, David Myers, Kay L. Wade, Janet Yowell, Peggy Gieb, Tracy Pasby, Ray Brown, Leisha Haworth |
|
TOPIC: Education
From 3 grade to Senior year of high school, I have been in Special Education Class. My expriences from those classes have been helpful to me but not in a way to prepare for college. I rememeber, there was a teacher who only gave one to two assignments on Spelling and nothing else. Most students were done and she had nothing else to teach us for that day. In most of these classes I wasn't really pushed to my limit to prepare for an adult life. Some classes made me feel like I was just getting an A than earning it. I think the Special Education Classes should have more teachers to help the students. More than there is now in ALL school districts, not just in Mid-Del or some others. I feel that if the students are more challenged at their level and some what more then they can feel more prepared for college and adulthood. A better increase in graducation rates and not so many behind the system when going for jobs. Thank you for taking an interest in this idea. |
|
TOPIC: Light rail
We need a light rail system that runs like a wagon wheel from the center of the city to Edmond, Midwest City, Moore/Norman/yukon, El Reno ect. It could resemble the Chicago L or the system in Atlanta. If we are going to become a major metropolitan area, this is a must. Cities all over the country are realizing this. Houston is in the process of building a metro. L.A.'s hasn't been real successful, but in other cities they are VERY SUCCESSFUL.
It would keep our city cleaner and offer an alternative to high gasoline prices. Our city buses do not meet this need. They run on gasoline and the break down too often. Unfortunately, people wrongly associate buses with poverty, but they associate a Metro with being metropolitan.
|
|
TOPIC: CHARITABLE DONATIONS
It has become a matter of fact that the government will not always spend your tax money the way you would like them to. The IRS has made it possible for individuals to give charitable contributions for tax deductions. This has been around for A LONG TIME, but not very many people take advantage of this opportunity. Not only can you give to a charity of your choice, you can do it for FREE! Okay, well it's not truely "free" but it could be, if you knew how to deduct it! Of cource, the IRS isn't about to make it EASY to use this feature (as with all deductions of course!) But if there was a website or mailing, such as GIVE OK.com that organized well respected charities, that were classified under Seciton 501(c)3 as tax-deductible organizations, and provided descriptions of very specific programs that your money would be used for, and then, provided a complete summary of your donations, with the receipts and neccessary forms (such as Form 8283 and an itemized deduction schedule A form 1040) with exact instructions on how to fill them out (for examply, the exact numbers to plug into fields 15,16, and 17 of the 1040) then not only will individuals get a say in where their tax money is going, it could directly benefit Oklahoma charities and thereby greatly improve the state overall, and better yet, it doesn't even require the government to lift a FINGER!!! |
|
TOPIC: Tuition free for Oklahoma residents
Tuition free to all higher ed institutions in Oklahoma with residency required following completion.
Court Newkirk, David Myers, Kay L. Wade, Janet Yowell, Peggy Gieb, Tracy Pasby, Ray Brown, Leisha Haworth |
|
TOPIC: Transportation, Government Reform
This past summer I took a road trip to Washington, DC and back. I traveled through 12 states. No question about it….Oklahoma had the worst highways and rest stops of any of the 12 states and was the only one that charged tolls! It was embarrassing. I had no idea. I would suggest we contact some of these other states and learn from them.
Don’t our federal tax dollars help with transportation needs? I slept for 4 hours in the middle of the night at a rest stop in Indiana that had an employee there 24 hours a day. The bathrooms were huge and immaculate. The parking lot was full of travelers stopping to sleep.
The Turnpike Authority needs to be eliminated along with the tolls. This could be done gradually and move those employees over to ODOT. “Highway robbery” just took on a whole new meaning for me. |
|
TOPIC: Technology
Technology has had a very positive impact on business in general. It is, however, okay to say “no” to technology. If you can do your job with what you have and everything is working, there is no need to spend more money just for the sake of saying that you are “on the cutting edge”. Public servants, whether they are police officers, prison staff, teachers, social workers, nurses, etc., would probably agree that it is human beings in the field that really make the difference. In the long run, that is what will pay off. On the other hand, I would love to see an automated time and leave system. Those paper timesheets are “time” consuming. |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
The Beggs Independent School District has a monolithic dome school. It serves not only as a school, but a shelter for the community from natural disasters. I "googled" and found some good information concerning it's advantages.
Safety: It provides near-absolute protection against hurricanes, tornados, fire, earthquakes and other natural disasters.
Energy: Savings of 50% or more at no premium in construction.
Permanence: Built to last for centuries with reasonable maintenance.
Clear span: monolithic domes allow for complete remodeling as needs change.
Shortened construction time: Building is available for occupancy sooner.
This might be a solution to other communities in need of schools and shelters within their communities. I believe they received a federal grant to help with the cost. I’ve never seen it, but work with people who live there and really like it. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Privatize all education in OK. The private sector in OK has already proven that it can do a better job of educating Oklahomans for less than the public systems. All one has to do is compare standardized outcomes of students at private schools to those at public, along with the cost per head of educating them at their respective institutions. Places like OCS, CHA, OCA, Mt. Saint Mary's, and many others are demonstrating that they do it better with less.
Implementation:
1) Announce that in the summer of 2009, all educational assets (land, buildings, buses, computers, desks, chairs, teacher contracts, everything) will be auctioned to the highest bidders. This includes local school systems from elementary through high school, as well as the public universities such as OU and OSU.
2) Let no more public tax dollars ever be spent on education in OK, except to return tax dollars to the tax payer each year so that they can then decide where to send their children to school.
3) Use the billions or even trillions raised from the auction to
a) pay off all education-related indebtedness
b) fully fund the current teacher retirement pension system, and
c) return the remainder to the tax payers.
Let OK lead the way and show the nation that if free enterprise, competition, and freedom of choice are capable of sustaining the greatest economy in world history, ending slavery, and crushing communism, it is certainly good enough to educate its citizens. |
|
TOPIC: Develop Agri Business
Develop Agri business R & D- Center in Oklahoma.
Court Newkirk, David Myers, Kay L Wade, Janet Yowell, Peggy Gieb, Tracy Pasby, Ray Brown, Leisha Haworth |
|
TOPIC: Streamline government
Streamline state and county government structure.
Court Newkirk, David Myers, Kay L Wade, Janet Yowell, Peggy Gieb, Tracy Pasby, Ray Brown, Leisha Haworth |
|
TOPIC: Technology and Innovation Ideas
a. Virtual (Legislation) Legislature.
b. Free next generation Wi-Fi @ community level.
c. On deman air taxi service- local airports to hub.
d. Uniform tax equalization of all taxes.
e. Lease back of school facilities instead of district owning real estate (facilities).
Vicki Ayres-McCune, Betty Viljeon, Deidre Ebrey, Alba Weaver, Dave Burnett, Jon Blankenship, Randle Lee, Chalres Kimbrough |
|
TOPIC: Availability skill set
Workforce: Availability skill set- Incentivize to move to rural.
Vicki Ayres-McCune, Betty Viljeon, Deidre Ebrey, Alba Weaver, Dave Burnett, Jon Blankenship, Randle Lee, Chalres Kimbrough |
|
TOPIC: Human Capital
Human Capital:
1. Incentive to in-migration.
2. Tuition loan forgiveness.
3. Funding for existing worker training.
Monty Evans, Sheila Spangler, Becky Julian, Jim Stout, James Johnson, Matt Robison |
|
TOPIC: Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship:
1. Classes at High School level.
2. Incentives to entrepreneurs to stay in Oklahoma.
3. K-12
4. Satellite college programs offered in rural locations.
Monty Evans, Sheila Spangler, Becky Julian, Jim Stout, James Johnson, Matt Robison |
|
TOPIC: OK Tribal Chiefs Day
OK Tribal Chiefs Day for Economic Development.
Monty Evans, Sheila Spangler, Becky Julian, Jim Stout, James Johnson, Matt Robison |
|
TOPIC: Funding for incentives
Problem: Funding for incentives at the local level.
Solution: Work regionally to collaborate.
Peter Abramo, Marvin Hankins, Cinnamon Bock, Scott Smith, Brian Barger |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma is not engaging the global economy
Oklahoma is not engaging in the global economy i.e. the market of ideas and information.
Peter Abramo, Marvin Hankins, Cinnamon Bock, Scott Smith, Brian Barger |
|
TOPIC: Good Old Boy network
Problem: "Good Old Boy" network.
Solution: Put preferences aside, pursue right solutions.
Peter Abramo, Marvin Hankins, Cinnamon Bock, Scott Smith, Brian Barger |
|
TOPIC: No one knows about Oklahoma
Problem: Nationally, no one knows about Oklahoma.
Solution A: Greater funding for promoting right image of Oklahoma.
Solution B: Leverage web for creating right image.
Solution C: Create a central repository for marketing materials for all communities to draw from.
Peter Abramo, Marvin Hankins, Cinnamon Bock, Scott Smith, Brian Barger |
|
TOPIC: Government Cabinet Tribal Affairs
Government Cabinet Tribal Affairs/ ODOC Dept. Tribal Affairs Partnerships.
Rae Rice, Sandra Loncrier, Don Wood, Janet Smith, Jim D. Mason |
|
TOPIC: Privatize OESC
Privatize OESC/Workforce
Rae Rice, Sandra Loncrier, Don Wood, Janet Smith, Jim D. Mason |
|
TOPIC: Assist Oklahoma Companies
Assist Oklahoma Companies. To be world leaders in applications of Nano Technology.
a. Recruit
b. Train workforce.
Rae Rice, Sandra Loncrier, Don Wood, Janet Smith, Jim D. Mason |
|
TOPIC: organ donation
I would like to see the organ donor process changed to where EVERYONE is a donor unless they check that they would NOT like to be on their drivers license. I understand they do this in other places and they don't have the long waits for organs like we do here. I'm not sure if this could be done just on a state by state basis, or if it would have to be national, but I think it would be a wonderful idea and would save lives. |
|
TOPIC: Electricity
There is much complaint about wanting to build a new coal fired power plant. Please consider building nuclear power plants for zero pollution. I worked at a nuclear power plant which was in the middle of a state wildlife preserve. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Require 4 years of math, science, english, history and the humanities as a high school graduation requirement. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Provide for a "Math Specialist" in each school district and the state. Their sole responsibility would be to teach math to students in grades K-8. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Provide for a "Reading Specialist" in each school district in the state. Their sole responsibility would be to teach reading to students in grades K-12. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Remove the caps on charter schools and allow statewide authorization. |
|
TOPIC: Education
State mandated testing through the Office of Accountability. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Performance pay for teachers and school districts. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Management and funding of facility related expenses through county government. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Simplify state funding to allow the money to follow the child to the classroom. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Remove all "input" requirements on schools and focus on outcomes. |
|
TOPIC: Term Limits
We have term limits for our state legislature and our governor here in Oklahoma, but state wide offices are not term limited and thus they have become powerful seats lately. In order to prevent corruption, ensure justice, and promote a small government, it would be a good idea to term limit these offices. I would promote term limiting all state wide offices to two (2) lifetime terms per office. |
|
TOPIC: Law Enforcement
Every year hundreds of thousands of dollars are lost by local municipalities due to unpaid parking fines.
In many states, unpaid fines are turned over to the state for collection. When a person is notified that car licencing fees are due, the cost of the parking ticket plus a collection fee is included. When the tag fees are paid, the parking ticket portion is remitted to the appropriate city and the state keeps the collection fee--a win, win situtation made simple. |
|
TOPIC: education
Set educators with base salary and bench marks for test improvements. Every student that posts improved test scores, the bonuses arrive to the educator!!! Earned...productive,measured success! No limit to the number of students in classroom of a successful instructor.On the otherhand, students under performing with an instructor will be removed until that instructor has success with the students at hand. All monetary increases and benefits will not have a limit because they will follow the success of the students. All testing to be by a third party. If possible, the instructors will be hired, maintained, and fired
by a third party organization in oversight by the parents of the students currently enrolled.
Instructors will have wealth,success,recognition! This will insure the best will enroll with the best outcome for the community and family!!!! |
|
TOPIC: CONSTRUCTION
To build a plant in Oklahoma that would provide engineered wall, floor, ceiling and miscellaneous building components and modules that could be quickly and easily erected on site, these components would be available to rebuild areas that are destroyed by natural disasters such as the tornados that hit Moore and OKC, hurricanes, fires, etc. I am a member of the Cherokee Nation, and would like to see this facility within the Cherokee tribal lands and employ several native Americans. I have several years of experience in Construction, including erecting pre-engineered components, but as far as I know, there is not a facility in Oklahoma that provides the whole package. |
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Build it and they will come!
Tulsa's future is tied to the 42 mile Arkansas River Corridor with many businesses and recreation facilities vying for future space.
A rapid transit system is needed to serve South Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, Downtown Tulsa, and Sand Springs with an economical, dependable, low emission means of connecting future bedrooms, businesses, and recreational facilities .
The Time is now! |
|
TOPIC: land scape
we as a state spend large amounts of money to entice people & business"s to move to our fair city & state.my Idea is to use all available space for gardens,greenbelts & anything that would enhance the beauty of our living invironment.When you take a trip out of state the 1st
thing most people notice is its a beautiful place to live.we have retiree's traveling through that
are looking for a place to live & how nice it looks is the first thing they notice.Add the fact that we have the best housing prices in the country& we have the best labor force!Some key
locations to look at is the water shed on i-40 & mcarthur in front of big shopping center,also there are blooming plants that will grow on the rocks or riff raff on the canadian river or Oklahoma river as some call it.there are lots of choice sites that need the green, we just have to locate them all.lets quit spending search money & build a green, core community.Respectfully! DEWAYNE WOOLF 405 946 5493 2624 n ann arbor condo #110 |
|
TOPIC: education
Childhood is a time like no other, and to preserve that is upmost. But one thing has been lost. The personal attention needed for a child to really comprehend what is taught.Also too much reliance on a school funding that lacks the ability to give quality education. When a project to make downtown more attractive to peoiple we dont know, takes a higher priority than what our future citizens may know about economic issues or financing, is sure to result in more of what we see right now. The idea that attracting people to bring more money to our economy rather than educate the ones who, with good education, can bring ideas of wise budgeting instead of ventures that gamble with our money Give way to things that will give a lasting overall quality of life and not to ideas like stadiums downtown for small time sport. like TU badmitten team or class d flag football |
|
TOPIC: THE RESULTS OF
In watching a show about WW1 It occurs to me that we have not seen hard times in a long time. It also occurs to me when I see how many feel that public safety amongst other issues, is a government issue. I believe that due to having a quality of life, so good for most, and no real ability to know what it is not to have the freedoms we have,and to not know what sacrifices have been made so we may live like we do, is a major problem with many of your ideas.You folks are so quick to suggest, more laws, more punishment, more people in prison, all for your safety.What does that do for life quality for those you imprison . And are you any safer? Buck Up |
|
TOPIC: Quality for all of us!
Just think of the folks on tight budgets. How many ideas I have seen, that suggest more enforcement of traffic laws and car insurance laws. Too many are dealing with a budget that doesnt allow all the bills to get attended to. And not because of too many luxury either. A realistic situation to pay elec.,rent, food for the family, propane, car insurance , all with a paycheck not near big enough, occurs more than you might realize.The idea should cross your mind that of the above listed expences, which do you see to be most likely to laps. Of course insurance. No immediate quality of life change, not having a peice of paper saying you have insurance. And to get slammed on the way to work with Jail impound fines suspended licence,which adds up to about 1300 bucks and missed work,the odds of compliance to these laws is now impossible. How about more affordable living conditions when coming up with your ideas.Way it looks ,most of you have NO IDEA |
|
TOPIC: judiciary
A local broadcast of county proceedings available to every home of that county. Criminal courts to every meeting of voter concern. As it is, too many have no idea what local government does with their money, nor do they know what effect the laws they vote for have. To see first hand, would change the way the elected seats conduct themselves, and reassure voters that they do have the power to make Oklahoma a better place. Put the power back into the hands of the people |
|
TOPIC: Education
MENTORING -
Why not give an Oklahoma tax incentive for mentors who are trained, background checked, and commit to a least once a week of mentoring a child ( elementary through high school) for at least one year in basic areas of reading, math, career planning, or whatever the child needs. The mentor could meet at the child's school with businesses supporting their mentoring employees for the appropriate amount of time each week, just like supporting United Way efforts. Everyone could use a tax break and children would benefit from the life experience, education and friendship of a healthy mentor. When school is not in session, libraries, hospitals, community centers, or churches could be the mentoring place. Every child needs to feel important and connected to someone....and as a matter of fact, so do adults! |
|
TOPIC: Educators who have committed crimes
I think there should be a list posted of teachers who have lost their teaching licenses in Oklahoma and the crimes committed, along with the schools where they had worked.
Have you ever tried to find out who these teachers are who have lost their licenses? I have and got no reply from the Oklahoma Department of Education. If we really care about the children, as we are always hearing, then why can't we find out who these educators are?
There have been a few names listed in The Daily Oklahoman at times, but there needs to be a constantly updated list made available to the public.
We should know who these teachers and other education personnel are for the safety of our children.
|
|
TOPIC: Environmental Regulations
Oklahoma should adopt a "Good Samaritan" type of law that allows landowners (mostly pertaining to rural land) who improve water quality or ecosystem health the opportunity to circumvent some of the required permits through an expressed understanding with state agencies. These permits commonly increase the price of improvements outside the budget of these projects. For instance, if a landowner wants to use a flowing seep for watering livestock, they cannot develop that seep without applying for a thorough discharge permit, even though the seep would be currently discharging into the receiving body of water. |
|
TOPIC: Geography
We are in the geographic center of the United States. What products that ship on trucks could benefit from being made or warehoused in Oklahoma. TIme and Dollars. |
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Topic: Rest Areas
We do have some very nice rest areas, but we also have so very bad ones. These make impressions on visitors to our state, and they are widely used by truckers as well as people in cars. It really comes down to a safety issue. If people need to get off the highways whether they are sleepy or just need a break, let’s let them do it in clean beautiful surroundings.
|
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Part IV: Oklahoma Tags
Oklahoma is not just OK! It’s great! Let’s place on our license plates that Oklahoma is Great!
|
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Topic: Bridges!
There is no doubt that we need many new bridges. One thing that I have noticed driving in OKC area is that the beams and sides of bridges or walkways all come in varied colors; red, green, gray or rust! Please paint all the under side of the bridges the same color throughout the OKC area, that will help the looks a lot.
We have a very unique and pretty state seal. Why can’t we use that on major bridges? If you have gone to the Dallas area lately, they have the Texas star imprinted on the major bridges. It would show pride in our state.
|
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Topic: Streets, Highways, Interstates and Turnpikes
Get our streets, highways, interstates and turnpikes in better shape. Why can’t we build concrete roads that would last longer? We live in Edmond and do a lot of travel by car to Florida, Santa Fe, New Mexico and Montana and we see states that put a lot of importance in the maintenance of their highway. Oklahoma City has so much to offer and we need better roads to get people here to enjoy our beautiful city.
|
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Topic: Build a beltway!
Suggested parameters:
Southern - South of Norman
Eastern - Choctaw
Northern – South of Guthrie
Western – El Reno
This would alleviate at least some of the heavy truck traffic that destroys our streets and makes it easier to get around the city area when you are just driving through or need to get to the other side of town.
|
|
TOPIC: State Income Tax
Send me a distribution form every year that will allow me to distribute my state income tax tax monies how I see fit.
At the end of the year after I file my tax return, send me a statement showing where my money went and how it is being used within the various distributions. I shouldn't have to seek out this information. Send it to all taxpayers |
|
TOPIC: Traffic Safety
Many traffic accidents are caused, gasoline and time wasted, and nerves strained by cars stopping and blocking traffic while waiting for a traffic break to make a right/left turn.
This could be easily prevented by a state ordnance requiring all housing and business developers requiring ingress/egress to public streets to provide right and left turn lanes (to state/city standards) as an adjunct to those public streets prior to building,
This would not be a public expense. Although some "grandfathering" of existing hazardous intersections might be at public expense, it would be much cheaper than building an additional lane or lanes and would speed traffic and increase safety on existing narrow roads immeasurably. |
|
TOPIC: clothing
Ban all clothing, make Oklahoma an all-nude state. This will attract tourists, save money otherwise spent on clothing, and decrease obesity. |
|
TOPIC: OSU Tulsa
OSU Tulsa is not growing according to the original deal when UCAT was turned over to OSU. OSU has no interest in growing a campus that would drain students from the Stillwater Campus. They took over the Tulsa campus to impeed the growth. OSU has not spent any money on new buildings, the people of Tulsa County have built the entire campus. The University of Oklahoma is running out of buildings to slap large donors names on. I say we turn the OSU Tulsa campus over to OU with the goal of building a quality 4 year campus in the Tulsa Area. |
|
TOPIC: roads
I believe that our roads could be safer if there was a 800# to call and report issues and then forwarded to the right agency be it city or county kind of like the call befor you dig thing.
and we need shoulders on all highways
I live on hwy 102 and there is no shoulder at all. A trooper had someone pulled over just below a hill.
I was forced to pass or take a chance of hitting a parked car the trooper in the road or maybe get rear-ended.
the trooper followed me with lights on for me to pull over I waited until I reached my driveway (about a mile) I just didn't feel it was safe.
there are alot accidents on hwy 102.
another local road is hwy 177 the road (in pott county anyway) is very dark. I think highly -reflective paint in the road would help alot.
That is just 2 of the concerns in my area. I am sure that those same problems exist statewide. |
|
TOPIC: Fully Fund the Endowed Chairs
Endowments are essential to attract top teachers and researchers to our state institutions, and they ensure that educational does not diminish during hard economic times. The state government should fully match any private donation for the creation of endowed professorships at our universities. While the legislature has agreed to this in principle, many endowed positions are in limbo due to a lack matching funds. When private businesses and wealthy individuals step up to the plate and invest in Oklahoma’s future, our government should be eager to join them. A matching system offers great “bang for the buck” by encouraging private industry to invest in our public education system. If companies know that their donation will be doubled, then they are much more likely contribute. |
|
TOPIC: Taxes
I file my taxes with TurboTax. The question that comes up on the Oklahoma return in TurboTax asks if I "would like to pay sales tax on out-of-state purchases" or something to that effect. Who would like to pay taxes? I have no easy way to find records related to any such purchases anyway, If the tax can't be collected at the source, I suggest it is more trouble than what I expect is a tiny amount of revenue generated.
Why not repeal the tax and be seen as a "tax cutting" state, without sacrificing much revenue. If there ever comes a time when this can actually be collected uniformly, then reinstate it for fairness to competing Oklahoma merchants. Until then, don't make taxpayers fumble to pay it, or shortchange the state. |
|
TOPIC: Taxes
I would like to see some kind of legislation passed that would exempt , Historical Associations , Civic orginations and other non profit groups from sales taxes on fund raisers. there are a lot of people who don,t try to have fund raising events that only make a few hundred dollars, Because they have to pay taxes on such a small amount.
You could set a limit of $5000 or even less before taxing them.I know this is not politically popular, But it would affect a very large number of people.
Another sugestion is to set an example by saying the Pledge to the Oklahoma Flag at any meetings where the American Flag is saluted. |
|
TOPIC: environment
IF WE WOULD FIX MANY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS WE WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF HEALTH AND SAFETY PROBLEMS MANY ARE FACING IN THE NATION. IF YOU LOOK AT THE TOP 10 OF THE CDC LIST YOU WILL FIND THOSE IN THE WATER AND AIR HERE IN THIS STATE. I THINK THAT ANY LEADER OR A LEADER WHO WANTS TO BE NUMBER ONE WOULD WANT THE BEST BANG FOR THEIR BUCK AND PLACES LIKE SUPERFUND SITES AND OTHER HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES WOULD BE THE NUMBER ONE PLACE TO GET THE BEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT. |
|
TOPIC: Workers Compensation
Workers Compensation is going crazy in this state and I am sure in others. I propose that refunds should be set up for employers with safe fan work history. The strong should not have to pay for the weak.
The judges that award huge amounts of money to people who cheat the system is very wrong and should be dealt with.
I had a case many years ago I proved to be false , the judge awarded money and the person instead of using the money for the so called operation used the money for family vacation and braged about how he cheated. I still have the video that proves he was cheating if anyone cares to even look at it.
Billy Allen
|
|
TOPIC: ethanol production
I ; represent a group to setup an erthanol producdion plant, plus! .here in oklahoma.and need your help, thank you; |
|
TOPIC: environment
I had an idea 4 years ago, been awarded an On The Brink Award sponsored in part by OCAST, been on the OCAST radio program, had many meetings with ODEQ, EPA and other governmental agencies for the first permanent solution to ever be applied at any Superfund Site in the United States. I have seen many of these agenies trying to aquire information on how this process works and deliberatley refuse to use or even allow a pilot project at no cost to government or taxpayers just to prove this process. How does this Idea program work so that future ideas are protected and grovernment does not try to steal information? I have other processes that are waiting in the wings and will stay there until someone can assure me government or programs like this are not just a means for government to access information from citizens like myself. |
|
TOPIC: Environment
Oklahoma needs to have a law mandating deposits on beverage bottles and cans, coupled with providing machines for returning the bottles and cans for cash in stores (such as grocery and discount stores). Other states have made this work to the benefit of the environment, resulting in cleaner roadsides, less solid waste, and more recycling. Connecticut is one example of how this can work, as is California. Let's keep our land grand! |
|
TOPIC: Economy/Jobs
Place restrictions on "Big Box" stores like Wal-Mart, etc, and instead encourage locally owned businesses. Locally owned businesses contribute to the economic health and sustainability of the community. Owners of small businesses live in their communities and are invested in them. The money earned by locally owned businesses is reinvested right there in their towns and in Oklahoma. Large corporate businesses send most of their money out of state. Not only that, they drive down area wages by paying less than a living wage. They also put unfair and illegal restrictions on employees right to organize, ensuring that working conditions are poor and pay stays low. Wal-Mart, K-Mart and other "Big Box" stores hurt our communities, our workers and our state. The future of Oklahoma's economy should lie in Oklahoma entrepeneurs who improve the quality of life in their communities by building strong businesses. |
|
TOPIC: Environment
Put a state wide recycling program into place. Cities and towns would be responsible for implementing this but state would offer suggestions and perhaps incentives. Trash to energy plants or purchase of the recycled materials could be utilized. At least paper, plastic and aluminum to start.
Present wide media coverage (billboards, paper, TV, radio, etc.) like the seat belt issue to make all citizens aware that this is available. Either private companies could offer services, or add a small fee to utility bill. I know this is done in Tulsa, but Bixby, Broken Arrow and other outlying communities do not have an option. Offer a small tax rebate to those who sign up.
Use the money (if any) to help education - OK would benefit from saving our environment and helping our children. |
|
TOPIC: Equality
In order to move forward and create a truly safe, healthy and humane place to live, Oklahoma needs to eliminate its discriminatory laws against LGBT Oklahomans and guarantee legal protection from harassment and against employment discrimination for LGBT citizens. Until they do, Oklahoma will be stuck in the 19th century. |
|
TOPIC: Health Care
Oklahoma develops a comprehensive approach to improve the health and safety of all. This approach will require communities to join with business, health care providers, tribes, and government to identify measurable strategies that would improve the health status and quality of life of the Oklahoma people from the womb to the grave. Areas of focus include:
1. Environment
2. Health
3. Education
4. Recreational
5. Policies that promote the improve the Quality of Life
6. Spiritual
7. Economic
8. Vocational |
|
TOPIC: Reoccurring Entertainment & Tourism Revenue
Tulsa needs reoccurring Tourism & Entertainment related revenue, and building more museums will not help. Tulsa needs venues that the local community as well as out of town guests will REPEATEDLY VISIT for fun, relaxation and entertainment...thus...we need the MID-WEST's best and most notable WATERPARK. Think the building the "Disney World" of water to Tulsa attracting thousands of Tulsans of out of town visitors during the warm months each year.
I have already run this idea by hundreds of people, high school students, business peers and myself repeatedly. It will work, and we do not need anymore museums.
When was the last time you went to a museum?
When was the last time you bought a season pass to go the museum repeatedly?
When was the last time you planned a family vacation to a museum?
DJ Clay Clark
Owner of DJ Connection Tulsa Inc.
918-481-2010
www.djconnectiontulsa.com
www.voteforclay.com |
|
TOPIC: Criminal justice
For the future , less government, effect daily lives.....hmm Got one. Take the drug task force and put them in prison for the distruction of families here in oklahoma sves money stops crime, saves lives. oh here you go,...quit making criminals out of quarter paper people its not that we love being addicted i think we are aware of it and can take responsibility for any damage caused from using. we for the most part have no need to steal or kill for a high im 42 and met 1 or3 that might do such a thing. just not smart was treir problem more than anything im going to jail for a year in 2 days i own my home had 5 minor kids i love very mich and provided for no not drug money, i buy drugs not sell it no need but 1 year from now i will be homeless and unable to work kids will be scattered about in foster homes and you can bet crime is gonna rise no choice no care good idea to change your evil ways oklahoma |
|
TOPIC: Initiate more exchange programs
Initiate more active exchange programs with other countries.
Susan Al-Jarrah, Radwan Al-Jarrah, Paul Wingard, Bob Klaassen, Jill Jones, Torrey Curtis |
|
TOPIC: Gross production tax
Recommend percentage of gross production tax be moved from general fund to support roads and bridges.
Susan Al-Jarrah, Radwan Al-Jarrah, Paul Wingard, Bob Klaassen, Jill Jones, Torrey Curtis |
|
TOPIC: Eliminate punitive laws against minors
Eliminate laws that send minor offenders to prison. (Restorative justice)
Susan Al-Jarrah, Radwan Al-Jarrah, Paul Wingard, Bob Klaassen, Jill Jones, Torrey Curtis |
|
TOPIC: Quality of Life ideas
1. Improve quality of life for local people.
2. Improve mass transportation across Oklahoma.
3. Improve Oklahoma's image- What can we be known for?
4. Develop alternative energy sources (wind, biofuels).
5. Plan future land use.
Peter Grant, Blake Sonoke, Ray Jones, Agh Armocdian, Garo Armocdian |
|
TOPIC: Repeal term limits
Repeal term limits:
a. Develop County Superintendents system-eliminate local superintendent positions and duplication of services at state level.
b. Eliminate sovereignty of Indian Nation.
Cynthia Foust, Donovan Fuller, Diana Schultz, Robin Jones, Brian Adler, Tom Fagan |
|
TOPIC: Declare "indigents" as a disease
Declare "indigents" (poor people) as a disease state and put somewhere to learn life skills, training and remove themselves from welfare. Counselors- earn income. Develop in geographic regions. Cheaper to run Medicare programs from one location.
Cynthia Foust, Donovan Fuller, Diana Schultz, Robin Jones, Brian Adler, Tom Fagan |
|
TOPIC: Light rail
Light railway system transport needed.
Cynthia Foust, Donovan Fuller, Diana Schultz, Robin Jones, Brian Adler, Tom Fagan |
|
TOPIC: Offer a similar forum annually
Offer this similar forum annually. Could local regions write out the ideas/legislation instead of the legislature? More representative of the people. Current process stifles public opinion.
Cynthia Foust, Donovan Fuller, Diana Schultz, Robin Jones, Brian Adler, Tom Fagan |
|
TOPIC: Common Ed
Common Ed/ Higher Ed: Why can't we operate Higher Ed like Common Ed- same methodology. The Office of State Finance could be downsized.
Cynthia Foust, Donovan Fuller, Diana Schultz, Robin Jones, Brian Adler, Tom Fagan |
|
TOPIC: Licenses for gambling
Is state of Oklahoma getting appropriate share of gambling revenue? Issuing license to individuals for gambling.
Cynthia Foust, Donovan Fuller, Diana Schultz, Robin Jones, Brian Adler, Tom Fagan |
|
TOPIC: Indian Casinos
Indian casinos here to stay- Possibility of state of Oklahoma also getting into this business- fair share of money (KS, latest example)
Cynthia Foust, Donovan Fuller, Diana Schultz, Robin Jones, Brian Adler, Tom Fagan |
|
TOPIC: Statewide internship programs
Develop a statewide internship program for colleges.
Ken Rose, Rich Ratcliffe, John Hays, Carter Robinson, Whitney Lee, Randy Beutler |
|
TOPIC: Explore ideas for research funds
Explore additional ideas for research funds and exploring other areas.
Ken Rose, Rich Ratcliffe, John Hays, Carter Robinson, Whitney Lee, Randy Beutler |
|
TOPIC: Expansion of I 40 and I 35
Expansion of I-40 and I-35 for large 18 wheelers to improve road conditions here in Oklahoma.
Ken Rose, Rich Ratcliffe, John Hays, Carter Robinson, Whitney Lee, Randy Beutler |
|
TOPIC: Affordable mass transit systems
Affordable mass transit systems for OKC and Tulsa. Long range (40-50 years). Plans for improving transportation.
Ken Rose, Rich Ratcliffe, John Hays, Carter Robinson, Whitney Lee, Randy Beutler |
|
TOPIC: International port at Burns Flat
International port of entry at Burns Flat, OK with the Indian Tribes.
Ken Rose, Rich Ratcliffe, John Hays, Carter Robinson, Whitney Lee, Randy Beutler |
|
TOPIC: Renewable Energy Sources
Federal law mandates the electrical energy companies buy back power produced from wind generators.
-Why not quit the waiting....controversy over coal versus gas powered electrical generation plants?
-The State of Oklahoma could invest in large wind generator farms in the vast open areas of windy Oklahoma. And when the "wind comes sweeping down the plain".....Oklahoma rakes in the profits, while keeping the environment clean.
-And, the state makes some change in the process!!
Frank Lipsinic
Oklahoma City
(405) 842-8303
|
|
TOPIC: State Energy Resources
With all the shortages, problems, and rising gasoline proces.....
How's about "OKLAHOMA ENERGY FOR OKLAHOMANS"????
Oklahoma has plenty of private oil well production, and renewable resources that can be used to supplement limited petroleum for gasoline powered vehicles. With corn production and switchgrass being discussed as an Ethanol-based gasoline fuel for vehicles.....why wait for private energy corporations to develope the idea, or build more refineries.
-The State of Oklahoma could invest and build it's own refineries, use local Oklahoma oil and renewable resources, and produce gasoline only for Oklahomans, thereby stabilizing and lowering fuel prices for "Oklahomans Only".
-This could benefit the state as a long-term income investment, and help the citizens by lowering local fuel prices.
-Let's face it....the corporate energy companies don't really want prices to stay down, and have no real incentive to produce more.
Frank Lipsinic
Oklahoma City
(405) 842-8303
|
|
TOPIC: Increasing income for state
I recently purchased a new vehicle and would love to get a personalized tag. I had 'BURSELF' back in the mid-90s and recall the nightmare of coming up with the right tag only to find out it was already taken several weeks later. My idea? Create a website where we can order personalized license plates online and check our personalized request within moments. Currently, you submit a form with 6 different requests.
|
|
TOPIC: 100ideas
SEVERAL THOUGHTS COME TO MIND:
1. PUT A CAP ON ATTORNEY'S & MALPRACTICE LAWSUITS ... TX. DID THIS AND NOW THEY HAVE AN INFLUX OF DOCTORS. OK MUST DO THIS IF THEY EXPECT GROWTH
IN THE MEDICAL FIELD.
2. ELIMINATE THE STATE INCOME TAX. TO ENCOURAGE MORE COMPANIES
& FOLKS TO MOVE HERE. OK STATE BUDGET LOOKS GREEDY. & WAY TO MUCH SPENDING. SILLY COMMENTS ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR A TAX FREE WEEK-END. STATE BUDGET IS WAY OUT OF LINE.
3. STOP REWARDING THE POOR. OK SEEMS TO INVITE ALL LOW INCOME
FOLKS HERE WITH FREE THIS & THAT. RETIRED FOLKS WHO SAVE THEIR
MONEY, GET TAXED 3 TIMES TO SUPPORT THE ONES WHO DID NOT TAKE CARE OF
THEIR OWN BUSINESS. A REWARD IN EVERY AREA IF YOU DID NOT MANAGE YOUR
BUSINESS. OK SEEM BENT ON REWARDING THE POOR BY TAXING THE WORKING PERSON. I CALL IT INCOME REDISTRIBUTION.
4. GET RID OF ALL THE RESORTS, GOLF COURSES, ETC THAT THE STATE OWNS.
IT IS AN EXCESSIVE BURDEN IN MAINTANENCE, MANAGEMENT ETC. LET THE
FREE MARKET SYSTEM WORK. |
|
TOPIC: Make Oklahoma kids come first
Make Oklahoma kids come first!
a. Ensure that litigation and social services iimpacting children is on a quick timeline.
b. Reward employers for facilitating child support instead of penalizing for non-compliance.
c. Look out for and provide food and shelter to kids in impoverished homes.
d. Standardize curriculum to allow kids to continually learn without making major commitments (i.e. select a major) while they are in elementary school.
Emily Davis, Teresa Sullivan, Sharon Pool, Rob Harmon |
|
TOPIC: Tax incentives for companies
Provide tax incentives for companies not only to be chartered in Oklahoma, but to locate their "nerve center" in Oklahoma.
Stephanie Coil, Janice Balliet, Summer Ledbetter, Jereme Cowan |
|
TOPIC: Loan forgiveness for college grads
Loan forgiveness/tax incentives for Oklahoma college grads to stay in Oklahoma to work ("brain-drain" problem)
Stephanie Coil, Janice Balliet, Summer Ledbetter, Jereme Cowan |
|
TOPIC: Transportaion Public vs. Private
Transportation- Public vs. Private
a. Tax deductions for carpooling or riding bus.
b. Tax deduction for alternate fuel vehicles (already done?)
c. Bus station satellites in EOC, Edmond, Norman, Western OK County, use advertising space to fund.
Jill Harris, Lori Vreeland, Chery Delzer, Liz Christianson |
|
TOPIC: Education Curriculum for life
Education- Curriculum for Life:
a. Personal finance simulation game lasting at least one-half of a semester.
b. Career exploration incorporated into curriculum in mid & high school.
c. Personal health beyond sex education and personal hygiene to address obesity.
Jill Harris, Lori Vreeland, Chery Delzer, Liz Christianson |
|
TOPIC: My BMI is OK
My BMI is OK!
a. Tax deduction to employers who subsidize health and fitness programs.
b. Refer to Curriculum for Life.
Jill Harris, Lori Vreeland, Chery Delzer, Liz Christianson
|
|
TOPIC: Education Consolidation
Consolidate school districts.
Consolidate Administrator and School Boards, not buildings.
Becky Cassel, Paige Whitehead, Melissa Costello, Phyllis Harris, Angela Ingargiola, David Chisum |
|
TOPIC: Education ideas
Education:
a. Nutrition awareness.
b. Guidance Counselors (self-esteem)
c. Lengthen school day.
d. Mandatory Physical Education through middle school.
e. Trimester
Becky Cassel, Paige Whitehead, Melissa Costello, Phyllis Harris, Angela Ingargiola, David Chisum |
|
TOPIC: Corporate mentor program
Money, possible corporate involvement "mentor" program.
Becky Cassel, Paige Whitehead, Melissa Costello, Phyllis Harris, Angela Ingargiola, David Chisum |
|
TOPIC: Keep Oklahoma Grads in Oklahoma
Keeping Oklahoma Grads in Oklahoma:
a. Small business incubators with education and supplies.
b. Tax deductions or tuition reimbursement for grads that stay in state.
Becky Cassel, Paige Whitehead, Melissa Costello, Phyllis Harris, Angela Ingargiola, David Chisum |
|
TOPIC: State Health Inusrance Plan
State health insurance plan for early retirees. A "Gap Plan" until Medicare is available. Plan: State to oversee and work with private providers.
Becky Cassel, Paige Whitehead, Melissa Costello, Phyllis Harris, Angela Ingargiola, David Chisum |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Businesses
When our state government outsources responsibilities to the private sector (manufacturing & services), it would seem appropriate to actively seek in-state service providers and include them in the search & selection process as long as fees, services, and expected results are competitive.
This would be an active non-intrusive effort to reinvest in Oklahoma, supplement job growth, provide opportunities for our youth, and improve our economy. |
|
TOPIC: City Bus/ Ridership
Sell the million dollar City buses. No riders.
Vans would cost much less, have air conditioning,could run more often.
Use vans for city bus routes. The maintenancewould be much much less.
You could accommodate at least 6 to 8 people,
I never see more than 1 person on a bus.
City buses pollute the air have very few riders.
You could eliminate the pollution from the bus exhaust. |
|
TOPIC: Tax break for college grads
Education: Oklahoma college graduate work in state for minimum of 5 years will receive tax break or reduction towards tuition.
Kevin Scoville, P.J. Wells, William McFadden |
|
TOPIC: Sustain economic growth
Sustainable Economic Growth through:
a. Tax incentives- invest in historical areas.
b. Easing of historical regulations.
c. Restructuring of public transportation.
d. Recreation: OKC Trail System- helps tourism and the boathouse.
Kevin Scoville, P.J. Wells, William McFadden |
|
TOPIC: Education ideas
Education:
a. Increase teacher and staff funding through the lottery recommend merit raises rather than term raises.
b. After care programs.
Matt Warren, Kamberly Petete, John Kieschnick, Maria Gadsden, Kevin Hooper |
|
TOPIC: Transportation Ideas
Transportation:
a. Increase tax on oil/gas at pump.
b. More turnpikes.
c. Design/Research of the ground in which they are built.
Matt Warren, Kamberly Petete, John Kieschnick, Maria Gadsden, Kevin Hooper |
|
TOPIC: Fund nutrition classes
Health:
a. Walking/ Biking trails.
b. Incentives to fund nutrition classes/ exercise programs.
Matt Warren, Kamberly Petete, John Kieschnick, Maria Gadsden, Kevin Hooper |
|
TOPIC: Public Transportation
Public Transportation:
a. Light rail between OKC, Tulsa & Lawton.
b. Commuter monorail-esque.
c. Public education campaign.
Ryan Klein, Jamie Carter, Casey Miller, Jamie Maddy |
|
TOPIC: Funding Mechanism
Funding Mechanism:
a. State funding realignment.
b. MAPS for fun.
c. MAPS for rail.
d. Pay as you go.
e. Pike Pass
Ryan Klein, Jamie Carter, Casey Miller, Jamie Maddy |
|
TOPIC: Health improvement
Health improvement:
a. Outdoor activity areas.
b. Walking and bike trails through ethnic areas- think China Town.
c. Enforce motorcycle helmet enforcement- health care cost associated.
Ryan Klein, Jamie Carter, Casey Miller, Jamie Maddy |
|
TOPIC: Public Libraries
We need to increase the state aid funding libraries receive to $2.50 per person. This would enable public libraries to offer more access to computers, more programs including early literacy programs, and improve staffing |
|
TOPIC: Arts as economic development
Look at arts as economic development reverse perception that there is not enough culture in state.
Martha Burger, Jennifer Grigsby, Merrill Williamson |
|
TOPIC: English taught to parents
English taught to all parents of children in public schools.
Martha Burger, Jennifer Grigsby, Merrill Williamson |
|
TOPIC: Helmet requirement
Helmets required for ll motorcycles on public streets.
Martha Burger, Jennifer Grigsby, Merrill Williamson |
|
TOPIC: National finals rodeo
Bring the national finals rodeo back to OKC.
Martha Burger, Jennifer Grigsby, Merrill Williamson |
|
TOPIC: Rural community stability
Rural Community Stability:
School consolidations (districts); commodity promotion.
Sarah Taylor, Lori Byrd, Ronnie Ward, Carol Gaddis |
|
TOPIC: Small Business Incentive
Small Business Incentive:
Increased opportunities, limitations: liabilities/lawsuits; additional tax incentives.
Sarah Taylor, Lori Byrd, Ronnie Ward, Carol Gaddis |
|
TOPIC: Correctional facilities
Correctional facilities- make them work/program.
Darrell Mastin, Bob Henkle, Steve Williams, Jaime Zellow, Rusty Fleming |
|
TOPIC: Flat state tax
Flat state tax- no income tax.
Darrell Mastin, Bob Henkle, Steve Williams, Jaime Zellow, Rusty Fleming |
|
TOPIC: Strengthen University
Strengthen University; ramp up education/vocational; better flamboyant teachers, raise the bar on secondary education.
Darrell Mastin, Bob Henkle, Steve Williams, Jaime Zellow, Rusty Fleming |
|
TOPIC: Privatize or eliminate toll roads
Privatize or eliminate toll roads: Public review of money spread tolls fair to general road fund.
Darrell Mastin, Bob Henkle, Steve Williams, Jaime Zellow, Rusty Fleming |
|
TOPIC: Funding infrastructure for tourism
Funding infrastructure for tourism: funding incentive for infrastructure to bring development in our tourism industry in the same ways that the infrastructure to bring development in our tourism industry in the same ways that the infrastructure in the Mid America Industrial Park has brought development.
Deedee Cox, Debra McGlasson, Janelle Hestland, Gretchen Zumwall-Smith, Larry Hestand, Bret Baker |
|
TOPIC: Clear publication of all public expenditures
Clear, transparent publication of all public expenditures: transparent funding not just made available but required to publish where any public monies spent are used at any level. Made available on the internet.
Deedee Cox, Debra McGlasson, Janelle Hestland, Gretchen Zumwall-Smith, Larry Hestand, Bret Baker |
|
TOPIC: Local Incarceration Centers
Local Incarceration Centers: Local incarceration facilities that partner with community programs to rehabilitate local offenders instead of sending them to DOC.
Deedee Cox, Debra McGlasson, Janelle Hestland, Gretchen Zumwall-Smith, Larry Hestand, Bret Baker |
|
TOPIC: Limit Legislators
Limit legislators to 5 or less bills per session. (That way they have to pick the best ideas)
Deedee Cox, Debra McGlasson, Janelle Hestland, Gretchen Zumwall-Smith, Larry Hestand, Bret Baker |
|
TOPIC: Transportation tax credit
Transportation tax credit or amend Quality Jobs Act to include contribution to public transportation.
Deedee Cox, Debra McGlasson, Janelle Hestland, Gretchen Zumwall-Smith, Larry Hestand, Bret Baker |
|
TOPIC: Satellite learning centers
Higher Education- Satellite learning centers in rural high schools, Tech Centers, and/or other buildings along with the promotion of research at OU & OSU.
Larry Parham, Terry Abercrombie, John Clark, Jim Bailey, Al Beinke, Jalonda Husong, Dana Chouteau, Bruce Johnson |
|
TOPIC: Rural development
Rural Development- Implement a division with ODOC to help rural Oklahoma with the retention & recruitment of industrial and commercial business.
Larry Parham, Terry Abercrombie, John Clark, Jim Bailey, Al Beinke, Jalonda Husong, Dana Chouteau, Bruce Johnson |
|
TOPIC: Compete with other nearby hotspots
Tourism- Designate an area in NE Oklahoma to compete with Rogers/Bentonville, Eureka Springs, AR, Branson, MO, and Kansas City.
Larry Parham, Terry Abercrombie, John Clark, Jim Bailey, Al Beinke, Jalonda Husong, Dana Chouteau, Bruce Johnson |
|
TOPIC: Solar power
Tax incentives for use/installation of solar type powers.
Terry Hendrix, Debbe Hendrix, Mike Thornberry, Molinda Parker, Troy W. Helms, Beverly Helms, Bill Leptich
|
|
TOPIC: Increase biking and walking paths
Increase bike/walking paths similar to what has been instituted around ACC & Sports Centers.
Terry Hendrix, Debbe Hendrix, Mike Thornberry, Molinda Parker, Troy W. Helms, Beverly Helms, Bill Leptich |
|
TOPIC: Mentoring programs for retirees
Mentoring programs as retirees might be able to provide in order to support trade/business education/encouragement.
Terry Hendrix, Debbe Hendrix, Mike Thornberry, Molinda Parker, Troy W. Helms, Beverly Helms, Bill Leptich |
|
TOPIC: Greater access to computer labs
What about allowing greater access to computer labs such as NEO- A&M for students other than college level similar to access for elders?
Terry Hendrix, Debbe Hendrix, Mike Thornberry, Molinda Parker, Troy W. Helms, Beverly Helms, Bill Leptich |
|
TOPIC: O-Epic
O-Epic too narrow financially to provide insurance coverage between Sooner Care- private insurance.
Terry Hendrix, Debbe Hendrix, Mike Thornberry, Molinda Parker, Troy W. Helms, Beverly Helms, Bill Leptich |
|
TOPIC: English as a primary language
English as our primary language! Support teaching of foreign languages but citizenship should be tied to English- prior to providing Social Services.
Terry Hendrix, Debbe Hendrix, Mike Thornberry, Molinda Parker, Troy W. Helms, Beverly Helms, Bill Leptich |
|
TOPIC: Challenging educational materials
Increase challenging educational materials. Virtual education- especially increase summer offerings. What about programs centered around public libraries? Wireless availability for remote areas.
Terry Hendrix, Debbe Hendrix, Mike Thornberry, Molinda Parker, Troy W. Helms, Beverly Helms, Bill Leptich |
|
TOPIC: Eliminate Toll Roads
Eliminate Toll Roads: with road expansion to S&E parts of state.
Rick Rose, Tim McCrary, Berwin and Sherry Kock, Gary Concha Trippensee |
|
TOPIC: Advertise Oklahomas assets
Advertise assets of Oklahoma- attractive liveability: The Opportunity State
Rick Rose, Tim McCrary, Berwin and Sherry Kock, Gary Concha Trippensee |
|
TOPIC: Alternative fuels
Alternative fuels- alcohol fuel plants- coal.
Rick Rose, Tim McCrary, Berwin and Sherry Kock, Gary Concha Trippensee |
|
TOPIC: State wide WI Max
State wide WI Max.
Rick Rose, Tim McCrary, Berwin and Sherry Kock, Gary Concha Trippensee |
|
TOPIC: New energy sources
Promote Oklahoma: New energy sources, research science centers like Research Triangle in NC. The opportunity state, stress wealth creation programs.
Rick Rose, Tim McCrary, Berwin and Sherry Kock, Gary Concha Trippensee |
|
TOPIC: Recycle Program
Recycle Program
Rick Rose, Tim McCrary, Berwin and Sherry Kock, Gary Concha Trippensee |
|
TOPIC: Accessibility to Northeastern Oklahoma
Improve public transportation and accessibility to Northeastern Oklahoma.
Ron Leffler, Walt Jennings, Reta Bates, Carl Metcalf, Bill Skea, Douglas S. Evans, Lynda Redd, Fred Sterne |
|
TOPIC: Teachers salary levels
Teacher's salary levels to national averages.
Ron Leffler, Walt Jennings, Reta Bates, Carl Metcalf, Bill Skea, Douglas S. Evans, Lynda Redd, Fred Sterne |
|
TOPIC: Free Healthcare screenings
Free Healthcare screening (preventive)
Ron Leffler, Walt Jennings, Reta Bates, Carl Metcalf, Bill Skea, Douglas S. Evans, Lynda Redd, Fred Sterne |
|
TOPIC: Museum Complex
Museum Complex- Sports: OSHOF, Gymnastics, Softball, Olympics, NGB's.
Mayor Mick Cornett, Lynne Draper, Craig Lavoie, Dennis Qualls, Bart Conner |
|
TOPIC: Promotion and Pride
Promotion/Pride: Each city/town creates entryway monument- etc. promoting its heritage.
Mayor Mick Cornett, Lynne Draper, Craig Lavoie, Dennis Qualls, Bart Conner |
|
TOPIC: Tax issue for sporting events
Tax issue for sporting events- tickets.
AAU 14 year girls championship; All Big 12 Championships; All NCAA post season events- on campus; OSSAA State Cheerleading Championship.
Bill Meek, Danny Rennels, Stephanie Rempe |
|
TOPIC: Physical Education
More physical education in schools.
Bill Meek, Danny Rennels, Stephanie Rempe |
|
TOPIC: Accessibility to Athletic Facilities
Incentives for year around accessibility to athletic facilities:
3rd party insurance available; people to supervise; people to educate on proper technique, fitness, nutrition; maintenance, utilities.
Bill Meek, Danny Rennels, Stephanie Rempe |
|
TOPIC: Workers Comp
Workers Comp reform in general and in regard to professional sports teams in particular.
Tim Linville, Christie Cook, Ryan High |
|
TOPIC: Sales tax benefits
Expand current sales tax benefits/incentives for teams in leagues to include professional sports association, i.e. PGA, USTA, etc.
Tim Linville, Christie Cook, Ryan High |
|
TOPIC: Olympic sports
Embrace Olympic sports and energize youth of Oklahoma in physical fitness. Olympic training and events.
Kelly McKeown, Ron Radigonda, Shane Hamman, Mike Knopp |
|
TOPIC: World Class Venues
Optimize existing venues and develop new world class venues.
Kelly McKeown, Ron Radigonda, Shane Hamman, Mike Knopp |
|
TOPIC: State Sports Commission
State Sports Commission
Kelly McKeown, Ron Radigonda, Shane Hamman, Mike Knopp |
|
TOPIC: Make OKC the unique city of the NBA
Make OKC the "Green Bay" of the NBA- What it means/ How we make it unique to Oklahoma; Public entity.
Gary Dessardins, Tim Lanier, Renzi Stone, Mike Sherman |
|
TOPIC: Statewide Sports Commission
Statewide Sports Commission- Well funded and highly involved participants- Woman's events/one time events (no minor leagues).
Gary Dessardins, Tim Lanier, Renzi Stone, Mike Sherman |
|
TOPIC: Host the 2020 or 2024 Summer Olympics
Host the 2020 or 2024 Summer Olympics- State Committee funded at $20 million- International attention.
Gary Dessardins, Tim Lanier, Renzi Stone, Mike Sherman |
|
TOPIC: Access to the Courts
Oklahoma should pass a constitutional amendment guaranteeing every Oklahoma citizen the right to have access to the courts. This would give everyone the ability to be compensated if they are negligently harmed. Moreover, this amendment should include a provision that makes it so where a jury award cannot be capped for damages. |
|
TOPIC: Innovation
The Oklahoma Research Institute, a nonprofit , applied research & development organization. Similar to the Soutwest Research Institute of San Antonio, funded by contract research from commercial and govt agency clients. A place where our brightest and best college grads in engineering and applied sciences fields can pursue their dreams of high-tech R&D.
(The applied sciences version of OMRF)
Possible areas of focus:
- Alternative energy sources
- Aeorspace R&D
- Biomedical R&D
- Nanotechnology R&D
|
|
TOPIC: Education
What is the most important goal of reading instruction in Oklahoma’s schools? There are many valid answers; however, I believe there is a foundational goal that must be in place before anything else matters. That goal is JOY. But can we teach joy? Not really. However, putting books at every students’ fingertips would help. Reading self-selected books every day would enable students to develop vocabulary knowledge, enhance their comprehension power, and of course, experience the JOY of reading. Time spent reading is a predictor of students’ school achievement, yet we often drive students away from reading through joyless instruction and testing. So, my idea to promote the joy of reading for Oklahoma students is to provide Pre-K through 12 teachers with fully stocked classroom libraries. Oklahomans who have experienced the joy of reading themselves have an obligation to make that possible for all our children. |
|
TOPIC: roads
highways in and around tulsa are in miserable shape. poor design of interchanges as well as shoddy surfacing couple to create hazardous driving conditions. oklahoma has a low gasoline tax and no vehicle inspection income. perhaps new moneys could be generated to fix our roads. if and when the roads are fixed, it should be a permanent fix. concrete over asphalt, and good lighting should be a must. |
|
TOPIC: education
Merit Pay - How could it possibly ever work in a educational situation. Maybe if I was able to pick the students I want tested and leave out my students who can't read or write, who has no support at home and therefore has no drive to achieve, or omit the students who are drug/alcohol syndrome children with very limited brain activity, and the list goes on and on!
Unlike the guidelines of NCLB, the students that we possess in our classrooms are not clones but come from all different levels in society, and ability. Let's discuss it and figure it all out! |
|
TOPIC: Education
We should have mandatory class sizes in place with no exceptions and with full funding to support it.
K4/K *10 students max.
Gr. 1-3 *15 students max.
Gr. 4-6 *20 students max.
This where it all begins. This would allow more educational time between the student and the teacher! Talk about a educational renaissance. Now this is reform in the right direction, but it will cost! |
|
TOPIC: Gender-segregated education
Hormones begin raging in, approximately, the fifth grade and continue to disrupt education throughout middle school and high school. Why do we allow them such a prominent spoiler role in our educational structure? As a recently-retired secondary teacher, divided-gender classes seem like a "no-brainer" that would cost very little and probably provide the impetus we need to surpass other states and countries on those sacred end-of-year tests! |
|
TOPIC: Prisons
I have read that approximately 60% of Oklahoma prisoners are incarcerated for drug convictions. Why are we not spending corrections money on rehabilitation for these prisoners? One has to believe that a portion of these prisoners would rather be educated about a better way of life and learn a trade to pursue once they are released. Yes, the cost initially would be a bit more, but the savings in early releases for those who complete the program and in reduced recidivism would create a savings in the long term. And think of the difference in lives affected! |
|
TOPIC: Prisons
I have read that a plurality of Oklahoma prisoners are learning-disabled and/or high-school dropouts. Imagine if our state were to spend some of its corrections money on diagnosing and treating/medicating and, through our excellent state Career Tech program, training/educating these prisoners. My bet is that money saved on early release for those successfully completing programs and on reduced recidivism would allow us to break even--at least--on prison costs. Think,too, of the differences in lives this legislative change could make! |
|
TOPIC: Extra-curricular activities
State Superintendent Garrett is proposing extending the school day and school year. Why not have the "core," (academic) subjects in the early part of the day and the extra-curricular activities, such as sports and vocal, etc. in the latter part of the day. Teachers would overlap during the school day so that the hours they work would not be expanded without expanded pay. This proposal would also specify that all extra-curricular competitions be held during extra-curricular hours of the day, so that no academic time was usurped. |
|
TOPIC: Special Education
As a recently retired teacher, I have seen special education students languish in an education environment in which they can't possibly preform because of a lack of psychometrist-testing and placement in a special education class. Schools could hire "floating" psychometrists, if needed, at certain times of the year to correctly place these students. These children a "left behind" for months, at times, because of this problem. |
|
TOPIC: Education: laptop for every child
I would like to see Oklahoma take the lead into the future of education. Utilizing the available online education resources and funding a program to enable students to have a PC/laptop that they can use and work at their own pace...... would free up teachers to help answer questions while all the others are kept busy. It would also enable a health program to be set up so that those who finish work early can sign out and go to the gym or track to work out, or to drama club, or other productive activites...... our youth are spending WAY TOO MUCH TIME WITH NOTHING TO DO in the classrooms!! |
|
TOPIC: Natural Resources & Environment
Utilize Tulsa's former trash to energy plant. I would pay more to ensure this service. Use of landfills is short-sighted! |
|
TOPIC: Economy
Oklahoma is rich in most of the materials that go into the building of an automobile. Oklahoma needs to take advantage of this and build a state-produced automobile. The different levels or qualities of automobile could be named after the different towns and cities of Oklahoma. A fast car could be named after the town of Jet. An affluent car could be named after Tulsa and a car with a western flavor could be named the Oklahoman.
|
|
TOPIC: Criminal Justice/Education
Provide scholarships/financial aid for Criminal Justice majors who agree to serve on local police force or other local criminal justice area for x number of years. |
|
TOPIC: Environment
It takes on average 500 years to produce a 1/4 inch of topsoil. The sooner we as a state, can reclaim this eroded top soil, the sooner it can be returned to producive use.
I submit that the state put in place the appropriate river filters to capture that eroded top soil. That way it cn be returned back to the farmer before it is exposed to brackish (salt) water and contaminated.
|
|
TOPIC: Education
Teacher Merit pay should mirror that of industry. The teacher is responsible for turning out a quality product. That is the bottom line. Sure, they may work on an "assembly line" with more than one teacher being responsible for each student along their educational progression. So, how do we measure teacher success? That is the tough question! How do we measure success? It used to be how we positively influenced our community. Now, with the influence of New York-based media and foreign money making, it has seemingly become just making money. But given that, put each Teacher on a merit system based on successful students! When the students pay their state and national income tax, a small percent goes back to the teacher! So, as the student pays more taxes as a productive member of society, the teacher will make more money! On the other side, if the teacher turns out a weak or inferior student "product", they will receive less pay.
|
|
TOPIC: Criminal Justice
Provide subsidies, rebates or other incentives for police officers who reside in areas with high crime rates. |
|
TOPIC: Economy
Build more hydro-electric Dams. There have been no new Hydro-electric Dams built since the 1940's. This is insane. Austria for example, gets over 70% of it's electric energy from Hydro-electric dams. Hydro-electric energy is renewable and does not require nuclear energy, Using it is a no-brainer, unless you are in the pocket of the oil company.
|
|
TOPIC: Economy
With the on-going Base realignment activities of the Federal government, it only makes sense that Oklahoma offer Western Oklahoma as the new site for some of the realigned bases. For example, the U. S. Marine Corps (USMC) is moving a base from Okinawa, Japan. Oklahoma should make every effort to make that move to Western Okahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Economy
Use prison labor to widen the North Canadian River From Lake Eufaula to Norman and build the appropriate dams and locks to allow barge traffic to travel from the greater Oklahoma City area to the Mississippi River transportation system much like the current system to Catoosa. We have to pay for the prisoners, they might as well work for the greater good.
|
|
TOPIC: Ecomony
For two years now we have listened to the big oil corporations say that they had to raise gasoline prices to the consumers because they had not built a new oil refinery in 20 plus years. Duh! Oklahoma must build new refineries so that we can reap the profit of the Spring changeover from "Winter to Summer" oil refining at the least! It is insane that Oklahoma does not do so. Gasoline could be back to 87 cents a gallon like it was with Governor Keating if we became proactive about this. To not address this is criminal.
|
|
TOPIC: Insurance
In years past, Car insurance was not mandatory for Oklahoma auto drivers. In lieu of insurance, you could show that you had sufficient money to pay for an auto accident instead. Now that it has become mandatory to have Car insurance, it must also be mandatory for the State of Oklahoma to offer a Car insurance policy program, much like they do for state employees. Currently, millions of dollars are leaving the state to pay into out-of-state car insurance programs. When you look at the disaster in Louisiana with Hurricane Rita, Locally state-based insurance is the best course of action.
|
|
TOPIC: State Fair
Bring back the distribution of free tickets to the Oklahoma State Fair for school-age children. They will often-times not get to go without them.
|
|
TOPIC: Colleges and Universities
Make ReachHigher, Oklahoma's degree completion program, accessible to those with associate degrees. |
|
TOPIC: Healthier Oklahomans/Education
Fund a program at high schools across the state..."THE BIGGEST WINNER" model it after the TV Progarm "THE BIGGEST LOSER". Provide media coverage, coaches, nutritionists, etc. and make sure the winners get the recognition they deserve..... let them out of classes early to work out after they get their work done..... would give them incentive to apply themselves in school also!!
|
|
TOPIC: Public Transportation
Improving flight schedules out of Tulsa International Airport. when I have to travel to the east coast or west coast, the flight schedules are horrific! Oklahoma is smack in the middle of the country and we need to make it lucrative for businesses to establish offices by making travel to the east and west easier! |
|
TOPIC: Add color to roadways
Let's borrow an idea from our neighbors in New Mexico and paint highway overpasses (especially on major highways and in metro areas) with pleasing pastel colors. These ugly concrete structures, often stained with rust and dirt, can be made more eye-friendly with this relatively simple solution. |
|
TOPIC: National Response Plan
As directed by President Bush, the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) has written a new National Response Plan (in secret). According to some who have seen the plan, DHS will hold state and local governments responsible for the immediate response to natural and/or terrorist-caused disasters. The DHS objective is to shift any blame for failures away from the federal government. All this is in response to documented federal failures to effectively respond to 9/11 and Katrina disasters. Rather than seek solutions, DHS (under Bush) seeks a way to "shift" the blame when the federal goverment again fails in its disaster response efforts. Oklahoma needs to prepare to counter this "blame-game." |
|
TOPIC: Mural
Hire a team of graffiti artists to cover up the eyesore of a mural running along the overpass parallel to E.K. Gaylord Boulevard. This is not a joke. Whatever hodgepodge, mashed-up group of hack painters put that thing together should be ashamed of themselves. The kids' faces look like troll dolls, and the "celebrities" look like cartoon parodies of the real thing. Furthermore, the blatant disregard for historical accuracy flies in the face of how the colonialists treated ethnic minorities at the time. |
|
TOPIC: clean air
We should require the car inspections we had in previous years. It really does help curtail the spewing of nasty exhaust pollutants from ill maintained cars. |
|
TOPIC: Children
My husband and I visited the State Fair yesterday (Thursday) evening. Upon leaving at 9:00 pm, we noticed hoards of families just arriving - with their young preschool and school-aged children. Bad enough on the weekend, but this was a weeknight! Those little ones needed to be home in bed, not on their way to 3 hours of games and rides.
My idea is to have a campaign to encourage parents to give their children a good night's sleep. We have public information messages and billboards promoting breast feeding and our schools have a nutrition program; we often hear about the benefits of physical exercise, and kids get some sort of PE throughout school. Now we need to expand the emphasis on childhood health to include the importance of rest. How can our children learn when they're either too tired to pay attention or kept out of school altogether so their parents can have fun? |
|
TOPIC: mojo
Legalize prostitution and drugs
with the stipulation of lower taxes
charge a large luxury tax on such items
this will increase tax revenue
which in turn will allow the state of Oklahoma to tax me less
|
|
TOPIC: Traffic fines
Follow Governor Keatings idea to put a cap on traffic fines. Some of them are becoming ridiculous. They are needlessly putting at risk the well-being of low-income families who have to decide between paying high traffic fines or putting food on their children's table.
Use Governor Keatings model of a $20 fine on failure to use seat belts for example.
The police will be able to write plenty of tickets and make the same amount of money.
Use the failure of Virginia with their excessive traffic fine cost on their citizens as an example of how not to conduct this.
|
|
TOPIC: School and church community buses
Utilize school, church community buses to provide transportation fund.
a. School buses for local/district.
b. Church buses for metro.
Jackie Jones, Theresa Hamrick, Jason Price, Jean Jones, Kathleen Kennedy, Sue Barkley, Dana Hope Chism |
|
TOPIC: Tire tax
Tire tax, seat belt fine, dedicated to ongoing transportation fund.
Jackie Jones, Theresa Hamrick, Jason Price, Jean Jones, Kathleen Kennedy, Sue Barkley, Dana Hope Chism |
|
TOPIC: Social networking sites used for car-pooling
Match.com- Find transportation rides on internet.
Jackie Jones, Theresa Hamrick, Jason Price, Jean Jones, Kathleen Kennedy, Sue Barkley, Dana Hope Chism |
|
TOPIC: Car-pooling
Develop extensive car-pooling system.
Jackie Jones, Theresa Hamrick, Jason Price, Jean Jones, Kathleen Kennedy, Sue Barkley, Dana Hope Chism |
|
TOPIC: Use existing facilities for light rail
To start: Use existing rail facilities for light rail.
Jim Swenson, Denise Hines, O. Gail Poole, Don Grissom, Wanda Jo Stapleton, Wallace Collins |
|
TOPIC: Save Union Station rail yard
Saving Union Station Rail Yard: Funding- do repairs on cross-town and use money for new highway to pay for improving bus services/buses/improve Amtrack.
Jim Swenson, Denise Hines, O. Gail Poole, Don Grissom, Wanda Jo Stapleton, Wallace Collins |
|
TOPIC: Reuse OKC Union Stations Rail yard
Preserve and reuse OKC Union Station's rail yard as Oklahoma's Transit and Transportation Center.
a. This is the last Grand Rail yard in the west with all it's original space intact.
b. It is irreplaceable.
c. Rebuild the existing I 40 cross-town in place.
d. Develop local, regional, and statewide transit in a multimodal from work from OKC Union Station.
Doug Vincent, Marisa New, Tom Elmore, Karen Elmore, Erin Elmore, Glenn Elmore |
|
TOPIC: Guarantee better roads
Guarantee better roads (not worse). Accurately, uniformly recover costs of road use from each user:
a. Mandate a comprehensive equity ratio based highway cost allocation study (HCAS) to definitively determine the costs.
b. Using the findings of that study, reform user fee recovery.
c. Separate "taxes" from verifiable user fees.
d. Fund a blanket of motor carrier size, weight, safety and security enforcement.
e. Promote intermodal connectivity.
Doug Vincent, Marisa New, Tom Elmore, Karen Elmore, Erin Elmore, Glenn Elmore |
|
TOPIC: OKC and Tulsa Regional Transit Authorities
Enable OKC and Tulsa Regional transit authorities:
Receive revenues from cities/suburbs, coordinate routes from residential areas to destinations (work, shopping, entertainment)
Doug Vincent, Marisa New, Tom Elmore, Karen Elmore, Erin Elmore, Glenn Elmore |
|
TOPIC: Tax credits
Tax credits- Tax deduction or something: incentives can be provided to employers to pay for transit passes to decrease.
Doug Vincent, Marisa New, Tom Elmore, Karen Elmore, Erin Elmore, Glenn Elmore |
|
TOPIC: Map 3 Project
Would like to have our communities more accessible to people of all abilities (focusing on sidewalks, shelters, crosswalks, curb cut ramps, etc.). The Map 3 project will address these needs? Have consumer-citizen involvement, people with disabilities with at least three people with three different types of disabilities sitting on the design advisory panel.
Doug Vincent, Marisa New, Tom Elmore, Karen Elmore, Erin Elmore, Glenn Elmore |
|
TOPIC: Coordinated Transportation Plan
Fund operations of coordinated transportation plan.
Leisa Haynes, Mark Pritchard, Patrick Fox, Corey Wright, Candon Norton |
|
TOPIC: High speed rail between OKC and Tulsa
High speed rail between OKC and Tulsa on Turner Turnpike right of way (150 mph).
Leisa Haynes, Mark Pritchard, Patrick Fox, Corey Wright, Candon Norton |
|
TOPIC: Private business participation
Encourage private business to participate programs like "commuter choice" to encourage use of public transit (incentive).
Leisa Haynes, Mark Pritchard, Patrick Fox, Corey Wright, Candon Norton |
|
TOPIC: Urban Rail
Urban rail for Tulsa and OKC:
Use existing rail corridors, to increase choice ridership, shift public opinion, state support.
Leisa Haynes, Mark Pritchard, Patrick Fox, Corey Wright, Candon Norton |
|
TOPIC: Local Dedicated Funding Source for Public Transit
Establish by local option vote a small millage property tax, or a half-cent sales tax earmarked for public transportation operations and capital needs. In OKC, we get the "equivalent" of a 10th of a penny, but it comes out of the City general fund, so we have a pretty small transit system. For example, Ft. Worth, K.C. MO, Albuquerque, Tucson, & others have a half-cent (or less) of city of multi-city dedicated sales tax. Austin, Denver, Dallas, & others are at a full penny. Omaha & others use the property tax. Some regions have other sources.
Leisa Haynes, Mark Pritchard, Patrick Fox, Corey Wright, Candon Norton |
|
TOPIC: Multi-jurisdictional transit districts
Establish multi-jurisdictional transit districts with taxing/funding authority.
Leisa Haynes, Mark Pritchard, Patrick Fox, Corey Wright, Candon Norton |
|
TOPIC: Tax incentives for private sector
Tax deduction and incentives for private sector subsidies for public transit.
Cody Ponder, Kris Glenn, Howard Cremeans, Tim Armer, Dan Quinn, Dale Tremper |
|
TOPIC: Transit funding
Dedicated transit funding from vehicle registration fees and alcohol taxes to provide economic and social benefits to all Oklahomans.
Cody Ponder, Kris Glenn, Howard Cremeans, Tim Armer, Dan Quinn, Dale Tremper |
|
TOPIC: Coordination between transportation systems
Coordination between bus, rail and pedestrian transit in current and future development.
Cody Ponder, Kris Glenn, Howard Cremeans, Tim Armer, Dan Quinn, Dale Tremper. |
|
TOPIC: Public awareness for transportation
Promote public awareness/education for public transportation.
Scott Ellis, Jennone Quintero, Pam Henry, Steven Stokes, William Guinn |
|
TOPIC: 25 mile sales tax
Vote on 25 mile sales tax earmarked for public transportation operations.
Scott Ellis, Jennone Quintero, Pam Henry, Steven Stokes, William Guinn |
|
TOPIC: Liability insurance
Reduce liability insurance rates for public transportation entities.
Scott Ellis, Jennone Quintero, Pam Henry, Steven Stokes, William Guinn |
|
TOPIC: On-demand van service
On-demand van service needed. Private-public partnership with metro transportation.
William Dickinson, Linda Dickinson, Nancy Navalta, Harold Spake |
|
TOPIC: Community Hotline
Community Hotline for "Residential to Commercial" paths for foot traffic (i.e. Crown Heights to Bell Isle shopping center). With volunteer to walk out those paths suggest routes and identify accessibility needs. Foot traffic would also include disabled (wheelchairs, walkers).
William Dickinson, Linda Dickinson, Nancy Navalta, Harold Spake |
|
TOPIC: Fund transit
Encourage all counties to fund transit at a rate of at least $4.00 per capita: $10.00 capita in urban counties. Create an honor roll of counties that do.
Sally Gunn, Susan Potter, Courtney Wilson, Michelle Scott, Marge Jantzen, Larry Hopper |
|
TOPIC: Visual ads for vans and buses
Promote visual advertising on transit vans and buses even in rural counties. As means of funding.
Sally Gunn, Susan Potter, Courtney Wilson, Michelle Scott, Marge Jantzen, Larry Hopper |
|
TOPIC: Medical groups
Medical "groups" (clinics, hospitals) get tax credit for "challenge grants" for funding non-emergency medical trips (curb to curb)
Sally Gunn, Susan Potter, Courtney Wilson, Michelle Scott, Marge Jantzen, Larry Hopper |
|
TOPIC: Usage Coordination for Vehicles
School buses, church vans, and "5310" vans usage needs better coordination during off hours, and solve insurance obstacles- county by county.
Sally Gunn, Susan Potter, Courtney Wilson, Michelle Scott, Marge Jantzen, Larry Hopper |
|
TOPIC: HOV Lane
HOV Lane for Oklahoma's interstates.
Turner Mann, James Crowder, Salem Qureshi, Germaine Odenheimer, Al Guy |
|
TOPIC: Shuttle bus
Shuttle bus hub (high speed on rail right of way)
Turner Mann, James Crowder, Salem Qureshi, Germaine Odenheimer, Al Guy |
|
TOPIC: Volunteer drivers
Legislation to protect volunteer drivers.
Turner Mann, James Crowder, Salem Qureshi, Germaine Odenheimer, Al Guy |
|
TOPIC: Funding for light rail
$4 billion comprehensive light rail system- 150 mile network.
Suzette McDowell, Steven Feist, Phil Hughes, Martha Shoemaker, John McDowell |
|
TOPIC: Propane and electric connectivity
Small community routes propane or electric Inter-Connectivity Network.
Suzette McDowell, Steven Feist, Phil Hughes, Martha Shoemaker, John McDowell |
|
TOPIC: Inter-State Rail
Future connectivity to inter-state rail.
Suzette McDowell, Steven Feist, Phil Hughes, Martha Shoemaker, John McDowell |
|
TOPIC: Transportation System
Gas costs are high, metro bus service does not serve the suburbs or is not a viable solution. I have a business plan for a public transportation system that is more efficient, faster, timely and reliable while being very affordable to the consumers first, then to the city while generating revenue in tax dollars for the county. Sorry unless you sign an NDA I cannot give the details here yet. |
|
TOPIC: Turnpike fees
We need to finally rid oursleves of the turnpike fees and make these highways free to travel on (especially the ones that connect major cities, like Tulsa to Oklahoma City, Tulsa to Joplin, Tulsa to Dallas, etc). Tulsa is an island that is isolated from the country due to turnpikes. One must pay money to drive on any major highway outside of the city of Tulsa. The turnpike fees hamper economic development and restrict small towns along them from sustaining meaningful growth. We also need to connect Tulsa to Oklahoma City via Amtrak service, allowing for more public transportation between the two cities. |
|
TOPIC: education/college
The cost of college textbooks is huge for students and families paying for college. I attended Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, who had and still has a textbook rental program for all undergraduate students. Fees were paid each semester and we received our texts. I think the regents should look into this option for our colleges and university--especialy for general ed courses. |
|
TOPIC: Surrounding Neighborhoods With Walls
I think all new neighborhoods should be required to have some sort of solid wall around the outside running along the streets. There are too many developments where they end up with broken down picket fencing. There are too many developments where they end up with 10 types of picket fencing along the street. If the developments were required to put up brick walls or something similar, then this problem would be fixed. Existing neighborhoods with this problem should be dealt with also, it really drags the city down, especially when you have a nice well kept neighborhood right next to one that is run down. |
|
TOPIC: Healthier Oklahomans
Oklahoma has one of the most overweight populations in this country and on the planet. Set a voluntary goal for each city to reduce its overweight citizenry by 30%, then implement a long-term dynamic media campaign on TV and through our schools that encourages healthier eating, a variety of fitness alternatives, and daily physical fitness periods for pre-k thru 12 students. Provide incentives (through public recognition and/or other means) and let's make Oklahoma a model for other states to follow, then watch as relative health care costs decrease and productivity rises in our state. |
|
TOPIC: Traffic Control
We need cameras at many intersections, such as they have in the U.K.
People are regularly running red lights by trying to beat yellow lights. It is extremely dangerous to cross traffic and I see it every day. Traffic cameras which take a picture of the offending car and its tag number so a ticket can be mailed to the owner, seems to have a great effect in Scotland, I know. Points are given, in addition to large fines, and after a certain number of points, drivers licenses are cancelled. Very few speeders or red light runners drive under those circumstances. These could be used on many city streets and highways to good advantage. |
|
TOPIC: Health and Education
I think in order for Oklahomans to be the best they can be we need to be healthy and educated. If we have those two things we will be able to successfully move into the future. |
|
TOPIC: Too Many Elections
We just had a county commissioner's election in Oklahoma County, and NO ONE I talked with had heard about it.
I believe we have way too many elections in this state, and I believe that is partly due to certain special interest groups NOT wanting a high turnout.
I suggest that ALL elections, city, county, state and federal, be held in March or November. That way, people can sort of count on going to the ballot box twice a year -- not five or six times -- and they will pay attention to what is being proposed.
Sara Jo Odom |
|
TOPIC: identifying child abuse and neglect
Legislation passed within the last two years mandating training for school teachers and day care workers to learn more about child abuse and neglect. Unfortunately my fear is it has ended up being more videos for them to study and not real dialogue about the issue. But, at least it is an awareness and hopefully school districts and daycare facilities will see the importance and make it more than a video training. |
|
TOPIC: Image
While visiting Ok that past weekend, I noticed so many abandoned cars on the roadways. Oklahoma should do something about people leaving abandoned cars longer than say 24 hours. All those cars makes the city look tacky and trashy. |
|
TOPIC: cost of living
Publicize the cost of living in Oklahoma compared to the coastal states. People don't know how much a dollar buys in Oklahoma compared to a dollar in California or any other coastal state.
Don't give incentives to big businesses. Employee pressure to relocate to a state where they get more for their money will be incentive to the corporations. |
|
TOPIC: Victim's Impact Clinic
Could we make it mandatory that before anyone is allowed to receive a driver's license they have to attend a Victim's Impact Clinic.
It might make an impression on young minds and make them think twice before drinking and drive which would lower accident counts, insurance rates and save lives. |
|
TOPIC: Handicap Tax
Remove the "handicap tax" on hearing aids. There is no state or local tax on eye glasses. Why should a person who is hard-of-hearing be taxed on hearing aids? Hearing aids that cost a total of $4,000 will be taxed in the amount of $335. Legislators must eliminate the tax as it is a tax because a person is handicapped. |
|
TOPIC: Boxing gloves for chickens
Former Senator Frank Shurden has a plan to make cockfighting humane by putting vests and boxing gloves on chickens and allowing them to spar. This should be in the top 10 of 100 ideas.
"To me it answers everything. It saves the industry, takes blood sport out and generates revenue for Oklahoma," Shurden said. source: http://www.ambrosiasw.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=92213 |
|
TOPIC: vehicle tags via online
The time and cost it takes to renew tags in Oklahoma is horrible. The tag agents utilize the internet to verify the vehicle and insurance information so why can't the purchaser also use the internet in the same manner and renew their own tags?
It is a standing joke concerning the amount of time the average person loses when obtaining a new sticker. Four vehicles mean four long extended trips to your "local tag agency" during your working hours. Bosses do not like that.
Tag agents have been around forever but that does not mean it is the "only way" to renew your tags. We don't need them any longer, maybe with them out of the loop, tag costs could be reduced accordingly.
Why can't Oklahoma step into the future by leading with new technology instead of following after other states implement the renewal process! Let's start here and set an example for others to follow. |
|
TOPIC: Water
Shawnee needs more water for these $300,000 homes, yards, swimming pools, industry, malls and restaurants. I think the mafia deal in oklahoma city by redoing the north canadian river into Oklahoma River for water sports and recreation is good.
if Shawnee could dam up the river at Dale and clean out about 1/2 mile wide and put locks and
generator for electric and a pump at Shawnee Twin Lakes to fill them at that dam. by walling the river banks on each side all the way to Econtuska bridge, there could be enough water for Shawnee, Tecumseh, Meeker, Seminole and Prague.
They could call it Shawnee River
Tulsa is working on the Arkansas river from keyston dam to Broken Arrow. It would create a lot of jobs and help Shawnee and Pott. County for years to come. |
|
TOPIC: Centennial Commission
The Centennial Commission has been in BIG ($$) Business for several years now.
Once we get past 2007, I think 30 days is sufficient to close the offices and stop paying those big salaries, office space rents, and events.
If you have any information on when they close I would appreciate knowing.
Thanks. |
|
TOPIC: roads & driver behavior; energy resources
I would like to see the state of Oklahoma invest money in repairing roads and bridges throughout the state. In addition to that I would like to see the state create an educational campaign on teaching drivers the rules of the road and courteous driver behavior. Using blinkers when changing lanes is a rule of the road AND a courteous behavior. I have lived in Oklahoma since 1996 and have noticed that this is something that is very much needed.
I would also like to see Oklahoma lead the nation in the development and implementation of renewable energy resources such as wind and solar energy. We have an abundance of both of those resources.
Thank you for this opportunity! What a great idea! |
|
TOPIC: Bring in Money!
Being strategically place in the center of the United States would make Oklahoma PRIME proerty for a syndicated amusement park. (Six Flags, Disney) They can be sold the idea to invest the money here, making their park more accessible to more people. |
|
TOPIC: Clean up
Provide the opportunity annually for small communities to get rid of junk that has accummulated for free. Elderly and poor are overwhelmed with junk and don't know how to get it gone. Oklahoma is a beautiful state but we have many poor communities that are over run with junk. Texas has figured this one out. |
|
TOPIC: Military Retirees
Offer incentives for military retirees to remain in or move to the state. Tax breaks etc. coupled with the recreation available would make this a great place for this group to live and play. Military retirees have health insurance and a guaranteed income. |
|
TOPIC: education
I distain bureaucratic/political status quo!!!!!! Do not compare oklahoma with anything or
any one! Let the rest of the world do that.
1) All state universities should be required to offer A/A degrees on the internet for *free to
state high school residents with qualifing grades.
2) Colledge textbooks should be available on line to college students.State investigations
should launched into the practice of overpricing and the so called changes of the texts which
make the previous two year old text book somehow obsolete in order to sell new ones.
3) Leadership positions in our college and universities are degraded by the vugarity of the
staff and especially the class teachers. Petty...not when tax dollars are used. These personel
do represent the state and people of oklahoma and these students should have the best
enviroment in which to learn,not just brick and paint!
* or a very modest fee |
|
TOPIC: Health Education for Every Students
If we want our young people to be prepared for the future, to make wise decisions regarding their mind and bodies, we need to educate them starting in Kindergarten and each grade thereafter with Health Education in every school in Oklahoma. I recommend that health education be taught to EVERY student Kdg through grade 12 in every school building. Other states do this with qualified textbooks and no student misses out on basic life skills they need to be successful in life! |
|
TOPIC: solar power initiative
some surrounding states have legislated solar power initiatives (eg: Colorado). I believe that Colorado has mandated that energy providers utilize solar power as part of their energy generation plan. I believe that the initiative has a goal that solar resources provide 4% of the power requirements. Part of this plan provides rebates and other incentives to the consumer (home owner) to become part of the power grid by installing residential solar panels and other equipment required for energy production and transmission to the power grid. This would save the energy company from having to build massive, expensive and polluting energy stations. Both benefiting the consumer and the producer.
Oklahoma would be an excellent candidate for solar production. A clean and renewable resource that is readily accessible.
Just an idea.
|
|
TOPIC: Boots on the School Ground
Support the "Boots on the School Ground" program to train retired military personnel to be teachers. |
|
TOPIC: Child Abuse
We need to have a program that educates all teachers and daycare center workers of early signs of child abuse. No child that is being abused at home should have to suffer such a horrible trama. Unfortunatly there are many cases in our state to study. Maybe it should be a class that teachers have to take to become a teacher. |
|
TOPIC: Recycling
I think that the State of Oklahoma should implement a tax break for citizens who recycle. Use those blue recycling bins and bi-weekly place it next to the curb for pick up. The recycling company keeps track of each household/citizen who participates and receives a substantial credit based on the amount and consistency of your recycling habits. At the end of the year that credit is applied towards state income taxes. |
|
TOPIC: Recycling
This state needs a comprehensive recycling program! We are so good at other "green" things - like wind power - why are we lagging behind the rest of the country on recycling??? It is shameful! We need recycling, not more landfills! |
|
TOPIC: Identity
I think we should wean ourselves from the motto of "The Sooner State" in favor of "Native America" -officially- for two reasons. The Sooners were so-named because they were law-breakers. Secondly, I do not think that the term is inclusive enough. I've been asked by men from other states whether I'm a "Sooner" or a "Cowboy". I have to respond that it depends, and then go into explanation. I feel that as we begin to obtain a grasp on who we are as a state, the term "Native America" addresses our history, our land, and our people.
Joseph A. Burks SK1(SW) USN (Ret.) |
|
TOPIC: Parenting Aid
If a women is pregnant and needs goverment aid, they should be required to take parenting classes. Their are to many low income family's that have children and not enough resources to help them parent correctly. |
|
TOPIC: DHS
DHS has to tighten up the controll on home daycares. At this time they do blind visits once every three months to all daycares, including centers. Home daycares should be visited once a month at a minimum. DHS says that there is a fine line when dealing with home daycares as to not be intrucive. If a person is going to have a home daycare the safety of the children has to come before privacy. Baby monitors have to be a must if a child is sleeping out of sight. There should also be locks on tiolets and doors to the bathrooms should be kept shut if a child is in a room sleeping next to a bathroom. |
|
TOPIC: Death Penalty
Abolish the death penalty! Instead, make life sentences the really mean life -- no possibility of parole. Wouldn't the knowledge that one would spend the rest of one's life behind bars be a worse punishment than death? |
|
TOPIC: illegal immigration
get rid of ALL illegal immigrants! punish companies that hire them. |
|
TOPIC: prayer in school
reinstate prayer in school. since prayer was taken out of school teen pregnancy, drug use, violence, etc....crimes of all sort has risen. More kids profess to be gay, lesbian or bisexual than you can imagine. We need prayer back in our schools. |
|
TOPIC: guns/protection
Make Oklahoma an Open Carry state. Make it so any person, other than those prohibited for obvious reasons, can carry a weapon concealed or open without retribution. |
|
TOPIC: Student Discipline
The State must support schools and districts by developing strong, legal support regarding student discipline. We must give districts the ability to put student behavior squarely onto the shoulders of the parents. If a child is unruly on a daily basis they should not be allowed to participate in public education. An unruly child can ruin the entire school year for an entire classroom of children. We must untie the hands of principals, teachers, and districts to allow them to expel or otherwise permanently remove a problem student for the betterment of an entire class or the entire school. School administrators should be held accountable by annual teacher survey regarding student discipline. |
|
TOPIC: Mandatory School Uniforms
Let's have mandatory school uniforms for all children through the 8th grade. This would save families tons of money and tons of hassel getting ready in the morning. This would be a godsend for low income students who can not afford the "in" styles. This would eliminate hours of teacher time spent monitoring student outfits for appropriateness and gang symbols. It would send a strong message that in Oklahoma students will be focused on learning while at school and not on who is wearing what. Students would develop personal identity through their interests, skills, and personalities rather than through superficial clothing styles. |
|
TOPIC: teacher merit pay
Teacher merit pay ought to include a variety of components and not simply test scores. It could include teacher attendance and tardiness. Hours spent in training, college courses, or leading training and in-services. Volunteer hours tutoring children or other extra-curricular activities with students after school hours. The "test score" portion of evaluation should be based on a pre-test, post-test of PASS skills of THE SAME BODY OF STUDENTS! A teacher who unluckily gets a class having 2 non-English speakers, one major discipline problem that is ignored by a weak Principal, and 2 should-be-in-Special Ed.- but- parents won't- sign -the- papers should not be held to the same standards as a teacher who gets a model class of students. Safeguards must be put into place to protect the good teachers who get a crappy class. |
|
TOPIC: Medical Schools
Increase the size of medical schools by three or four times what they are now.
Make tuition high enough to make it self sufficient, so it costs us nothing. There are plenty of people now who are paying to go to foreign medical schools that would gladly pay for ours.
This will bring many high paying jobs to the state due to the increased faculty.
Additionally, it would eventually help to drive down the cost of medical care. There are plenty of people who would make fine doctors and who would be willing to do it for less than the million a year many are making now.
Money spent on medical care adds nothing, it just preserves the status quo. It is a waste of our resources.
|
|
TOPIC: rail service
I think it would be wonderful if there were a way to establish passenger rail service between Oklahoma City and Tulsa and other cities with different regions of the state like McAlester in Southeastern Oklahoma. It is my belief that this would be helpful for both tourism and business purposes. |
|
TOPIC: NFL Team
i think we should get a nfl team. |
|
TOPIC: Animal Overpopulation
Oklahoma suffers from pervasive overpopulation of dogs and cats, bringing untold suffering to unwanted animals, lowering the quality of life for humans and burdening municipal governments with animal control costs and private donors who support relief efforts. There is an Animal Friendly vehicle license tag, for which individuals pay a nondeductible 35 dollar, resulting in a 20 dollar contribution to a fund to subsidize spay/neuter services for pets of low income pet owners, but tag sales have been limited. As the sterilization of pets is well recognized as a necessity to control pet overpopulation, the Legislature should devise methods to increase the sterilization of companion animals. Tax credits could be given to individuals who sterilize their pet, to veterinarians who offer low cost pet sterilization to low income Oklahomans, to individuals who charitably support spay/neuter programs for pets of low income owners. |
|
TOPIC: Attract Oklahoma's artists back
Let's follow what Branson, MO. has done we have alot of musical artist from our state, such as Reba McIntire, Toby Keith, the list is long. Let the state and city of OKC provide them with theaters in the Bricktown area to preform their shows. Let's bring these people back to our state, and at the same time bring in a great deal of tourism. |
|
TOPIC: Adopt the flat tax
I would like to know if a flat rate tax has been considered for our state. In my opinion, our state would benefit, as the tax would be more equitable to all. Rather than a set dollar amount, the rate would be a percentage of the total income, revenues, and monies.
For example, if I make $10.00, $1.00 would be the tax, and if I make $1,000,000.00, the tax would be $100,000.00.
Thank you for allowing me this input.
Tracy L. Horner |
|
TOPIC: Tourism
We need to take advantage of our strengths. Why don't we have ANY resorts? I think we need something similar to what san antonio has in the hill country hyatt. (http://hillcountry.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp?icamp=sanhcredirect1) Why can't we have some huge regional draw like that in the Arbuckle Mountains, or along the Talimena Scenic Drive? Sure, there are small lodges and cabins to rent that draw the local people, but I'm talking about thinking big on a large scale project to include a resort tucked away in a scenic area with pools, lazy river, golf, wildlife, etc, You then would market this to Dallas and OKC heavily at first, and let word of mouth spread to the rest of Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas.... |
|
TOPIC: Use road maintenance money on roads!
+All the talk about light-rail systems fail to identify the source of the money. In nearly all the past projects of this type, "someone" in government gets the idea to tap into the Highways fund. This is counter-productive, to say the least. It's not the job of taxpayers at any level to build bike/hiking trails, parks, rail or bus service with money collected to maintain roads, yet that's historically what happens! We look at the MN I-35W collapse, and yet, our own roads are among the worst in the country! We all buy goods which arrive by road, so beware of "pie-in-the-sky" dream projects, unless you know where the $$$$$ is to come from! Any improvements, no matter how desireable, have a price. Are you ready to pay for it?
|
|
TOPIC: Allow commerce along the turnpikes
Open up the land adjacent to all of the turnpikes for commercial development to allow those towns along the turnpikes to reap benefit through the sales taxes. |
|
TOPIC: Get rid of the state income tax
Get rid of the State Income Tax. More retired citizens would stay in Oklahoma if this was
an option. With more buy outs in large companys your retired citizens are going to be coming
into alot of money. It would be an asset to the state if they would stay in Oklahoma. More
large companys would come back to the state which would bring in more jobs.
|
|
TOPIC: Health care
Oklahoma already pays for a staggering 40% of all the children living in our state and 58% of all pregnancies. The list goes on and on. What we need is a way to streamline the system to allow for a greater cost savings which eases the burden on all of the citizens. By use of web-based technology Medicaid and DHS could potentially save millions by reducing or eliminating duplicate testing, doctor shopping and duplication of medications, just to name a few. The technology already exists. The Oklahoma based company; OnlineMedsource, Inc. offers these cost savings features and more. Adopting such protocols would not only save our great state money, it can actually save lives. |
|
TOPIC: Education Extension Program
Develop an Education Extension Program similar to the Agricultural Extension Program that would spread successful programs throughout the state, collect information on good practices going on in the state, use technology to the utmost in dissemination of up-to-date information and materials, and create a few centers where educators, parents, citizens, legislators could get information on a range of excellent ideas. The EEP could also become a force in teacher inservice education. |
|
TOPIC: police
We need to treat our citizens better as well as visitors! Get rid of local police speed traps that prey on out of towners. Maybe one way to get rid of speed traps is to have two different divisions of police force. That way no ones home is getting robbed because the local cop is radaring trying to earn his pay check. Mimic New York, just have traffic police, and have law enforcement officers that protect us. Everyone knows that crime in Tulsa is becoming a problem. Oklahoma City is also becoming increasingly unruly. In addition to possibly making two divisions of police, get rid of some of the officers and have less that get paid more. How do you expect to get rid of all the drug issues if a good number of cops smoke dope themselves? Increasing their income allows for more demand, more demand allows for better quality cops, and better quality cops results in actual decreased crime! |
|
TOPIC: taxes
I'm in the military. I have considered becoming a Texas resident for tax purposes and to retire there one day. But being born and raised for 18 years in Oklahoma I love my home. But yet I still struggle with paying nearly $200 a month to a state that I feel is not spending their large tax revenues smartly. On top of that, Oklahoma has one of the largest sales taxes I've seen in my travels. Teachers are at risk of losing their retirements! Roads are degrading and bridges falling! Yet our government felt that building a dome on the capitol building was a better idea! I realize that our state needs pride. We need to be okies once again. Allow military to not pay state taxes while they actively serve as a growing many other states allow. We are losing our pride of kindness and friendliness. Now that our guard is going to be activated, why don't we help our citizens out with a little less work at tax season each year? |
|
TOPIC: Light Rail
Build a light rail system connecting Tulsa to Oklahoma City with extensions to various locations within each city itself such as the airports, suburbs, entertainment districts and Malls.. |
|
TOPIC: phaseout of death tax and income tax
Idea:
use 90% of new revenue generated above present revenue level, to pay for TAX RELIEF
and presumably join the ranks of fast growing states like Nevada and Texas
The idea is to earmark 90% of new money to go to retire the death tax and income tax which both discourage successful people from staying in Oklahoma in retirement years.
Less government and lower taxes is the best way to attract new residents.... |
|
TOPIC: consolidation of agencies
My idea is to reduce overhead and unuseful spending, just like companies that merge in the private sector...
A.) merge Dept. of Human Services with Health, and also Mental Health
results: cut overhead by 25%, reducing secretarial staff, receptionists, staff,computers,etc.
WITHOUT REDUCTION IN SERVICES TO CITIZENS
B.)merge: Highway Patrol, Corrections, Bureau of Narcotics, OSBI and Coroner
into Justice Dept. of Oklahoma
results: cut overhead by 30% reducing secretarial staff, receptionists, staff, computers, etc
WITHOUT REDUCTION IN SERVICES TO CITIZENS
C.)merge State Highway Dept. and Turnpike authority by constitutional amendment that the highway commissioners begin serving as ex officio members of the turnpike authority automatically
result: cut overhead by 30% reducing engineering staff by attrition, secretarial staff, computers, etc.
WITHOUT REDUCTION IN SERVICES TO CITIZENS
|
|
TOPIC: long term care
Every year, thousands of Oklahoman's have to spend down their hard earned assets to qualify for Medicaid in order to afford long term care in a nursing home. This Medicaid help costs tax payers millions of dollars every year. As Americans get older, many will need more long-term care and nursing home care. Medicaid already is the nation's primary long-term care program, accounting for 43 percent of total long-term care spending and paying for nearly 60 percent of nursing home residents.
I propose that we pass legislation that will allow Oklahoma citizens a 100% tax refund for Long Term Care insurance. This should be tied to specific terms of the LTCi contract, eg. daily benefit, inflation protection, and benefit period. For example, in order to be tax qualified, the daily benefit must be $100/ day, 3-5% inflation protection must be included, and the benefit period must exceed 5 years.
|
|
TOPIC: Light Rail System
please please please build a lightrail system! This system could even be a light monorail system (like state fair grounds but better). Have these in towns like Edmond, Norman, Midwest City, Shawnee, OKC. This would help save on gas for people as well as energy costs as it could most likely be wind and solar powered. How amazing Oklahoma can be if we think green energy. Everything we want and more! |
|
TOPIC: Weather Information
Many times I have been on the highway when a storm was passing. What does it take to get the radio people to understand when you are traveling and listening to the weather station you don't have a clue what county you are in? Why don't they tell traveling people where the storms are by the cities and inform those on the highway what milemarkers the severe storms can be located? I wish someone would change the way information is given to those who travel. There are also those already in a motel who don't have a clue what county they are staying. Help those who don't know the counties, especially the travelers. |
|
TOPIC: Govt Asset Monetization
At the transportation meeting several months ago, there were a number of groups that floated the idea of privitization as a method to raise capital. Oliver Wyan has already done some work on this specific to the Turnpike system.
About 3 years ago I worked with 2 individuals associated with Oliver Wyman who have successfully assisted governments in the US and around the world in executing asset monetization of public assets to create a revenue stream for the public entity. They have already performed a prelimary due diligence on the OK Turpike system ( 3 years ago) and found viability in a monetizing strategy
If there is interest in pursuing, I am happy to provide an introduction.
Gayle Harris
Vice President
Hilb Rogal & Hobbs |
|
TOPIC: Outlet mall incentives
Oklahoma leaders need to explore possible ways to attract retail outlet malls to non-metro areas - communities over less than 25,000. Missouri, Texas, Colorado, and other states have been extremely successful in attracting Oklahoma shopping dollars to these venues. I do not know if they have favorable tax policy or other incentives that are bringing these businesses to their states. The only retail provider in many rural areas is Walmart. I am not being critical of Walmart, but I believe we are missing a potential to bring new dollars into Oklahoma and providing better retail opportunities in small communities around the state if we could attract retail outlet malls. |
|
TOPIC: education
Regarding merit pay for teachers, increase the stipend for National Board Certified Teachers from $5000 to $10,000 while raising all teachers salary to the regional average. |
|
TOPIC: Alternative Energy
Algae based Bio-diesel produces more oil per acre than any other form of bio fuel by a ratio of over 6 to 1.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bio_Diesel#Yields_of_common_crops
Algae can be fed by human waste or farm waste solving other problems.
Encourage idle farms to be used to grow oil, and start a new major industry
here in oklahoma, and new tax revenue.
Find a way for oklahoma's current oil industry to get involved in the automated
harvesting and processing, and start the migration to a middle east free method.
If the oil companies can be shown a way to make money off it they would be
less resistant to it.
http://www.ecosherpa.com/green-energy/algae-biofuel-from-sewage/
http://www.technologyreview.com/printer_friendly_article.aspx?id=18138
Thanks,
[email protected]
|
|
TOPIC: OHLAP Requirements
Students who benefit from OHLAP should be required to work in Oklahoma for a minimum of five years as a way to repay the state taxpayers for paying their college tuition. |
|
TOPIC: Per Gallon Price for Gasoline
Simply round up the nine-tenths of a cent for a gallon of gasoline to the next cent. If this is done by law, watch all the rest of the states get in line behind Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Secure the Future
Instead of using a site like myspace, use one that pays you to use it. Each month, myspace makes $24M per month from advertising. An Oklahoma developed the first social networking site that actually pays you, by sharing advertising profits. It is completely free of charge.
If a church youth group, school band, science club, any organization or individual can make a lot of money just for talking to each other. The Multilevel Marketing concept applies, and the more friends you invite, and they invite, the more page view and more money for your club's bank account, scholarship fund, charity drive, or personal account.
Everyone can make money just for talking to each other.
Support Oklahoma, support local organizations and support this Oklahoma base website that is the FIRST of it's kind!
Copy the entire link to be directed to a video that explains it all.
http://www.yuwie.com/yuwie.asp?r=545 |
|
TOPIC: Language
Make it a state law that to be able to work in Oklahoma you must be able to spaek english. Where I work in Mrs. Smith's Bakery/ Schwans in Stilwell Ok. many of the people cannot speak or even understand english. I feel that it makes it hard on the employees to work with these people that can't even understand the safety rules and sometimes they are endangering us by practicing unsafe work habits. It also costs companies money to train supervisers and lead people spanish. Money that should be used to make ergonomic work spaces. We also need to check who these people are they could be rapists and murderers we are working with. One man told me and a friend that he was using his brothers papers to work at the factery, because he owes child support and didn't want to pay it. He said his brother works in Arkansas so Oklahoma will never know he was not legal. Now how do we report this?
|
|
TOPIC: P.E.
I would like to see P.E. classes in Oklahoma schools. This state is full of Native Americans, myself included, and our ethnic group has a higher than average diebetes risk. Americans are dangerously over weight and could be prevented by P.E. & Health classes. |
|
TOPIC: Environment / Energy
In order to encourage our citizens to use less energy, our energy providers (natural gas and electricity) should charge progressive rates (just like tax brackets). That is, a low energy user would be charged less per unit of energy used, and high user would be charged more.
This would reward those who make efforts to reduce their energy use and remind others to be more aware! |
|
TOPIC: Tax credit for teachers
I believe Oklahoma teachers should be given a tax credit ranging from $500 - 1,000 per year for supplies they purchase on their own that are used in their classrooms. |
|
TOPIC: Reciprocal fees
I would like to see Oklahoma pass legislation that would allow the state of Oklahoma to collect fees equal to those fees charged to Oklahoma businesses to do business in other states. Currently the state of Texas charges a corporate franchise fee for any Oklahoma business to do business there. For example, if an insurance agency wishes to sell insurance in Texas, there is no license fee, but they must pay a franchise fee to do such business. There is no such fee charged to Texas agencies that do business in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Expand Genealogical Records
Oklahoma the "Land of the Redman" should better develop it's genealogical support for residents and visitors. Oklahoma should be known nationaly as a destination for any one doing research of American Indian Ancestors.
However our genealogical resources are very limited. Many people are taking genealogy vacations in order to have access to the records they need to research their family history. I personally have taken more than 10 such vacations. Oklahoma's resources are so limited that I have gone to Texas to use facilities that could be available in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Green Country Golfing
The Tulsa Area is a very popular golf area all ready. Four PGA's at Southern Hills for example. And there is a surplus of quality golf courses. But the nearest golf resort is at the Cherokee Casino. I suggest that The Green Country Area be further developed as a golfing vacation destination.
This would be along the lines of Myrtle Beach SC which sports many golf resorts, golf courses and golf schools. Myrtle Beaches golf courses have supported the development of resort hotels, a Hardrock cafe, outlet malls, and several Branson type theaters. Tulsans already make up the largest single group at Branson most days. So such theaters would most likely have appeal to Tulsans as well as our visitors.
Thank you for your interest in my suggestion. |
|
TOPIC: Stoplight Emergency Vehicle Warning System
I have noticed that automobiles and other vehicles do not stop for emergency vehicles when they come roaring through an intersection. I don't think it is because these vehicles disregard the law or don't care, but that they can't hear the sirens before it is too late. I propose a way for drivers to know that an emergency vehicle is approaching an intersection before it is in the drivers range of hearing.
I am not even sure if this is feasible, considering it would probably come from the tax payers...but, there should be a way emergency vehicles can trip a switch in their vehicle that either (1) sets all lights blinking at an intersection so that cars know an emergency vehicle is coming through and cars would immediately stop and not enter the intersection or (2) a different light above the stoplights (maybe blue) would flash so cars would know an emergency vehicle is coming through and cars would immediately stop and not enter the intersection.
|
|
TOPIC: children
every child of a single parent home could benefit from a mentor taking them to lunch once a week at school cafeteria. someone from a local church or business that volunteers to get in volved in their life remembering birthdays, christmas or graduating services i think we need to invest in the lives of our children so we can expect better people in the future |
|
TOPIC: Let all be heard.
Everyone votes law. I see a on-air tv station that posts the issues, voters cast vote to automated center, and a manditory registration when renewing D.L. If a voter doesnt vote they do volunteer work for a weekend. Or something like that. Then we have all been heard |
|
TOPIC: Energy
Get away from polluting coal burning units and install windmills and solar power plants. |
|
TOPIC: WI FI Downtown OKC
WI FI Downtown OKC |
|
TOPIC: Process
Create an ongoing "Idea Process" where ideas are given life, discussion and strcture. |
|
TOPIC: Prescription Drugs
Lower cost of prescription drugs through free trade. |
|
TOPIC: Redistricting
Provide a Bi-Partisan approach to re-districting legislative districts in 2010 and in future to meet needs of urban and rural areas alike.
|
|
TOPIC: Dept. of Aging
Create a separate department of aging to work specifically on aging issues. |
|
TOPIC: Future Workforce
Develop and prepare the workforce for the future:
Form coalition of organizations to provide tutoring, mentoring organized community service & activities.
|
|
TOPIC: Product Disposal
Require all new products that are developed have a method of disposal in an ecological process.
|
|
TOPIC: Intra-state metro rail system
Construct an intra-state metro rail system. All transportation between communities (i.e.: Europe Rail System).
|
|
TOPIC: Youth Representative
Create a youth representative at state level and expand youth after-school programs.
|
|
TOPIC: Statewide wireless
Provide State wide wireless internet at minimal/no cost, available to all people. |
|
TOPIC: Extended School Year
Extend the School Year. It will save parents dollars and save school dollars by not having to re-teach at beginning of school year.
|
|
TOPIC: Workforce - Need Workers
Oklahoma provide incentive for military personnel to come & work in Oklahoma.
State provide education/training and
requirement/agreement to work in Oklahoma for minimum of 5 years.
|
|
TOPIC: Drug Tests
Drug test mandatory for public assistance recipients. |
|
TOPIC: Flat Tax
Reduce state income tax to a flat rate. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Water
Keep water in Oklahoma. Don't sell to Texas!! |
|
TOPIC: REI
Provide additional state funding for REI |
|
TOPIC: Incarcerated Adults
Incarcerated Adults: Education is key: Academics, Social, etc. Separate offenders by severity. Reconstruct the process to accommodate the educational needs of incarcerated individuals.
|
|
TOPIC: Regional Jails
Build regional jails/prisons to replace the over crowded, outdated county facilities.
|
|
TOPIC: Bonding Laws
Change the bonding laws to allow school districts to raise enough dollars to build superior facilities for our children.
|
|
TOPIC: Guaranteed College
For those who want it….Guaranteed college education.
|
|
TOPIC: County Record Consolidation
Legislation to consolidate all county records online and modernize land title process. |
|
TOPIC: Bottle Deposits
Bottle deposit on empty containers to go equally to counties for cleanup.
|
|
TOPIC: Long Term Transportation
Long term (50 years or more) transportation highway design plan (long range transportation plan).
|
|
TOPIC: Local School Decisions
Constitutionally protect right of local school patrons to make school consolidation decision.
|
|
TOPIC: Umbilical Cord Blood Bank
Establish umbilical cord blood bank. |
|
TOPIC: MA Universal Health Care
Universal health care system similar to Massachusetts to be adopted in Oklahoma.
|
|
TOPIC: Alternative Energy
Make Oklahoma a national leader in the development of alternative energy sources.
|
|
TOPIC: Tax Incentives for Risk
Give tax incentives to entrepreneurs who are willing to engage in high risk, high potential ventures.
|
|
TOPIC: Sales Tax
Oklahoma should repeal the sales tax (state, city, and county) for all groceries. This would help lower income families tremendously as well as everyone else.
The roads in Oklahoma are in serious need of repair, how can you even think of promoting tourism with the shape they are in, it is an embarassment. |
|
TOPIC: Retirement Cost
No Legislation to mandate cost by our Co. Deputy Retirement. |
|
TOPIC: Prevention Programs
Use more substance abuse prevention programs in schools K-12. |
|
TOPIC: Drug Courts
First time drug offender programs should be expanded (e.g drug court for first timers). |
|
TOPIC: Term Limits
Put term limits on all state elected officials. |
|
TOPIC: Officer Assaults
Seek legislation to make assault of an officer a felony. |
|
TOPIC: Inmate Work Program
State Inmates Work Program: Arizona, Maricopa, Colorado has a work program we think Oklahoma should have. Money spent on current high standards for inmates could be re-routed…if standards where changed on a state basis.
|
|
TOPIC: Housing
Eliminate abstracting, go to title insurance only. |
|
TOPIC: Gambling Addiction Treatment
Gambling Addictions: More programs, stop and downsize.
|
|
TOPIC: Agriculture/Natural Resources
Concern: More equitable distribution of Agriculture/Natural Resources supports for land owners.
Solution: Distribution of area specialist in state extension system now inequitable.
|
|
TOPIC: Parental Education
Parental Education: OB/GYN to support parental classes and hospitals. With successful completion of classes % of fee waived, grants from Kimberly Clark - Unilever - Kraft, etc. for teaching materials. Volunteers to teach or funding from hospital's/Doctors.
|
|
TOPIC: Green State
Pollution/Recycling: Keep our Land Grand!
Oklahoma "the Green State" educating young people through the media, print, radio & TV.
Grants for funding from Federal Government.
Sewer & water bill charged to individuals.
Recycle fuel for government vehicles.
Recycle plants to offer free compost
Tax break for communities who recycle. |
|
TOPIC: Transportation Improvements
Better air/highway/public transportation through higher taxes and a percentage of PR Income taxes earmarked for it. |
|
TOPIC: Prison Space
Increase industry by adding to current industry.
|
|
TOPIC: Prison Space
Increase prison space. |
|
TOPIC: Libraries
Ensure schools have adequate library facilities.
|
|
TOPIC: Affordable Healthcare
More FQHC's in Oklahoma. Expand programs like O-EPIC.
|
|
TOPIC: Teenage Driving
Reduced traffic deaths by requiring more training requirements for teenagers.
|
|
TOPIC: Repeal Unnecessary Laws
Clean up outdated Oklahoma laws: make law stating for every law passed repeal two laws.
|
|
TOPIC: Criminal Sentencing
Repeated convicted criminals should serve 85% of second offense crime sentence or all of it.
|
|
TOPIC: Prison Space
Get prison cell space by moving lesser drug offenders to drug court by expanding drug court. Space used for those assaulting police officers.
|
|
TOPIC: Medicaid for Sale
Problem: Higher cost of healthcare. Solution: Medicaid for sale (Tennessee) - Consider catastrophic healthcare by voluntary pay.
|
|
TOPIC: Pre Education
Come up with some Pre Education Funding Initiative. |
|
TOPIC: Raise Fuel Taxes
Raise fuel taxes to coast levels for roads & highways. Earmark for roads, highways, and bridges only. |
|
TOPIC: Statewide Wi-Fi
Install WI FI all across the state! |
|
TOPIC: Graduate Retention
Discounts/Rebates on tuition for "Graduates Retention". Example: If they work in the state for 10 years, give them benefits. |
|
TOPIC: Youth Development
Encourage summer youth development.
Making community service a requirement for high school graduation.
Possibly generated through the communities chamber group.
Through job training programs by using local businesses.
A collective representation of all community groups to help set up program.
|
|
TOPIC: Youth Development
Encourage summer youth development. |
|
TOPIC: Medicaid Reform
Taper the Medicaid system to allow parents to take a higher paying job while still allowing children to remain on the program at a percentage. |
|
TOPIC: Extend school day
Extending the school day for safety, health, and education; benefit of the student.
|
|
TOPIC: Tax Incentives
Tax incentive for employers who implement employee driven economic development plans.
|
|
TOPIC: Improve Recreation/Tourism
Build private organization to partner on Oklahoma recreational facility development.
|
|
TOPIC: Winery Regulations
Winery Regulation: Reduce distribution regulations. |
|
TOPIC: Healthcare
Require 3rd party providers to provide payment for preventative care.
|
|
TOPIC: Economic Development
Economic Development:
A: Reform Workers Comp System
B: Pass Tort Reform
|
|
TOPIC: Prison Population
Reduce Oklahoma Prison Population:
A: More utilization of drug courts & rehab centers.
B: Revise Oklahoma laws on sentencing.
C: Remove Governor from parole process. |
|
TOPIC: business / taxes
If we are going to allow the Oklahoma Indian Tribes to open up gaming in the state, why don't we allow corporations who specialize in gaming open casinos in the state. These operations would be fully taxable and would generate a significant amount more in revenue for the state. It would also continue to bring in high wage jobs to the area and increase tourisim significantly. There are many areas of the state that would be prime locations such as the lake areas in southeastern Oklahoma, around the riverwalk in OKC and the Grand Lake area.
We may not be in favor of gambling, but we have opened "pandora's box" with the tribal facilities and it will never close. The state needs to take advantage of the opportunity before Texas does! |
|
TOPIC: Seat Belts for School Buses
My idea has to do with the safety of our children riding on school busses without seat belts.
If it is a state law that we have to wear our seat belts in a vehicle then it should be a state law to have them put on school busses. The driver of the bus has to wear one so why not the children? If safety is truly the issue behind giving citations to citizens then why is it not priority of law makers to pursue the measures of our childrens safety? Is it MONEY? and not SAFETY? If not an issue on pulic trans then there shouldnt be an issue in our personal trans. The children are our future so we all need to start thinking about their safety on the school busses. |
|
TOPIC: Home Loans for Veterans
I saw a TV show where the state of Mississippi provides military personnel an opportunity to get home loans at a 4.5% interest rate.
Not sure how they went about getting this done but it sounded like a good idea. Here in the Lawton area and the expected influx of many more military, why not let the soldiers get a decent rate on a home. The state could make this happen I think.
|
|
TOPIC: Property Taxes
Because many County assessors are using the State Legislators passed allowed 5% annual assessed value increase as authorization to increase assessments by 5% with no other justification and because of the extremely high prices of houses today I suggest that 5% maximum allowed increase be decreased to 3% or less. An annual 5% increase in assesed value is excessive and to send a note to homeowners annually with the increased assessment from the assessor saying they are sorry for the increase buts it required by the law is an insult to citizens. No person over 65 should pay property tax on the property they live on. |
|
TOPIC: Passenger Bill-of-Rights
Congress has refused to approve a passenger bill-of-rights due to the objections of politically powerful airline interests. Oklahoma needs to follow the example of New York State, and pass our own legislation to help protect airline passengers from airline abuses. |
|
TOPIC: Reduce number of state employees
A large portion of public employees will retire in the next decade. Pledge to replace only half of them. This can be done if the state updates its technology and uses private suppliers. |
|
TOPIC: Virtual University
Create a virtual university staffed with great professors chosen from Oklahoma colleges and universities. It could be limited to those over 25 years old to reduce the impact on residential colleges. |
|
TOPIC: Coordinated Sidewalk Sale
Coordinate all cities to have sidewalk sales (Retailers lay out goods, tents are setup, food displays ECT) during a period of time each year. During this time “example first two weeks in may”. Across the state Retailers would have special events and sales that would be advertised by the state to bring travelers into Oklahoma to be part of the event. A see and be rewarded event. A massive cookout could take place, eating out across Oklahoma as part of the event would end the two week long spectacle. |
|
TOPIC: Child Abuse Prevention
Mandatory education about ages and stages of development, discipline, punishment and parenting styles for all children through college graduation. This education would need to address: healthy relationships, parenting, family communication, domestic violence, child abuse, child sexual abuse and more. |
|
TOPIC: Quality of Life
We need to Increase pedestrian and bike trails throughout the state. Perhaps the state can offer individuals and corporations tax incentives to sponsor the construction and upkeep of these trails. I live in a rural area and enjoy walking in the morning. Last year while walking on my street, I was nearly killed by a vehicle - fortunately I only suffered injuries to my head, arm and shoulder. Having designated walking and bike trails would help avoid these kinds of events and would encourage Oklahomans to exercise more. |
|
TOPIC: Green Courses
Golf courses can provide critical elements of habitat for amphibians, fish, mammals, birds, and insects. The use of better management practices, including buffer strips, natural growth and wetlands on golf courses, helps protect wildlife for future generations. Oklahoma should encourage the development of greener golf courses to improve our environment and protect wildlife. As an example: Oklahoma is losing our natural wetlands at a rapid pace, due to agriculture and urban development. While golf courses cannot replace natural wetlands, with certain adjustments, they are able to mimic them and still provide many of the environmental benefits to nature. This can be done partially, for example, by allowing out-of-play areas of the golf course to grow naturally and allow green space around the ponds. It's a win-win for Oklahoma and our golf courses. |
|
TOPIC: Child Abuse
Provide sufficient local training opportunities for law enforcement, DHS Child Welfare, District Attorneys and treatment providers who work with the Multidisciplinary Teams, and parenting skills education for teens, so that no child need ever 'fall through the cracks' and die from child abuse or neglect again in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Safe for All
Make Oklahoma safe for all citizens by actively supporting programs to help victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and programs focused on prevention of these serious crimes. The Oklahoma Legislature can make great strides to create a culture of safety, where all citizens are protected from violence in thier homes and on the streets. The support can be financial, but it is also important for legislators to take an aggressive stand against violence against women and children in public appearances and when considering legislation that can have a positive impact on victims. Let people know that sexual assault and domestic violence are crimes that will not be tolerated in Oklahoma! |
|
TOPIC: Adoption
In response to the recent Grand Jury finding, reform Oklahoma's adoption laws so that every person participating in the adoption process (birth parents, adoptive parents and child) can have a better chance at raising successful families and preventing what in essence has become the trafficking of children.
|
|
TOPIC: Rail system in OKC
Oklahoma City has a valuable rail bed at Union Station which connects to the rest of the State including Shawnee, Ardmore, El Reno, Lawton, Guthrie, OKC Zoo, Tinker, Tulsa, Norman and other places.
What would possess powerbrokers (with vested interests?) to advocate replacing the rail bed with four miles of a 10-lane highway with bottlenecks at both ends.
Oklahoma City has an ozone problem now. Why make it worse by destroying the rails, thus destroying the possibility for light rail anytime soon. A rail system in OKC by far outpassed other priorities in OKC's recent MAPS 3 survey.
|
|
TOPIC: The OKC Crosstown
MY IDEA: Redeck and repair the Current Crosstown in OKC and save the taxpayers about a half-billion dollars. And better yet, it will preserve the Union Station's railyard and Oklahoma's public transit in the process. Let's see some leadership! |
|
TOPIC: Sidewalks in New Neighborhoods
Walking for health is recommended and sidewalks are good method for pedestrian transportation. Yet all new neighborhood do not have side walks. Require new developer's to put sidewalks in the neighborhoods. Years ago the Federal government had WPA who would add side walks to old neighborhoods. People who are out of work instead of collecting unemployment can build side walks in our neighborhoods. I would start around elementary schools. I live down the street from an elementary school . As the parents drop off their children they use the middle of the street as a sidewalk. my concern is that the children are taught, walking in the middle of the street is acceptable and safe. When in fact it is not. With sidewalks installed parents could walk and let their children out onto sidewalks which is safer for all concerned. Plus the workers who build the side walks have a trade to fall back on. |
|
TOPIC: DVIS
I think DVIS ought to be mandatory for one to graduate, whether it be in public school or home school. |
|
TOPIC: ODOT Pay
The way things are set up now in ODOT a person can go to all the schools and trainings but if there are guys that are sitting in a class IV and III the class II people will just sit at that pay level till retirement. There is no advancement for these guys that have been there for 10 years or more if the Class IV and III places are filled. Open up these positions for more people to promote up or do away with class ranking all together. |
|
TOPIC: Education/Art
Children learn in many different ways and Art is one of the earliest and most universal tools with which children both receive information and communicate with others. It has been said that Art helps create a more civil society. I believe that introducing Art as a standard curriculum at an early elementary level and keeping it a strong element through upper levels will help the overall problem solving abilities students apply to all of their studies...and the approach to life they adopt as young adults. It will give them a voice. It gives them something to control, something with which to successfully communicate. They deserve to be heard. |
|
TOPIC: Liquor Laws
Having just moved here from Torrance, CA. I couldn't help but notice the potential tax revenue the state is missing out on by changing the liquor laws to include grocers as eligible vendors. Even if its just beer and wine, major tax generating chains like Costco, or Cost World Plus World Market could put us on thier list for new stores. I really love the area I'm living now, but I have to admit, its a little backward here as far as reasoning toward some of the laws. Of course thats just my opinion.
Thanks |
|
TOPIC: Toll Roads
Toll roads should be done away with in Oklahoma. Or whenever the road is paid for, it should be taken away. It would be more attractive to travel accross our state if you weren't charged for it. |
|
TOPIC: School Eating Program
I think it would be nice if school cafeterias served only healty foods such as fruits, vegatables, and white meats. No sugar, pizza hut, taco bell(As served at PC North in 2000), or anything considered bad for you. Kids would feel better and would know how to eat a nutrious diet. |
|
TOPIC: School Exercise Program
It would be nice if the Public School System (K-12) enforced 30 minutes of exercise every day for all students. It wouldn't have to be based on competition, just on being fit. I think it would radically change the health of our population. Imagine if you had a routine of working out every day since you were 6. |
|
TOPIC: Smaller Government
I think it would be good to lessen the amount of government employees that we have in Oklahoma. Espically in the Public School System where we have so many administrators. |
|
TOPIC: School Busing
It would be nice if Oklahoma combined schools and just bused kids further to save money in the school system. |
|
TOPIC: State Income Tax
I think it would be nice to get rid of the State Income Tax. From what I understand, Congress had to make a constitional amendment to make it legal to have an income tax.
Just spread the taxes into property taxes. That way, you don't have two organizations collecting taxes. |
|
TOPIC: Sidewalks on all streets
How about putting side walks on all the streets in Oklahoma, making it easier for people to walk from point "A" to point "B". |
|
TOPIC: Revoulutionize Oklahoma
We as a state need to seriously think about the movie industry, and look to expand that. There is TV, movies, and acting on both coasts. However middle America is a virtual emptiness of activity. As well as the perspective that most major studio actors come from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas. We need to develop a movie industry here in Oklahoma. and be the California of middle America. You want to know what Oklahomas position is in the furture, its entertaining the country, as we have for centuires.
|
|
TOPIC: State Commercials
State commercial featuring famous Oklahomans doing activities here.
Lisa McKim, Deborah Wolek, Kristen Klinge, Sherri Rogers, Jana Jo Ivy, Amanda Storck. |
|
TOPIC: Division of tourism
Division of tourism attracting nationwide sports events (fishing, football, baseball, basketball, bowling, water sports, hunting).
Lisa McKim, Deborah Wolek, Kristen Klinge, Sherri Rogers, Jana Jo Ivy, Amanda Storck. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma History Day
November 16th- Oklahoma History Day, free admission to museums and attractions.
Cathy Williams White, Carla Walker, David Pettyjohn, Joan Henderson, Louisa McCune-Elmore, Stan Ralstin
|
|
TOPIC: Expand highway signage
Expand highway signage to identify major destinations (Route 66, Native American Trails, Chisholm Trail).
Cathy Williams White, Carla Walker, David Pettyjohn, Joan Henderson, Louisa McCune-Elmore, Stan Ralstin
|
|
TOPIC: Expand Oklahoma education
Expand Oklahoma education to include tourism component & more on Oklahoma history.
Cathy Williams White, Carla Walker, David Pettyjohn, Joan Henderson, Louisa McCune-Elmore, Stan Ralstin. |
|
TOPIC: Interurban transportation activities
Interurban transportation to attractions.
Jeff Erwin, Don Neal, Keli Clark, Deb Jordan, Bryce Todd, Frank Sims. |
|
TOPIC: Improve water quality
Improve water quality: Develop grass roots effort lead by an environmental champion to clean up rivers, lakes & air in each region of the state.
Dino Lalli, Debra Shumate, Tina Gilliland, Lisa Friden, Lael Erickson, Sandy Pantlik, Becky Blankenship. |
|
TOPIC: Free regional music festivals
Free regional music festivals to encourage the industry.
Cindi Walls, Debra Bailey, Kim Little, Rick Farmer, Isaac Smith, Charlene Meeks, David Franklin, Ron Stahl.
|
|
TOPIC: Promote tourism in schools
Promote tourism in our schools and develop curriculum & lesson plans beginning in 4th grade that encourages Oklahoma tourism.
Cindi Walls, Debra Bailey, Kim Little, Rick Farmer, Isaac Smith, Charlene Meeks, David Franklin, Ron Stahl.
|
|
TOPIC: Extend hours at Tourism Centers
Expand/Extend hours at tourism info centers or alternative hours.
Cindi Walls, Debra Bailey, Kim Little, Rick Farmer, Isaac Smith, Charlene Meeks, David Franklin, Ron Stahl.
|
|
TOPIC: Bed Tax
Law- All Bed tax should go to marketing city, county, and state!
Alice Johnson, Lindsay Galloway, Tracey Cox, Linda Barnett. |
|
TOPIC: Reinstate tourism tax
More general revenue/reinstate tourism tax (1%). The better marketing= more money to do so.
Alice Johnson, Lindsay Galloway, Tracey Cox, Linda Barnett. |
|
TOPIC: Energy Fund
Consideration should be given to establishing a permanent oil and gas tax endowment fund. As oil and gas prices rise due to increasing production and worldwide demand, our tax revenue will increase proportionally. If we are far-sighted enough, we will have set up an endowment fund to permanently reserve a significant portion of these funds, instead of funding new and additional spending projects. Hopefully, this trend will accumulate enough money, due to pro rata increases in contributions, to reach a point whereby the annual income generated by the fund equals the maximum amount of annual tax income from oil and gas taxes. At this point, all or a portion of the oil and gas tax revenue could be used to fund large capital expenditures or reduce other forms taxation. |
|
TOPIC: Man-made water fountain
Attraction: Largest man-made water fountain at I-35/I-40 exchange.
Sarah Mussett, Terry Mosley, Mike Starchman, Roberta Helsley, Randy McDaniel, Anita G. Arnold. |
|
TOPIC: Bicycle Lanes
The safety of designated bike lanes, I believe, would enable a greater number of people to consider this as a reliable means of transportation and enjoyable exercise. Adding the lanes only to new roads or when repairing/widening an existing road would be feasible way to implement them over time. |
|
TOPIC: Recycling
Hoping to have the option in the near future to recycle a greater variety of items and in more locations even if curbside pick up is not an option for those items. |
|
TOPIC: Solar/Wind Energy
I'd love to see a move toward more wind and solar energy use in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Keep Clean
Oklahoma needs more community involved projects to pick up litter. Communities need monthly gatherings to clean their streets, paking lots, and neighborhoods.
This needs to be done on a volunteer basis so as to not require large sums of tax dollars. |
|
TOPIC: Animals
Reform and strengthen laws related to animal welfare and control. Rescind the requirement of 200,000 population before a county can have county animal control!!! Make spay/neuter a priority, with incentives for low-income owners to alter their pets!!! Discourage the rapidly growing number of Class B dealers!!! Discourage puppy mills!!! Unfortunately, a certain amount of capturing and killing animals (in places that even have a public shelter a.k.a. pound) may always be necessary, but why not reduce such a need by all means possible?! Private groups do what they can, but are continually overwhelmed. Oklahoma's animal overpopulation problem affects not only the unfortunate victims themselves, but also people, public health and safety, the general environment, and tourism. |
|
TOPIC: Taxes and Bond Issues
Taxes in Oklahoma are constantly going up as well as utilities. Vision2025 was tauted as a cure-all to a number of problems for Tulsa and surrounding communities. Yet, new bond issues are being proposed that will impact tax obligations even more. I propose that an annual ceiling be implemented for taxation and that all extraneous fees be eliminated entirely. 'Fees' is another word for taxes and should be subject to voting by the citizens.
Sales taxes should not be charged on groceries, clothing, shoes and other life necessities.
|
|
TOPIC: Nursing Home & Child Care Oversite
An independent watch-dog group made up of private individuals that would regularly conduct independent walk-throughs in Nursing Homes and Child Care facilities to observe activities, cleanliness and patient treatment. Their purpose would be to hold the DHS accountable for follow-up on a more timely and less non-chalant basis. There are too many instances of abuse, neglect and even death of children and elderly in Oklahoma.
Workers in nursing homes and day cares centers should be subject to periodic psychological examinations to assure that their stress levels are monitored and dealt with. They should also be on some kind of time off scheduling to reduce drudgery and stress build-up. And their prior work history should be critically reviewed before they are hired or permitted to continue. |
|
TOPIC: KIPP model
Use KIPP model for parental involvement.
Ginger Tinney, Tina Adkins, Holly Turner, Gabrielle McDermott. |
|
TOPIC: No interruptions in the classroom
No interrruptions for classroom instruction.
Ginger Tinney, Tina Adkins, Holly Turner, Gabrielle McDermott. |
|
TOPIC: Classroom Management Skills
Classroom management skills taught in teacher ed programs with real discipline situations.
Ginger Tinney, Tina Adkins, Holly Turner, Gabrielle McDermott. |
|
TOPIC: Shorten school board member terms
Change laws to shorten school board member terms of office.
Ginger Tinney, Tina Adkins, Holly Turner, Gabrielle McDermott. |
|
TOPIC: Tougher requirements for behavior
Write laws that demand tougher requirements for the behavior of teachers/administrators.
Ginger Tinney, Tina Adkins, Holly Turner, Gabrielle McDermott. |
|
TOPIC: State Contracts to OEA
Stop giving state contracts to the teacher's union (OEA) i.e. state money being awarded to OEA via teacher Prep Commission for math workshops (OEA given over a million dollars the last 2 years!)
Ginger Tinney, Tina Adkins, Holly Turner, Gabrielle McDermott. |
|
TOPIC: Education in Service
Education In service for parents to understand what is expected of their children at each grade level. In-depth parent information on how to interpret test scores and recognize benchmarks at age appropriate levels. Hold schools accountable to local community, but educate the community (i.e. parents) to understand what the school report cards/test scores indicate.
Ginger Tinney, Tina Adkins, Holly Turner, Gabrielle McDermott. |
|
TOPIC: Accountability system for school principals
Accountability system for school principals- based on student performance; force them to help maintain discipline and reward good teachers. Tie administrators to the number of discipline reports/problems that continue- hurts students.
Ginger Tinney, Tina Adkins, Holly Turner, Gabrielle McDermott. |
|
TOPIC: Operation Public Schools
Operation Public School- presented by Dr. Ted Hershberg (implement in Oklahoma schools).
Ginger Tinney, Tina Adkins, Holly Turner, Gabrielle McDermott. |
|
TOPIC: Mobile education bus
Mobile education bus: a mobile education bus that visits all schools in Oklahoma. The focus would be to share educational units in a fun and interactive way, showing learners skills, ideas, and what opportunities (jobs, health life skills, etc) are available to them.
Jan Darby, Jane Speck, Brenda Asher, Jackie Francis, Virgie Autrey, Sherri Green. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Pride Initiative
Oklahoma Pride Initiative: changing perception inside and outside of the state.
Jan Darby, Jane Speck, Brenda Asher, Jackie Francis, Virgie Autrey, Sherri Green. |
|
TOPIC: Teacher Bill of Rights
Teacher Bill of Rights: 1) Teachers will not be harassed by parents, students, or unions; 2) Higher penalty and crime for any abuse/violence toward teachers; 3) teachers should have in-service specifically to discuss the legalities of working within public schools and understand the liability; 4) Felony to vandalize a teacher's car and personal affects; 5) More flexibility for teachers with regards to resignation period (teachers should be released from contract in emergency or hardship cases).
Elizabeth Burke, Sheri Due. |
|
TOPIC: Economics Classes
Students should be taught in lower grades economics and capitalism and competition in the world economy (like Junior Achievement is set up, but in schools).
Elizabeth Burke, Sheri Due. |
|
TOPIC: School or Community Networks
School/Community Network: a) students shadow in a business field of interest; b) volunteer 30 hours of community service prior to graduation.
Elizabeth Burke, Sheri Due. |
|
TOPIC: Parent Empowerment Workshops
Parent empowerment workshops to help parents work with students academically at home.
Darryl Hatcher, Kenneth Winnie, Beth Bley, Leslie Munhollon, Tim Rose, Jennifer Rose, Tracy Dakil. |
|
TOPIC: State Cultural Center
State cultural center like a mini exchange program for students.
Darryl Hatcher, Kenneth Winnie, Beth Bley, Leslie Munhollon, Tim Rose, Jennifer Rose, Tracy Dakil. |
|
TOPIC: Gifted and Talented Program
Gifted and Talented program that parallels the attention of special education in funding, student attention to ultimately support the state of Oklahoma and therefore the state and the world (IEP- Individualized Education Program)
Darryl Hatcher, Kenneth Winnie, Beth Bley, Leslie Munhollon, Tim Rose, Jennifer Rose, Tracy Dakil. |
|
TOPIC: Flexibilty in curriculum
Flexibility in teaching curriculum as long as it meets pass skills.
Darryl Hatcher, Kenneth Winnie, Beth Bley, Leslie Munhollon, Tim Rose, Jennifer Rose, Tracy Dakil. |
|
TOPIC: Language Program
For Language Program English Immersion: Use TPRS- Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling.
Darryl Hatcher, Kenneth Winnie, Beth Bley, Leslie Munhollon, Tim Rose, Jennifer Rose, Tracy Dakil. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Language Institute
Oklahoma Language Institute to keep us from losing our Native American Indian Languages.
Darryl Hatcher, Kenneth Winnie, Beth Bley, Leslie Munhollon, Tim Rose, Jennifer Rose, Tracy Dakil. |
|
TOPIC: Tighten up welfare programs
Tighten up programs that allow the recipient to abuse and become dependent on the help which affects and undermines society and education, i.e. food stamps, disability, Access- Sooner Care, Welfare, Medicaid, Social Security. Other examples include teens having babies without marrying to make a living, or teens that say they just need a job long enough to get hurt and receive disability or thinking they don't have to finish school. No parental accountability.
Jamie Kelly, Esther Bell, Kim Vassar, Carla Edwards, Kristin Grimes. |
|
TOPIC: Top heavy administration
Top heavy administration: re-evaluate all the levels of administration and their functions and why that is more valuable than a student and teacher when more monies are needed in a classroom.
Jamie Kelly, Esther Bell, Kim Vassar, Carla Edwards, Kristin Grimes. |
|
TOPIC: Classes for Becoming Parents
Classes for becoming parents: parents should be held accountable for their child's actions from birth on up. Parents do not teach their children to respect one another, which leads to disrespect in society.
Jamie Kelly, Esther Bell, Kim Vassar, Carla Edwards, Kristin Grimes. |
|
TOPIC: Liability Insurance for Teachers
All teachers should be required to have liability insurance.
Jamie Kelly, Esther Bell, Kim Vassar, Carla Edwards, Kristin Grimes. |
|
TOPIC: Recycle More!
Recycle More! Recycle cans and plastic bottles to pay for field trips for museums! Also to pay for gas and hire drivers!
Donna Barnard, Jenny Davidson, Lillian Carol Dvorak. |
|
TOPIC: Try My Hat for a Day
"Try My Hat for a Day" for 6th-12th graders. Chambers of Commerce (or any employers) could host students who visit for a day to see a day-in-the-life of different occupations: lawyers, doctors, bankers, newspapers, etc. Students would write a simple description or comment card after their visit. (Parents could help transport)
Donna Barnard, Jenny Davidson, Lillian Carol Dvorak. |
|
TOPIC: End School Activities by 9 p.m.
School activities should be over in a timely manner so students can get more rest at night (9:00 pm).
Donna Barnard, Jenny Davidson, Lilllian Carol Dvorak. |
|
TOPIC: Economic Development
My proposal is that we build a velodrome in Oklahoma which could support amateur, elite and Olympic hopefuls as they persue the perfection of form and function in track cycling. Nationally there are only 23 velodromes. With the success of such events as the Free Wheel, Tulsa Tough, MS150, etc... the cycling community of Oklahoma has shown itself to be a strong and vibrant, yet under servered, presence in the state. A velodrome would provide income for the state, city, supporting businesses and services, and a potential place for Olympic athletes to train as they work on their dream of representing our country on the world sports stage. I know that I would pay money to watch cyclists power themselves at 60 km/h, riding inches away from thier opponets on a bike with no breaks.
|
|
TOPIC: Ad Valorem Taxes
Control ad valorem spending so it is more equitable to rural areas.
Gary Waugh, Kenneth Mulberry, Mary Lu Mulberry, Rick Staude, Paula Staude. |
|
TOPIC: Tort Reform for Rural Doctors
We need tort reform to keep rural doctors.
Gary Waugh, Kenneth Mulberry, Mary Lu Mulberry, Rick Staude, Paula Staude. |
|
TOPIC: Marriage Equality
Pass a law granting marriage equality to same gender couples. It's simple and you'll stop losing higher wager earners like me to other states.
You'll also welcome more tourist each year as couples, especially those with children, currently steer clear of a state where they become legal strangers when they enter. |
|
TOPIC: Education Accountability
Demand accountability in education by requiring the Department of Education collect and provide, via mail, better data to parents regarding test scores, graduation rates, spending per student, the achievement gap between whites and minority students, etc. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce gave Oklahoma a grade of "F" for the quality of our education data, indicating that we fail to collect and provide sufficient data on the quality of our schools and the mechanisms by which they operate. Furthermore, the State Dept. of Education needs to provide better and more accessible data on individual school districts to parents. This data should be broken down into easy-to-read formats and mailed to every parent in the state (not buried deep within their ill-viewed website), so parents know precisely what they're getting for their tax dollars. |
|
TOPIC: Health Care Tax Deductions
The current system by which Oklahomans receive health insurance suffers from costly flaws. One major flaw is the preference over individuals the Oklahoma tax codes gives to those who receive insurance through their employers: such insurance, which is valued highly, is not counted as income and is not taxed, thereby providing a major tax break not available to individuals. The tax code needs to be changed to provide insurance tax incentives by enacting a maximum $10,000 tax deduction to individuals who purchase private health insurance on their own. This not only will make private health insurance more affordable to all Oklahomans by providing tax incentives that offset annual premium costs, but it will also help remove a costly burden to Oklahoma businesses. |
|
TOPIC: Government Accountability
Make government more accountable to the people by requiring all major government agencies and departments develop performance management systems using scorecards that show the progress each agency is making toward achieving performance targets. For example, the Department of Health will create scorecard that sets a specific target for the mental health treatment rate, number child-welfare cases closed, number children without health insurance, or number of Oklahomans receiving proper vaccinations. The scorecard should be posted on the home page of each agency's website so that citizens can follow the progress each day. Such a management system engenders enhanced accountability, efficiency, and easily measurable performance targets and allows government to cut waste and demand progress where necessary. |
|
TOPIC: Public Saftey
Create a new auto saftey inspection. Take the best practices from other states, to create our own. The funds created should be earmarked for road repair. |
|
TOPIC: Air Travel
Build a hub international airport in Stillwater, Oklahoma and consolidate air travel operations to Stillwater from Oklahoma City and Tulsa. This would be a slight inconvenience for OKC and Tulsa but would provide a large enough population base in a 75 mile area from the airport that would make airlines provide more flights to more locations. It would be welcomed by all of the airlines because instead of flying jets from DFW to both OKC and Tulsa they could get by with one larger jet to a central location. |
|
TOPIC: Smoking
We know we are eventually all going to be smokeless in ALL public places so why don't we join the more progressive states and outlaw it now. Those of us who love to go out and listen to music are so tired of headaches, burning eyes and smelly clothes. God only knows what our lungs look like. We are encouraging our young people to create rituals around smoking which will make it only harder to quit. ( good friends, good music, a beer and a cigarette )
I also have many friends and family who are non-smoking musicians who are forced to breath an even higher amount of smoke than those who are smoking as they are breathing it for 6 hours at a time straight and for at least 4 or 5 nights a week. That is about 30 hours of straight smoke! |
|
TOPIC: Kids and amusement
Well if you have ever been to Frontier City you will know what I am talking about when I say we need a better place for kids to hang out. Frontier City is small and boring, after going one time it is useless to go again and there are not alot of places for kids and teens to go. We need a new amusement park, like six flags. Because any time I want to have fun, I have to drive all the way to Dallas, and I can not do that everyday. But if there wasan amusement park here I would be able to go almost everyday. Wereally need some place to go that is fun and Frontier City is not the answer. |
|
TOPIC: Vision testing
Anyone renewing any type of drivers license should have to have their vision retested. Most states require a vision re-test at every renewal. In most states, if you cannot pass the eye test, your license is not renewed until you are able to pass the test. Obviously, someone who received a license at 16, is not going to have the same vision at 30 or 40. My license shows no restrictions, although there is no way I could drive without some type of glasses or contacts. |
|
TOPIC: Drug Testing
Oklahoma school teachers should be subject to pre-employemnt drug testing as well as random testing. Since they are entrusted with the job of educating our youth, they should be tested to insure they are not using illegal substances. The students who are participants in various activities are subjected to drug testing, the teachers, coaches, and all the public school staff should be as well. |
|
TOPIC: License plates
Auto License plates should be required in both the front and back of the vehicle.
License plates should not go with a vehicle when sold. They stay with the individual they were issued to and registered to a new vehicle or put out of use.
If you sell a car with the license plates attached you are just asking for trouble. I.e. an illegal, a criminal, etc could purchase a vehicle that has current plates and stickers, drive around with no registration, no insurance and no license, and look legal. How stupid is that?
Very stupid but that is what we doing now!
If you force a new car owner to purchase plates and stickers by making sure to register the vehicle you make it tough on those breaking the law. You ensure greater revenue to the state and you dive criminals some place else out of the sate of OK. The more you enforce this law the more people will pay attention to all laws
|
|
TOPIC: Vehicle inspection
Bring back vehicle inspection law, but put some guts to it this time. The inspection should be a more complete and detailed inspection this time, not the joke it was in the past. Even if costs a driver $200. There are too many dangerous cars and trucks on the road.
They are the cause of many accidents and deaths. If you had a tough inspection laws you would produce revenue, increase safety of the vehicles on the road, save lives, prevent costly accidents, reduce insurance rates and apprehend illegal drives!
If you have laws and you enforce them, you will have citizens that are more law-abiding.
|
|
TOPIC: State income tax
Eliminate state income tax and replace with the fair tax! |
|
TOPIC: Auto tags
Our yearly auto tag renewal stickers should be placed on the inside of the front windshield (like Texas), therefore curbing the amount of stolen stickers by those who do not buy their own. Many illegals and non-insured people peel our new stickers off our tags because it is SO easy to do! |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma's Wine Industry
We have a struggling wine industry in OK. One of the problems is that we cannot ship wine out of Oklahoma to customers outside of the state without going through a middle man or distributor who cuts the profit to the wine maker. Lets not limit the flow of commerace in and out of Oklahoma. Let us ship products out and in without all of the restrictions and feeding of middle men. We have good products lets let the rest of the world enjoy them also. |
|
TOPIC: Tax relief for green energy
Citizens and businesses should be given tax relief (sales and/or income) for using technologies that decrease non-renewable energy consumption. This tax relief would apply to those using compact fluorescent light bulbs, installing improved insulation, decreasing energy consumption of appliances and climate control systems, and carpooling, among many other options. The Oklahoma state government could create a task force for inclusion of these energy consumption reducing strategies into the already successful wind power credit program. These could also show up as another schedule sheet on the state income tax form. |
|
TOPIC: PikePass for parking lots
We have a PikePass system which was one of the first in the nation. We should take the lead and expand this system so we can use it for airport and public parking lots, integrate it with other states so that we have an interchangeable system. How about a universal pike pass?
|
|
TOPIC: Recycling
The state government should foster outreach to communities without recycling options. For instance, because Norman will soon be increasing their recycling infrastructure, Noble, Goldsby, Little Axe, etc. should be able to take their recyclables to Norman rather than the landfill. The state government could match funds of communities that take the initiative to increase their recycling efforts. |
|
TOPIC: Adopt the FairTax
Oklahoma should be the first and thus the leader of the nation in adopting the fair tax. We should become a leader in this area, not in the area of building more toll roads. The tax code is very complex, time consuming and most people do not understand the tax code. Will bet there is no political figure that has read the tax code and fully understands same. |
|
TOPIC: Equality of Corruption
Our political system is influenced, if not controlled, by "vote-buying." As a result, our politicians use public dollars to gain votes by means of "pork barrel" spending and "earmarks" (funding additions) to appropriations bills. Every effort to correct the problem has failed because access to funds is a way to sustain political power ----- and our elected officials fight to control as much of the money as possible. The only way to correct this corruption is to help create legislation that will more or less guarantee equal access to such corruption. Under this proposed legislation, every county and every state would be assured equal access to "pork barrel" funds, or "earmark" funds, based on population and last date of such funding received. Thus, powerful politicians would be stopped from funding a few groups over-and-over. Obviously, this legislation needs to be at the federal level ----- but we can start the movement in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Venture Fund for Colleges
If an Oklahoma colleges offer an excellent innovation or entrepreneurship program ---reward those colleges with venture funds. These funds could then to be used for making loans to students starting their own businesses. By so doing, we can "grow" our own businesses at a faster rate. |
|
TOPIC: Transportation
I would like Oklahoma to have a world class public transportation system. I would say the Denver Light Rail system would be the appropriate model to use, as this city, like Oklahoma City, is spread out. Buses just don't cut it, they have to fight traffic just like cars do. A good start would be a rail system that went from the South, Norman to Edmond. It only has to be one line. This would cut down on all the commuter traffic and poullution. I think this would go a long way to making this state, and capital city a more sought out destination. This will cost money, but a time is coming when gas prices will be double what they are now. It makes sense to get something like this started now before it is too late. |
|
TOPIC: Double-Speak Awareness
We must all act to help preserve our democracy by educating ourselves on the new "double-speak" jargon being used by many federal bureaucrats. If we don't understand what they are hiding with the double-speak, there is no way of knowing what damage is occuring. Most of us know when we are told that white is black, and black is white. Unfortunately, double-speak is usually far more sophisticated than this incorrect statement indicates. What does it mean when a federal agency tells us they have "high, but low-level" performance? When we are told that the war will be won, but is not being won now, what does this really mean? If President Bush proposes legislation for clean air, and his proposed legislation allows for more air pollution, why is this a "clean air" bill? To stop all of this deception, a website should be provided where everyone can see the most recent versions of double-speak by our politicians (and others). |
|
TOPIC: People-To-People Programs
An epidemic of arrogance, ignorance, and corruption has made our federal government ineffective. The greatest failure of our government is poverty, disease, and conflict reduction (worldwide). There needs to be more people-to-people assistance. One of the best methods is "Radio Schools" to provide broadcast programs, in local languages, to teach self-help skills to impoverished populations. Foreign radio stations will usually broadcast these programs, and the poor will listen and learn to help themselves if provided with very inexpensive radios. Radio Schools are proven and effective, with one of the first being Radio Puno (in Peru), started in the mid-1960s. If our universities were given some added support, the students and facualty could provide many helpful radio programs to support Radio Schools. Foundations should be willing to donate radios for the desired foreign audiences. By such an effort, we can act directly to help reduce poverty, disease, and conflict. |
|
TOPIC: Qualifications of Technologies
The state has supported technologies and industries that have not been well qualified. As an example, Oklahoma supported the "factory" hog farms in Texas County. These farms have resulted in local air and water pollution ---and they have generally failed to produce economic advantages predicted. Surveys indicated that a majority of consumers preferred buying pork produced by humane, outdoor, organic means. Thus, the state should have supported small farmers in the development of these pork production methods. Yet, for political reasons, the "factory" farms, using confinement means often considered inhumane, were given our tax dollars. Oklahoma needs to have a technology review panel, consisting of elected and/or appointed members who are technically well qualified. This panel would conduct an advance review of any technologies the state proposes to support. A negative endorsement from this panel would prevent funding by the state. |
|
TOPIC: Right To Alternative Treatments
The large pharmaceutical companies have their "rent-a-representatives," in Congress, working on proposed legislation that would deny Americans the right to alternative (natural) treatments. These companies (collectively known as Big Pharma) are concerned about possible economic losses due to public use of natural cures known to be equal, or better, than current drug treatments. Big Pharma is also working to reduce funding for research on natural protective agents such as the polyphenolics found at high levels in organic foods. The mega-farms, and giant food companies, also oppose any type of research that might show organic foods as having benefits not found in their chemically produced foods. As a matter of public welfare, Oklahoma needs to help assure that all of its citizens have the right to alternative treatments, as well as relevant information about those treatments. |
|
TOPIC: Agent-of-Influence Registration
Agents-of-influence cause great harm to the public, and they should be registered in a manner similar to sex-offenders. For those who don't know, an agent-of-influence (AOI) is usually a lobbyist or attorney who has long represented a wealthy and politically powerful special interest group. AOIs are also persons who have been appointed by our President, or Governor, to a "key" position in government. When these individuals continue to represent their old special interest groups, at public expense, they act as AOIs. President Bush has appointed more AOIs than any other President, and these AOIs have caused significant damage to environmental protection, alternative energy efforts, and other essential programs. Since AOIs often act to harm most Americans, we need to know who they are and what they are doing. When members of Congress directly or indirectly accept money to promote a special interest cause, harmful to public interests, they should also be listed as AOIs. |
|
TOPIC: Right-To-Know
The mega-farms, giant food corporations, and trade companies have convinced Congress that Americans do not need to have detailed information about what they are eating. Over the years, these special interests have increased profits by producing, selling, or importing less healthful foods. These foods typically have lower nutrient and mineral contents, while having higher contents of harmful elements; e.g. antibiotics, hormones, chemicals, heavy metals, etc. The other aspect of the problem is that very few foods are actually inspected by USDA, or others. In the case of imported foods, we seldom know the real contents. Overall, federal officials have failed to protect the public interests. Oklahoma now needs to determine what can actually be accomplished, at the state level, to improve our food quality and safety. All of us have a right-to-know what we are actually consuming. |
|
TOPIC: Implementation
Make "100 Ideas" more than just a PR effort, actually try to implement the the ideas that could help meet proven needs. |
|
TOPIC: Education System and Administration
Education system and administration: 1 superintendent per county; hold students accountable for grades and attendance; budget; more support for teachers; transportation and highway care.
Tiffany Kirkpatrick, Nigal Kirkpatrick, Jack Test, Bryon Test, Ruby Gibson, Vernon Gibson, Hal Clark. |
|
TOPIC: Allow businesses to sell alcohol near churches
The legislature needs to reform statutes to allow businesses selling alcohol to operate near churches and schools in commercial districts.
Tiffany Kirkpatrick, Nigal Kirkpatrick, Jack Test, Bryon Test, Ruby Gibson, Vernon Gibson, Hal Clark. |
|
TOPIC: Agriculture research station
Establish an agriculture research station at Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
David Brane, Bill Dow, Jaime Gonzalez, Charles White, Al Chill, Amelia Elly, Terry Bookout. |
|
TOPIC: Clearing house for insurance claims
Establish a clearing house for insurance claims accessible upon the death of an individual.
David Brane, Bill Dow, Jaime Gonzalez, Charles White, Al Chill, Amelia Elly, Terry Bookout. |
|
TOPIC: Improve Panhandle Highways
Improvement of Panhandle highways (412)
David Brane, Bill Dow, Jaime Gonzalez, Charles White, Al Chill, Amelia Elly, Terry Bookout. |
|
TOPIC: Improve our schools
Bring Oklahoma public schools from 50th in the nation to the teens or high 20s before levelling off. Stay committed to improving public education. Get started and get out of the basement. Determine to become top 25 in the world in the next 100 years. Dare to think outside-of-the-box. Permit high school dropouts to finish online or at night school.
Mike Shannon, Helen Fairbanks, Arleen James, Alysha Locke, Stewart Lower, Leroy Montano. |
|
TOPIC: Title insurance
No abstracts: use title insurance. It's less expensive to consumers. Only two states have abstracts.
Mike Shannon, Helen Fairbanks, Arleen James, Alysha Locke, Stewart Lower, Leroy Montano. |
|
TOPIC: Fund road improvements
Fund road improvements through toll roads and fuel tax.
Mike Shannon, Helen Fairbanks, Arleen James, Alysha Locke, Stewart Lower, Leroy Montano. |
|
TOPIC: Improve Hwy 54
Improve Hwy 54.
Mike Shannon, Helen Fairbanks, Arleen James, Alysha Locke, Stewart Lower, Leroy Montano. |
|
TOPIC: County Control of Taxes
Let each county control tax receipts generated from said county.
Chris Perkins, Ken Lane, Kim Grande. |
|
TOPIC: Include the Panhandle
The Panhandle needs to be included with the rest of the state. Improving roads and air transportation to the Panhandle could help alleviate our segregation.
Chris Perkins, Ken Lane, Kim Grande. |
|
TOPIC: Water aquifer
Water aquifer depletion- need incentives for universities to study ways to make irrigation more efficient. Tax breaks or additional state funds to universities.
Chris Perkins, Ken Lane, Kim Grande. |
|
TOPIC: Raise taxes on trucks
Funding: raise taxes on trucks, do away with abstract office, better foundations to begin with, and raise the number of weigh stations or fees.
Miranda Gilbert, Norman Hamilton, Jolene Hamilton, Peggy Keenar, Pauline Braley, Frankie Jackson, Dick Jackson.
|
|
TOPIC: Wind energy infrastructure
Wind energy infrastructure transmission with helping Oklahoma getting energy out and in. Funding: state or district owned cooperative by citizens. Citizens invest. Citizens control.
Ted Graham, Ivan Clark, Bob Anderson, Phyllis Anderson, Joe Lane, Dean Kear. |
|
TOPIC: Stop being an abstract state
Stop being an abstract state; allowing for better economic development is hindrance to development. Undue expense is on the owner.
Ted Graham, Ivan Clark, Bob Anderson, Phyllis Anderson, Joe Lane, Dean Kear. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Provide teachers with an alternative retirement program such as an investment plan. A plan would be picked by the educator and employer contributions would be placed in their account. Other states already provide teachers with this option to their state retirement plan and it has been successful. |
|
TOPIC: Windpower
Windpower convert H2o to H to transport energy.
Billie Mayo, Jerry Howard, Loren Sizelove, Bryce Marlatt, Rep. Gus Blackwell. |
|
TOPIC: Fewer superintendents
One superintendent per county.
Diane Hanold, Marny Dunlap, Dana Hope Chism, Glenda Russell, Barbara Royce, Linda Tharp, Chris Rogers. |
|
TOPIC: Water pipeline
Build a water pipeline from eastern OK to the panhandle to cycle excess water.
Roger Hester, Alan Jett, Harold Kachel, Tyler Norvell. |
|
TOPIC: Website for community
Website that matches retirees talents with community need. (e-harmony)
Diane Hanold, Marny Dunlap, Dana Hope Chism, Glenda Russell, Barbara Royce, Linda Tharp, Chris Rogers.
|
|
TOPIC: Statewide Garage Sell
Statewide garage sell with profits going to meet community need.
Diane Hanold, Marny Dunlap, Dana Hope Chism, Glenda Russell, Barbara Royce, Linda Tharp, Chris Rogers. |
|
TOPIC: Improve public transportation
Improve/expand public transportation.
Diane Hanold, Marny Dunlap, Dana Hope Chism, Glenda Russell, Barbara Royce, Linda Tharp, Chris Rogers. |
|
TOPIC: Continue 100 Ideas
Continue 100 Ideas- do not fizzle!
Diane Hanold, Marny Dunlap, Dana Hope Chism, Glenda Russell, Barbara Royce, Linda Tharp, Chris Rogers. |
|
TOPIC: Coordinated case management
Coordinated case management (all social and economic services)
Diane Hanold, Marny Dunlap, Dana Hope Chism, Glenda Russell, Barbara Royce, Linda Tharp, Chris Rogers. |
|
TOPIC: Senior friendly communities
Senior friendly communities: better street signage; improved crosswalks; well lit streets; affordable housing.
Beth Patterson, Phyllis Morris, Christi Jernigan, Char Carter, Laura Gamble, Carrie Wiggs. |
|
TOPIC: Productive life skills for prisoners
Statewide coordinated efforts toward prison discharge planning: productive life skills.
Beth Patterson, Phyllis Morris, Christi Jernigan, Char Carter, Laura Gamble, Carrie Wiggs. |
|
TOPIC: Mandated directives to credit card companies
Mandated directives to credit card companies: no soliciting to Oklahomans under 25.
Beth Patterson, Phyllis Morris, Christi Jernigan, Char Carter, Laura Gamble, Carrie Wiggs. |
|
TOPIC: Mandated life skills classes
Mandated life skills classes in high schools: debt management and checking account management, sex education and self respect, budgeting.
Beth Patterson, Phyllis Morris, Christi Jernigan, Char Carter, Laura Gamble, Carrie Wiggs. |
|
TOPIC: Encourage physical activity
Encourage physical activity at all ages; community walking/ running trails or outdoor exercise trails.
Joy Leuthard, Bill Weaver, Heide Brandes, Stacy Dykstra, Sally Ray. |
|
TOPIC: Increased public transportation
Increase public transportation that is affordable in all areas of the state, public acceptance of the need.
Joy Leuthard, Bill Weaver, Heide Brandes, Stacy Dykstra, Sally Ray. |
|
TOPIC: Parent tutoring
Parent tutoring to tell children about importance of education plus home early experience and education.
Joy Leuthard, Bill Weaver, Heide Brandes, Stacy Dykstra, Sally Ray. |
|
TOPIC: Tax breaks for physicians
Tax breaks for physicians that provide primary care to all uninsured pregnant women and medicaid for undocumented pregnant women.
Joy Leuthard, Bill Weaver, Heide Brandes, Stacy Dykstra, Sally Ray. |
|
TOPIC: Health care for uninsured
Health care for uninsured or anyone needing care, primarily women.
Joy Leuthard, Bill Weaver, Heide Brandes, Stacy Dykstra, Sally Ray. |
|
TOPIC: Fair dollars for faith based programs
Make sure that there are fair dollars; government funding for faith based programs; state and city community interests.
Clyde Cook, Blair Schoeb, Jeton Woody, Pat Fennell, Charlotte New. |
|
TOPIC: Money for public schools
More money for public schools for music, arts, sports, nutrition education and languages.
Clyde Cook, Blair Schoeb, Jeton Woody, Pat Fennell, Charlotte New. |
|
TOPIC: Housing for prisoners
More housing for re-entry for prisoners.
Clyde Cook, Blair Schoeb, Jeton Woody, Pat Fennell, Charlotte New. |
|
TOPIC: Housing for people with mental illness
Give tax credits for developers to incorporate units for individuals with mental illness to live; i.e. integrate housing with community support services.
Clyde Cook, Blair Schoeb, Jeton Woody, Pat Fennell, Charlotte New. |
|
TOPIC: Mental Illness in Oklahoma
Oklahoma leads the United States in percentage of people with mental illness; establish research and treatment facility for psychiatric and mental health; set up a national model for wholistic approach with community.
Clyde Cook, Blair Schoeb, Jeton Woody, Pat Fennell, Charlotte New. |
|
TOPIC: Prevention focus
Prevention focus. Early childhood educators paired with family support and community services.
Clyde Cook, Blair Schoeb, Jeton Woody, Pat Fennell, Charlotte New. |
|
TOPIC: Biosecurity & Food Security
Federal programs for biosecurity and food security continue to have many major deficiencies. Oklahoma needs to explore ways and means to help educate all segments of our agriculture industry on proven biosecurity techniques. These techniques provide ways and means to help protect our food supplies from any acts of bioterrorism. At the same time, the state can work to improve food security by creating a program to quickly alert the public when threats to our food supplies are discovered. (This alert system would supplement existing efforts in this regard.) In addition, our state laws should help support "buy-fresh, buy-local" food marketing efforts as one viable food security solution. |
|
TOPIC: Remove OTA
I believe that by removing the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and therefore removing turnipikes, we will see a major economic boom, especially between Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Miami, and Tulsa and Muskogee. Plus the fact I don't like the idea of a private company controlling federally funded highways. Let's take back our state's highway system and stop catering to the "Good Ole' Boys" of yesteryear. |
|
TOPIC: Citizenship Education
The U.S. has never been a true democracy. For many years, we had a working republic and representative democracy that helped achieve the greatness of America. While most of us assumed that all was well, wealthy and powerful special interests worked to create a "regulatory oligarchy" designed to protect their interests at the public expense. Each year, we suffer loss of more freedoms because most of us do not understand how our government should work for the benefit of all. The way to correct this problem, is to provide more citizenship education in schools as well as educating the public in the actions needed to preserve our freedoms. |
|
TOPIC: Veterans Protection
The federal government has a history of neglecting our veterans, and finding ways to escape payment of benefits due. A recent technique, by the Dept. of Defense (DOD), is to refuse treatment for Iraq War veterans with PTSD. These soldiers were discharged for having alleged psychological conditions prior to enlistment. Thus, DOD can refuse to provide or pay for treatment for these veterans. DOD's focus is on dollars saved, not lives saved. Congress is always slow to correct these types of abuses. State employees having any responsibility for veterans affairs, need to be far more aggressive in communicating with, and protecting, our veterans. When the federal government is found to be abusing our veterans, the state needs to take appropriate legal action. This situation is particularly true for members of our National Guard who seem to have taken the most abuse(s) from DOD. |
|
TOPIC: School Specialization vs. Consolidation
Rural communities want to retain their schools as a status symbol, and focus for sustaining community viability. We still have some 450 small rural schools for 77 counties, and many of these schools are reasonably close together. Consolidation is too much of a political issue, and will probably prevent consolidation from happening. However, varied school specialization, split grades among schools, "magnet" schools development, and multiple-school teachers/ adminstrators could be used to greatly improve small rural schools, while reducing costs. |
|
TOPIC: At-large candidacy for city races
Persons running for city council and persons or trustees in small rural communities should be required to run as "at large candidates." Hopefully this would eliminate those running for "prestige" and encourage those willing to work for the community. |
|
TOPIC: Carbon Neutral Legislation
Oklahoma could benefit, in many ways, by acting to help make our state carbon neutral. Zero net-energy home and building construction needs to be promoted. Vehicles that fail to meet minimum fuel use standards should be discouraged by a special carbon tax on dealers. The use of alternative energy, and energy conservation, should be encouraged. An array of carbon sequestration efforts must be supported. The public could be encouraged to only buy and use energy efficient appliances/ equipment. Clean waste-to-energy technologies may be utilized. These and similar actions are urgently needed. There is ample scientific evidence that the public, our economy, and the environment would achieve several positive results from such efforts. |
|
TOPIC: New Tourist Attraction(s)
Oklahoma needs to develop more new tourist attractions. It seems that we are missing a real opportunity with all the Native American tribes ---plus the many tribal refugees from overseas areas--- all located in Oklahoma. As one option, I suggest development of an Indigenous Cultural Preservation Center based on the very successful Polynesian Cultural Center, in Hawaii. The idea is to create new and very unique opportunities for tourists. |
|
TOPIC: Stop Taxing Charities
Charities generally assist the poor and provide other benefits for the public good, while saving the state and taxpayers millions of dollars ---by providing services that would otherwise need to be performed by government(s). Yet Oklahoma has elected to impose indirect forms of taxation on charities. As an example, our Oklahoma charity (NPI), originally incorporated in New Mexico, must pay an annual $100.00 "fee" to retain the Oklahoma Secretary of State as its registered agent. Despite the "clever" use of language, this fee is an indirect tax on our charities initially formed outside of Oklahoma. Other forms of indirect taxes (on all charities) are being explored, and all these will damage the public interest. |
|
TOPIC: Equality of Taxation
Under current state law(s), ad valorem taxes may only be increased 05 percent annually for a native resident of Oklahoma. Yet, the law allows for new arrivals to have their ad valorem taxes increased as much as 100 percent annually. Thus, equality of taxation is lacking and the resulting inequality damages our economic development efforts. |
|
TOPIC: Innovation Lottery
Inventors still have considerable difficulty in finding the funds needed to develop their inventions. If we did more to support our inventors, we could "grow" more businesses and jobs in Oklahoma. I suggest that a portion of our lottery be reserved to help fund inventors/ inventions meeting certain evaluation standards. Numbers of inventors/ inventions funded would depend on the availability of funds, but any such support is far better than what we have now. |
|
TOPIC: Competitiveness Task Force
In many ways Oklahoma is not competitive with many other states. Our Oklahoma company, NPI, worked to perfect a green biodiesel production technology based on a unique (patented)carbon sequestration method of algalculture to safely, efficiently, and economically grow very large quantities of lipid (biodiesel) producing microalgae. We will be commercializing subject green energy technology in another state because of the regulatory barriers in Oklahoma. A competitiveness task force is needed to help identify and remove these barriers. |
|
TOPIC: Electronic Medical Data
Eliminate the paper! One of the first steps in improving the efficiency and lowering health care costs is to put all medical records into a database. |
|
TOPIC: Adopt the Fair Tax
Adopt the Fair Tax system. By doing this you fairly distribute the tax burden by how much people spend and people below a certain income level receive credits, so their tax liability is zero. Also, by eliminating the corporate tax, we will bring business and jobs to Oklahoma. This will lower cost of goods and let the free market work as it should. |
|
TOPIC: Property Taxes
My suggestion is to eliminate senior citizens (65 +) from property taxes. This, along with a lower cost-of-living, would bring more retirees to our state. |
|
TOPIC: Hi-speed train
High speed rail / bullet train service linking KC (and perhaps St. Louis) to Tulsa, OKC and Dallas. At speeds of approximately 200 miles per hour, high speed rail would potentially expand business opportunities/ relationships and fuel economic development in this section of the country. |
|
TOPIC: MLS Soccer
Create an expansion professional soccer team (MLS) in either Tulsa or Oklahoma City.
The Tulsa Fairgrounds just lost a tenant (Bell's), and the Drillers want to leave their stadium at the fairgrounds, too. The new team could be an anchor at the Fairgrounds, and a new soccer stadium could host other events in the off-season. |
|
TOPIC: Stupid Law Removal
A task force is urgently needed to identify and program the removal of really "stupid" laws in Oklahoma. As an example, one state law reserves Paddlefish for sports fishing only, and precludes domestic rearing of these fish. Paddlefish are native to Oklahoma, and have long been part of the traditional Native American diet. Yet, we have a law preventing our Native American populations, and others, from engaging in aquaculture using Paddlefish. This is somewhat like having a law prohibiting Native Americans from rearing Buffalo. If Paddlefish production were made legal, there are several profitable commercial options ---and Native Americans should have the right to produce traditional foods. We have far too many stupid laws to list, but I hope my example gives you an idea why such laws need to be removed. |
|
TOPIC: Independent redistricting commission
We need to have an independent redistricting commission that keeps politicians from picking their constituents. Constituents need to pick from the best of a competition of ideas proposed by candidates. Much like the marketplace, we need to be able to maximize our choice as voters. No longer should we tolerate uncompetitive districts because the incumbent drew the lines to ensure his/her reelection. That is, in my opinion, corruption and non democratic. This is not a Republican or Democratic notion, but an American one. It's a question of freedom, freedom to choose! |
|
TOPIC: Eliminate Billboards
Eliminate Billboards Statewide!
Our roads are littered with junky billboards and the impression is terrible. I know this won't be popular with businesses, but if you've ever traveled in Vermont, you'll understand what a difference pristine roads can make to a state's image.
|
|
TOPIC: Sister State(s)
High rates of global poverty result in frustrated and angry populations. These peoples often react by supporting terrorist and insurgent groups. With over two billion poor, current efforts by the United Nations and others are insufficient to meet basic needs. USAID (the U.S. Agency for Intl. Development) has frequently given "aid" dollars to corrupt governments whose leaders used funds for personal gain. What is needed are direct people-to-people efforts that will help the poor to help themselves. Such an approach can provide significant contributions to world peace. Oklahoma could help by selecting a developing country, or one province within a developing country, as a "sister state." A working relationship would then be established, and a series of helpful exchange programs started to benefit the participants. If Oklahoma provides the example, other states would undertake similar exchanges in other developing nations. Thus, we would all contribute to the global peace efforts. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma bicycling
We could promote Route 66 as a cross-state cycling route at minimal cost. Like travelers in the first half of the 20th century, cyclists need services conveniently located at regular intervals, and the old road offers exactly that. Bicycle tourists spend nearly as much as motoring tourists, but they spend their money along a shorter stretch of road. Since Oklahoma has more miles of the original highway, we should use those miles to draw in more cyclo-tourists.
The only improvement necessary would be to pave a rideable shoulder on those portions of the road that do not presently have one. This could be done as part of routine upgrades and maintenance, but it would have to be uniform from end to end. |
|
TOPIC: Don't Sponsor Out-of-State Students
Please do not use our tax payers money to sponsor out-of-state students in our public colleges. |
|
TOPIC: Financing of Schools
Our State should not spend any money on primary or secondary education, that should be covered by local government.
|
|
TOPIC: Eliminate the Turnpikes
Please terminate all the turnpikes in our state.
Have you ever seen any turnpikes in those rich states (Ca. Tx. NY or Fl)?
Carefully calculate the net revenue from the turnpikes and add maybe a 2 cents tax to gasoline to cover the loss. |
|
TOPIC: Losers Pay System
Oklahoma should be the first state in the United States to have a "losers pay" system.
To my best knowledge (might not be true):
1. United States is the only country in the world, that does not have the "losers pay" system.
2. About 75% of all the lawyers in the world live in the United states, that has only about 4% of the world's population.
3. Up to 30% of our health care money is to prevent law suit through either directly (malpractice insurance) or indirectly (so-called protective medicine).
4. If we have the "losers pay" system, we might be able to avoid up to 80% of the law suit. It will certainly make our state the best place to live in the United States and lots of people and companies will be very happy to move to our state. |
|
TOPIC: Incentives for College Students
It would be good to incentivize college tuition by giving a break on tuition to those students that contractually commit to working within the state for a specified number of years upon graduation from college. This concept could be structured similiar to ROTC or I believe there is a similiar program that the Chickasaw Nation offers to its youth. Many of Oklahoma's best & brightest college students leave upon graduation. This is a loss in creativity, available workforce for companies we are trying to bring in, and so much more. Let's stop the "brain drain" and invest in keeping this creativity working for Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Shadow Programs in Schools
One major dilemma most high school seniors face is a lack of direction. This lack of direction is a direct result of not being able to view every day activities of different job types. How would one person know if he or she would like nursing if that person has never walked a day in a nurses shoes? My idea would be to have both private and government sponsored shadow programs in the summer or throughout the school year where certain businesses across the state can have community recognition by sponsoring a couple of days to students so they can begin to get an idea of what they want to do with thier lives early on. I think this would at least begin to provide some students some general direction. |
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Oklahoma needs to be far more aggressive in planning and implementing new modes of public transportation to reduce energy use, and take the pressure off some highways. In
addition, we need far more R & D (research and development) efforts related to improving the safety and efficiency of our highways -while also finding ways to dramatically reduce costs of highway construction. |
|
TOPIC: Grocery Taxes
Cut out the grocery tax. Put the money back in the pockets of the hard working Oklahomans. This would help generate economic growth in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Merge ODOT and Turnpike Authority
My suggestion is that you research the savings and potential advantages of combining the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority with ODOT. For many years, I have heard people make excuses for retaining these two agencies. TEXDOT in the state of Texas manages a budget which rivals the OK state budget with three commissioners who in separate meetings also manage the Texas Turnpike Authority. |
|
TOPIC: Tobacco Free Schools
Due to the high cost of medical services to the the people of Oklahoma and the health problems attributed to smoking, I suggest we make all schools in the state go to 24/7 tobacco free status as designated by the OK Health Dept. It will not cost us anything, it will present a good example for our youth, it may actually push some adults to quit smoking, and it may save Oklahomans millions in future medial costs. |
|
TOPIC: Cumulative Electronic Folders
We need an inter-school district tracking system that will allow students entering the first grade to be actually tracked when they move from school to school and district to district without being considered a "drop out" when they move from one place to another. Our drop out rate is high enough for those who actually do not finish school without it being inflated by those students who move from place to place. This would be like an electronic cumulative folder that would have grades, accomplishments, and test scores. This would help counselors in high school have an accurate transcript for students, allow college and universities to give credit for Advanced Placement courses etc. Now we have to depend on some one answering college questionnaires etc. We can track the immunization records for a child, why not their school records as well.
|
|
TOPIC: Governor and Lt. Governor
Have Governor and Lt. Governor on the same ticket for elction. This will make it easier for the Governor and Lt. Governor to work together.
|
|
TOPIC: Sales Tax
Eliminate sales tax on food and medicine, including supplements, for Oklahoma's senior citizens. Those people 65 years of age and older. |
|
TOPIC: Liquor Laws
Get rid of the present alcohol law and make it legal to sell 5.4 beer and liquor in grocery stores and gas stations. Please. |
|
TOPIC: Reform Executive Branch
If Oklahoma is ever to have good government, Oklahomans must change both the state constitution and the structure of the executive branch of state government. First, we must amend the constitution to establish a cabinet system of government in which the governor appoints the heads of the major departments and these officials directly report to and are responsible to the governor; the governor, in turn, is responsible to the people. The constitution should be amended to require that the executive branch be organized into a cabinet of no more than 15 departments, headed by a secretary that’s both appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Second, the governor must have the power to appoint the majority of members of these bodies soon after he or she takes office. Third, we should elect the governor and the lieutenant governor as a team. |
|
TOPIC: Placement of Art
Conference rooms have been placed blocking the public's view of two important pieces of art in the Capital. These pieces are on either side of the "Grand Staircase" and flamk the first piece of art placed in our Capital. The significance of these paintings are that they contain the 2,725 names of the Oklahomans that perished in World War I. I have been told that glass doors are planned for these conference rooms. However, I recently had a gentleman on tour whose father's name was on that wall and the only view he could have was from an art book that I carry with me on tours. Will he live long enough to see that name as he so richly deserves? Can we really be so desperate for conference rooms? When not in use, must the be locked and darkened? |
|
TOPIC: State Nursery
I am writing to urge consideration of a project such as Providence House. Providence House is a licensed nursery in the state of Ohio that houses 26 children from birth to five. It allows the parents to maintain custody of their children while seeking employment and housing. I am deeply concerned about making sure all children in Oklahoma have adequate housing, food, and medical attention.
|
|
TOPIC: 2 Year Budgets
I firmly believe that one reason we have wasteful spending in the legislature is because of the system. Naturally legislators write legislation that spend money, but there is little political incentive for being thrifty and/or cutting spending. My plan changes the incentive system and politically rewards cutting spending and reforming government. The idea is to simply mandate, by law, 2 year budgets (during even numbered years). Spending could only occur on odd numbered years with budgets for agencies, etc., being funded for a 2 year period. On even-numbered years no spending can occur without a declaration of an emergency. This would require a super-majority of both houses and the signature of the Governor. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Song on Road
"OKLAHOMA!"
This is to suggest a novel means of marketing our outstanding state through the state song, "Oklahoma!" It is possible to reproduce the notes of the song "Oklahoma!" with a vehicle that is proceeding along a roadway by adhering a strip of material to the roadway that has the proper protrusions or bumps formed in this material.
It is my suggestion to apply this means to roadways at the state borders such that occupants of those vehicles entering or leaving the state would hear the musical notes of the song caused by the strip. |
|
TOPIC: Energy
As corn and related food/ feed prices increase, corn ethanol production will have more limited opportunities to help meet energy demands. A better option, cellulosic ethanol production, is now being perfected by Iogen/ Petro. Oklahoma needs to position itself to use conservation lands to produce large Swithgrass crops that may form the basis for the safe, efficient, and economical production of cellulosic ethanol (the next bioenergy crop). |
|
TOPIC: Energy
Provide grants, tax incentives, and information programs in support of "zero net-energy" home and building construction using passive solar, alternative energy systems, composting toilets, greywater recycling, innovative construction techniques, etc. More details are available on the website for our Oklahoma charity, NPI (www.needfulprovision.org). |
|
TOPIC: Agriculture
Create tax incentives, amd other incentives, to promote the "buy-fresh, buy-local, buy-organic foods" program ---and organic school lunch programs--- both designed to reduce energy used to transport foods, while generally providing more healthful foods, and improving incomes for small farmers. |
|
TOPIC: raise min.wage
- Raise min. wage from $5.15 to $8.00 it help people try keep up raise in food and gas?
- Do away with income taxes for low-income people below $20,000.00, and increase income taxes for those who make more than $20,000.01. |
|
TOPIC: Taxes
I think the state of Oklahoma needs to do away with the food tax. Oklahoma claims to be so "family oriented" and a state that takes care of their residents. Food is a need (a necessity) and paying taxes on a need is just ridiculous. |
|
TOPIC: Parole Process
Remove the glorified position of allowing the Governor in the parole process. This would save millions of taxpayer dollars alone. |
|
TOPIC: Give Stray Dogs a Chance at Life!
There are so many animals needing to be adopted. The city of tulsa required all animals that are caught be given their shots and spayed or neutered. The cost for any dog is $50-$56. Like I'm sure many others cannot afford that. When I adopt a dog I can get all of it's shot get it spayed and neutered for $45. SpayOK goes off my very low income. I'll end up spending $100 or more on this dog when I get him just for adoption cost, toys, a new bed, healthy food, treats, a watering bowl, Advantage(or a natural substitue), leash, coller, and tags. If these dogs don't get adopted within a few days they will be put to sleep. They would've had two less dogs on their hands if I did'nt have to pay $112 for neutering that I could again get for only $80-$90. Please lower your Adoption Costs and give these poor animals a real chance at life!!!!! |
|
TOPIC: Lottery Tickets
I think that it would be a great idea to have a register in gas stations only for lottery tickets. Anyone purchasing a lottery ticket must use this register (none other). It is not fair that I should have to wait in line for 10 minutes to pay for gas, while another customer is standing in front of me constantly buying a ticket and scratching it off. That's not right! |
|
TOPIC: tourism
We need to make Oklahoma tourist friendly. Currently, Oklahoma seems to project a 'stay away from here' philosophy. The rest stops are an embarrassment. They are glorified Johnny-on-the-spots with walls. Some places don't even have facilities. Then you go across the MO state line and find glorious rest stops. The roads and bridges are dangerous unless you pay to drive on them. Paying for driving on the roads is not tourist friendly. There aren't any places to stop for food/ drink along the toll roads unless you run into the McDonalds that are strategically placed every few hours down the road. Whose brother-in-law owns the McD franchises along the toll roads? Why aren't other food chains represented? If I were a tourist I would try to avoid the whole state. |
|
TOPIC: Highway Beautification
Our highways, city streets and expressways are cluttered with junky signs - high/low billboards flashing lights and limited landscape. Part of civic responsibility is how we present Oklahoma to Oklahomans and visitors. Start by standardizing billboards and advertisingl make them consistant height and keep them maintained by businesses who own them. Bury telephone cables underground. Present a clean, zoned, organized and well planned landscape for our highways, city streets and expressways. |
|
TOPIC: Higher Ed and Secondary Schools
We spread way too many of our higher ed dollars across too many institutions. I suggest we convert one or more of our higher ed campus into academically superior, school of science of mathematics type residential secondary schools. We can have top flight secondary schools across the state that will use the facilities and perhaps even faculty of the unneeded colleges. |
|
TOPIC: Voter Education
We need to focus on helping Oklahoma voters make more qualified decisions on issues that appear on the ballot. Often not enough objective information is given to the voter prior to an election. The goal is to foster more faith in our government and bring democracy directly to the people.
Therefore, we need to develop a means of informing voters in Oklahoma similar to plans utilized in Colorado or to the plan outlined in the historical Oklahoma laws. This could be done in a variety of ways, such as appointing a task force to study this situation in our state and propose legislative recommendations or developing an Oklahoma Voter Information website which provides information to voters.
|
|
TOPIC: Space Port
Actively support the development of the "Space Port" in Burns Flat. This could certainly be a way to get us noticed by the rest of the U.S. and the world! |
|
TOPIC: Inmate Labor
Have all nonviolent inmates cleaning up our streets (both trash and weeds) in exchange for reduction in their sentences. |
|
TOPIC: Retirement Income Tax
Eliminate state income tax for retirees. Far too many move out of Oklahoma for strictly financial reasons. |
|
TOPIC: Fine Arts Endowment
Develop fine arts endowment for the state. This endowment would provide permanent funding for organizations such as the OKC Philharmonic, Canterbury Choral Society, Ballet Oklahoma and Tulsa Opera. The financial support of these fine organizations is vital to attract new businesses. |
|
TOPIC: Require Random Drug Testing
Require random drug testing for all welfare recipients...not unlike what any major employer performs. If fail the test, no benefits allowed and may be retested in three months. |
|
TOPIC: tax incentives for graduates
State income tax incentives for graduates of Oklahoma universities who stay in Oklahoma. We have too much brain drain! |
|
TOPIC: Mandate Sidewalks
Mandate sidewalks for all residential and comercial developments. Lack of such severely limits the public's ability to simply walk from one place to another. |
|
TOPIC: Liquor Laws
Adapt/change our liquor laws so that major grocery chains such as "Whole Foods" would be attracted to OKC and Tulsa. |
|
TOPIC: Mass Transit
Develop mass transit/light rail in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Expansion of Amtrak would be useful, especially between OKC and Tulsa. |
|
TOPIC: Consolidate School Districts
We currently have around 450 school districts in 77 counties for about 3.5 million people (way too many). We need to consolidate our school districts and thereby save a tremendous amount of money by reducing administrative costs. |
|
TOPIC: Energy Policy
Develop energy strategy road map. First, draw on considerable private sector resources and marry them with existing technology resources to mitigate the decline of Oklahoma's natural gas and oil production. This will help drive down production costs. Second, we should leverage our position as an energy leader and market Oklahoma as the single best location for resolution of virtually any energy related problems. Third, we must launch an effort to bring Oklahoma's unique and extensive renewable resources (wind, solar, biomass) to economic viability through development and research. |
|
TOPIC: Public Transportation
Expand public transportation to students to city parks.
Jim Scheihing,
Charles Johnson,
Julie Clark,
Ben Marlin,
Charles Oliver, and
Clint Stone
|
|
TOPIC: Consolidate School Districts
Common school consolidation.
Jim Scheihing,
Charles Johnson,
Julie Clark,
Ben Marlin,
Charles Oliver, and
Clint Stone
|
|
TOPIC: Consolidate Counties
Consolidate the county governments.
Jim Scheihing,
Charles Johnson,
Julie Clark,
Ben Marlin,
Charles Oliver, and
Clint Stone
|
|
TOPIC: Personal Income Taxes
Lower taxes on personal income.
Ric Moorr,
Richard P. Kerrick,
Jimmy Arter,
Ron Frost,
Kenneth Wohl,
Christian Sangree, and
Wayne Rohde
|
|
TOPIC: 911 expansion
Expand 911 dispatch for special need children.
Ric Moorr,
Richard P. Kerrick,
Jimmy Arter,
Ron Frost,
Kenneth Wohl,
Christian Sangree, and
Wayne Rohde
|
|
TOPIC: Speed Limits
Separate speed limits for bigger trucks;slower traffic stay in right lane.
Larry Stevens,
Deborah Garner,
Nancy Nichols,
Toni Weinmeister,
Janet Yowell,
Michele Timbor,
Dan O'Neil, and
Ella Sprung
|
|
TOPIC: Municipal Revenue
Explore legislation allowing municipalities to charge for city services/Amend State Constitution to allow cities to use advalorem taxes for general operations.
Larry Stevens,
Deborah Garner,
Nancy Nichols,
Toni Weinmeister,
Janet Yowell,
Michele Timbor,
Dan O'Neil, and
Ella Sprung
|
|
TOPIC: Pike Pass Coordination
Pike pass coordinate with other states. (ex. Be able to use Oklahoma pike pass on Kansas turnpikes).
Larry Stevens,
Deborah Garner,
Nancy Nichols,
Toni Weinmeister,
Janet Yowell,
Michele Timbor,
Dan O'Neil, and
Ella Sprung
|
|
TOPIC: Wine and Liquor Regulation
Sale of wine & liquor in grocery stores. and be able to import wine/buy wine from other states (order from states), shipping….
Larry Stevens,
Deborah Garner,
Nancy Nichols,
Toni Weinmeister,
Janet Yowell,
Michele Timbor,
Dan O'Neil, and
Ella Sprung
|
|
TOPIC: Tuition Incentives
FREE in-state tuition for Oklahoma residents with stipulation to stay in state after graduation.
Larry Stevens,
Deborah Garner,
Nancy Nichols,
Toni Weinmeister,
Janet Yowell,
Michele Timbor,
Dan O'Neil, and
Ella Sprung
|
|
TOPIC: Transportation Districts
Create improvement transportation districts - Business charges an extra sales tax or property tax to improve roads, etc. Explore legislation allowing transportation improvement districts.
Larry Stevens,
Deborah Garner,
Nancy Nichols,
Toni Weinmeister,
Janet Yowell,
Michele Timbor,
Dan O'Neil, and
Ella Sprung
|
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Website
Oklahoma Website: Links to all cities and sights of interest in Oklahoma. Each city could have their own.
Pat Goodin,
Randy K. Stafford,
Angie Johnson,
Jennifer Warlick,
Tim Deimund,
Steve Reeser,
Kristine Allen, and
Tom Bubb
|
|
TOPIC: Promote Oklahoma
Promote Oklahoma:Hire agency/group to promote state of Oklahoma; bring New jobs to Oklahoma
Pat Goodin,
Randy K. Stafford,
Angie Johnson,
Jennifer Warlick,
Tim Deimund,
Steve Reeser,
Kristine Allen, and
Tom Bubb
|
|
TOPIC: Drug Testing for Welfare
Random drug testing welfare recipients - in order to get their benefits.
Pat Goodin,
Randy K. Stafford,
Angie Johnson,
Jennifer Warlick,
Tim Deimund,
Steve Reeser,
Kristine Allen, and
Tom Bubb
|
|
TOPIC: Rail Service
Express rail service - Crisscross the state.
Saundra Nafieh,
Paula Sanford,
Theresa Asbury,
Stefanie Duesman,
Sherry Earnst,
Todd E. Pauley, and
Rep. Ken Miller
|
|
TOPIC: Technology
Develop connecting technology system like One Net but availabe to general public.
Saundra Nafieh,
Paula Sanford,
Theresa Asbury,
Stefanie Duesman,
Sherry Earnst,
Todd E. Pauley, and
Rep. Ken Miller
|
|
TOPIC: Natural Resource Conservation
Voluntary tip (at restaurants, etc.) to be used for conserving natural resources.
Saundra Nafieh,
Paula Sanford,
Theresa Asbury,
Stefanie Duesman,
Sherry Earnst,
Todd E. Pauley, and
Rep. Ken Miller
|
|
TOPIC: School of Arts
Create Oklahoma School of Arts (similar to School of Math and Science).
Saundra Nafieh,
Paula Sanford,
Theresa Asbury,
Stefanie Duesman,
Sherry Earnst,
Todd E. Pauley, and
Rep. Ken Miller
|
|
TOPIC: Beer
3.2 beer should be under the ABLE commission.
Saundra Nafieh,
Paula Sanford,
Theresa Asbury,
Stefanie Duesman,
Sherry Earnst,
Todd E. Pauley, and
Rep. Ken Miller
|
|
TOPIC: Liquor Laws
Sale all liquor in grocery stores.
Saundra Nafieh,
Paula Sanford,
Theresa Asbury,
Stefanie Duesman,
Sherry Earnst,
Todd E. Pauley, and
Rep. Ken Miller
|
|
TOPIC: Continuing Driver Education
Online continuing driver education & testing (every 5 years).
Saundra Nafieh,
Paula Sanford,
Theresa Asbury,
Stefanie Duesman,
Sherry Earnst,
Todd E. Pauley, and
Rep. Ken Miller
|
|
TOPIC: Funding and Reform
Parity of funding & reform (consolidation) of higher education institutions.
Jan Moran,
Lydia Miller,
Ken Moore,
Randal Shadid, and
Ray Hibbard
|
|
TOPIC: Road Improvements
Require all fuel taxes to be used for road improvements.
Jan Moran,
Lydia Miller,
Ken Moore,
Randal Shadid, and
Ray Hibbard
|
|
TOPIC: Consolidate Counties
Consolidation to 15 counties in the state.
Jan Moran,
Lydia Miller,
Ken Moore,
Randal Shadid, and
Ray Hibbard
|
|
TOPIC: Consolidate School Districts
Consolidation of school districts in Oklahoma.
Jan Moran,
Lydia Miller,
Ken Moore,
Randal Shadid, and
Ray Hibbard
|
|
TOPIC: Reform Election Laws
Encourage candidates by reform of election laws - high quality candidates.
Natalie Price,
Tonya Coffman,
James Hill,
Wayne Page,
Peggy Geib,
Patrice Douglas,
Christian Trimble, and
Anita Kelley
|
|
TOPIC: Early childhood education
Implement early childhood education.
Natalie Price,
Tonya Coffman,
James Hill,
Wayne Page,
Peggy Geib,
Patrice Douglas,
Christian Trimble, and
Anita Kelley
|
|
TOPIC: Assisted Living Centers
State-assisted living for seniors (assisted living centers).
Natalie Price,
Tonya Coffman,
James Hill,
Wayne Page,
Peggy Geib,
Patrice Douglas,
Christian Trimble, and
Anita Kelley
|
|
TOPIC: Mass Transit
Mass public electric transportation (to meet environment needs). Elevated rail system to suburban areas to make best use of entertainment venues downtown (Bricktown) to meet needs of retiring people. Paid for by the Fine Arts/Entertainment alliances, theater alliances or take portion of Bricktown sales tax receipts.
Nick Davis,
Beth Waddelow,
Alice Collinsworth,
Rick Barnes,
Carol Hartzog,
Deena Kelley, and
Kim Reid
|
|
TOPIC: NASCAR Track
NASCAR Track in western Oklahoma with incentives to bring track in from income balanced with track receipts.
Nick Davis,
Beth Waddelow,
Alice Collinsworth,
Rick Barnes,
Carol Hartzog,
Deena Kelley, and
Kim Reid
|
|
TOPIC: Merge Boards of Regents
Merge the comprehensive & regional board of regents - restructure (regional/comp - UCO/OU/OSU) appointment system to an equitable representation based on student numbers or some other criteria.
Nick Davis,
Beth Waddelow,
Alice Collinsworth,
Rick Barnes,
Carol Hartzog,
Deena Kelley, and
Kim Reid
|
|
TOPIC: Fast Rail
Transportation: Extend transit system - fast rail *AmeriRail.
Leland McLing,
Greg Elwell,
Brenda Lyons, and
Carrie Hoge
|
|
Idea #1560 - submitted by: Oklahoma Conference of Mayors IdeaRaiser, Oklahoma City; 7/12/2007 1:15:51 PM
TOPIC: Mentoring Programs
Statewide education advancement mentoring programs for dropout prevention and academic encouragement. - Under leadership of Sandy Garrett…
Richard Chapman,
Chris Whatley,
Maegan Hambrick,
Teresa Mullican,
Joe Johnson, and
Cheryl Dorrance
|
|
Idea #1559 - submitted by: Oklahoma Conference of Mayors IdeaRaiser, Oklahoma City; 7/12/2007 1:15:32 PM
TOPIC: Space Port
Develop space port at Burns Flat.
Richard Chapman,
Chris Whatley,
Maegan Hambrick,
Teresa Mullican,
Joe Johnson, and
Cheryl Dorrance
|
|
Idea #1558 - submitted by: Oklahoma Conference of Mayors IdeaRaiser, Oklahoma City; 7/12/2007 1:15:17 PM
TOPIC: Municipal Finance
Municipal Finance: Balance of funding, enable local communities flexibility to fund services through a locally decided funding mix to attract high quality jobs & retain Oklahoma's best & brightest.
Richard Chapman,
Chris Whatley,
Maegan Hambrick,
Teresa Mullican,
Joe Johnson, and
Cheryl Dorrance
|
|
Idea #1557 - submitted by: Oklahoma Conference of Mayors IdeaRaiser, Oklahoma City; 7/12/2007 1:14:48 PM
TOPIC: Housing Developers
Tax credits available for housing developers or incentives.
Doug Haines,
Don Baltazor,
Alan Riffel, and
Enwice Wise
|
|
Idea #1553 - submitted by: Oklahoma Conference of Mayors IdeaRaiser, Oklahoma City; 7/12/2007 1:12:59 PM
TOPIC: Access Fee
Access fee 5% for turnpike usage repairs/improvements release fund for other usage.
Jimmy Tramel,
Ken Carmack,
Jerry Johnston,
Dale Green,
Glenn Dorr, and
Terry Srader
|
|
Idea #1552 - submitted by: Oklahoma Conference of Mayors IdeaRaiser, Oklahoma City; 7/12/2007 1:12:39 PM
TOPIC: Sales Tax
Sales tax funding needs supplement from property taxing compete with county.
Jimmy Tramel,
Ken Carmack,
Jerry Johnston,
Dale Green,
Glenn Dorr, and
Terry Srader
|
|
Idea #1548 - submitted by: Oklahoma Conference of Mayors IdeaRaiser, Oklahoma City; 7/12/2007 1:11:00 PM
TOPIC: Social Problems
Social problems - Casinos rehab programs; % of income reserved for rehab & preventive training.
Larry Stump,
Homer Nicholson,
Margarette Redwing,
Rita Lamkin, and
Bill Fanning
|
|
TOPIC: income tax
try lower income tax on paycheck or do away state income tax on people many belower than
$20,000.00? and put higher on people make over $20,000.01 |
|
TOPIC: Rural Health
Rural Health - Education:
Recruitment of physicians to under served areas to increase standards.
Incentives for practitioners to provide community education.
Joel Sturm,
Dave McCarty,
Matthew Scott,
Jim Edwards,
|
|
TOPIC: Medicaid
Rural Health - Medicaid
Min. req. for recipients
Waiting period for out-of-state
Joel Sturm,
Dave McCarty,
Matthew Scott,
Jim Edwards,
|
|
TOPIC: Insurance Solutions
Bring "insurance" to the "solution table". (Providers are told cost for care too high, but insurance companies need to address cost of insurance.
Tax break for low income families
Complete overhaul -prov insurance - rec. premium tied to income.
Joel Sturm,
Dave McCarty,
Matthew Scott,
Jim Edwards
|
|
TOPIC: Unclaimed Money
Unclaimed money or funds to be put in interest bearing account.
Tami Ross, O.D.,
Carl Newton,
Martha Royster,
Pati Mahan,
Doug Penisten,
Kim Hefner, O.D.
|
|
TOPIC: Mineral Rights
Unclaimed mineral rights go back to the land owner (surface).
Tami Ross, O.D.,
Carl Newton,
Martha Royster,
Pati Mahan,
Doug Penisten,
Kim Hefner, O.D.
|
|
TOPIC: Bartering Data Base
Developing a data base matching financially secure dependent adults with financially challenged independent adults to barter Healthcare for room and board.
Tami Ross, O.D.,
Carl Newton,
Martha Royster,
Pati Mahan,
Doug Penisten,
Kim Hefner, O.D.
|
|
TOPIC: Infant SEE program
Increase the awareness of infant SEE to help promote literacy in Oklahoma.
Tami Ross, O.D.,
Carl Newton,
Martha Royster,
Pati Mahan,
Doug Penisten,
Kim Hefner, O.D.
|
|
TOPIC: Mandatory Visual Acuity Assessment
Require visual acuity assessment at license renewal after age 65.
Tami Ross, O.D.,
Carl Newton,
Martha Royster,
Pati Mahan,
Doug Penisten,
Kim Hefner, O.D.
|
|
TOPIC: Recycling and Renewable Energy
Increase recycling and use of natural resources like wind/solar power.
Michael Bennett,
Troy Brooks,
Charles Tucker, DDS,
Cody Erikson,
Sonna Russell,
Stephanie Rice
|
|
TOPIC: Companion Services
Allow companion services to be less restrictive than current Okla. laws allow. To allow seniors to stay at home longer before entering nursing care services.
Michael Bennett,
Troy Brooks,
Charles Tucker, DDS,
Cody Erikson,
Sonna Russell,
Stephanie Rice
|
|
TOPIC: Health Incentives
Incentives with health insurance fees to choose healthy lifestyles. Penalties for those who chose unhealthy lifestyles like smoking and obesity.
Michael Bennett
Troy Brooks
Charles Tucker, DDS
Cody Erikson
Sonna Russell
Stephanie Rice
|
|
TOPIC: Iris Scanning
Iris scanning for children to help recover missing/lost children.
Michael Bennett,
Troy Brooks,
Charles Tucker, DDS,
Cody Erikson,
Sonna Russell,
Stephanie Rice
|
|
TOPIC: Tax Reform
Mimic tax plans/rates incentives as fastest growing states to help increase our state population and tax base.
Michael Bennett,
Troy Brooks,
Charles Tucker, DDS,
Cody Erikson,
Sonna Russell,
Stephanie Rice
|
|
TOPIC: Bad Foods in Schools
Removing hydrogenated oils in schools and state facilities and increase to eating establishments.
Michael Bennett,
Troy Brooks,
Charles Tucker, DDS,
Cody Erikson,
Sonna Russell,
Stephanie Rice
|
|
TOPIC: Eye Exams/School
Comprehensive eye examinations required to enter public school (like immunization) include as insurance benefit (all children prepared to learn).
Jana Hickman
Saundra Naifeh
|
|
TOPIC: License Eye Testing
Drivers license vision test/screen every 10 years.
Jana Hickman,
Saundra Naifeh
|
|
TOPIC: Eye Injury Reporting
Emergency room requirement to report eye injuries to Health Department.
Jana Hickman,
Saundra Naifeh
|
|
TOPIC: Organ Donation
All drivers organ donors: Organ donation opt out instead of option.
Jana Hickman,
Saundra Naifeh
|
|
TOPIC: Liquor Laws
Change liquor laws to allow sales in grocery stores.
Joseph Phillips, O.D.,
Lacy Crissup,
Max Venard, O.D.,
Denise Roddy, O.D.
|
|
TOPIC: Arts
State fine arts endowment.
Joseph Phillips, O.D.,
Lacy Crissup,
Max Venard, O.D.,
Denise Roddy, O.D.
|
|
TOPIC: Auto Liability Reporting
Require insurance companies to report dropped auto liability to DPS or county Sheriff.
Joseph Phillips, O.D.,
Lacy Crissup,
Max Venard, O.D.,
Denise Roddy, O.D.
|
|
TOPIC: School Consolidation
Consolidation of school districts.
Joseph Phillips, O.D.
Lacy Crissup
Max Venard, O.D.
Denise Roddy, O.D.
|
|
TOPIC: Finance Classes
Add finance and credit counseling to high school curriculum.
Joseph Phillips, O.D.
Lacy Crissup
Max Venard, O.D.
Denise Roddy, O.D.
|
|
TOPIC: Mass Transit
Light rail/mass transit Tulsa/OKC.
Joseph Phillips, O.D.
Lacy Crissup
Max Venard, O.D.
Denise Roddy, O.D.
|
|
TOPIC: Fraud Prevention
Increased individual security and prevent ID fraud via iris code system (OAOP to lead).
Joseph Phillips, O.D.,
Lacy Crissup,
Max Venard, O.D.,
Denise Roddy, O.D.
|
|
TOPIC: Loan Forgiveness for Health Care Educators
Loan forgiveness for health care educators.
Travis Yadon, O.D.,
Myra Joy Frantz,
Daniel Adams, O.D.,
Russell Hopkins,
Michelle Welch, O.D.
|
|
TOPIC: Insurance Companies
Oklahoma insurance companies must comply to "any willing provider" laws.
Travis Yadon, O.D.,
Myra Joy Frantz,
Daniel Adams, O.D.,
Russell Hopkins,
Michelle Welch, O.D.
|
|
TOPIC: Loan Forgiveness
Loan forgiveness for healthcare practitioners in rural communities.
Travis Yadon, O.D.,
Myra Joy Frantz,
Daniel Adams, O.D.,
Russell Hopkins,
Michelle Welch, O.D.
|
|
TOPIC: Med School Funding
Increase funding to NSU-OCO for parity with OU med school, OK Osteo. School, etc. based on number of students and number of pfs. (professors) served.
Travis Yadon, O.D.,
Myra Joy Frantz,
Daniel Adams, O.D.,
Russell Hopkins,
Michelle Welch, O.D.
|
|
TOPIC: Wellness Programs
Compensate/Reward employers for successful wellness programs.
Kay Harris,
Debbie Morgan,
Kevin Rudeen,
Danny Hale,
Janet Lewis,
Dayla Morris,
Karen Tomayan
|
|
TOPIC: Healthcare Workforce Shortage
Explore the feasibility of cross training across practice areas and disciplines:
Licensure,
Accreditation,
National Exams
Patricia Garrett,
Deanna Lane,
Jana Montgomery,
Clare Delaney,
Marnie Calvert,
Jason Eliot,
Vicki Murray,
Sheryl McLam
|
|
TOPIC: Nursing Tax Incentives
Provide tax incentives and/or loan forgiveness to individuals pursuing advanced degrees to teach in nursing and allied health disciplines experiencing shortages.
Patricia Garrett,
Deanna Lane,
Jana Montgomery,
Clare Delaney,
Marnie Calvert,
Jason Eliot,
Vicki Murray,
Sheryl McLam
|
|
TOPIC: Healthcare Workforce Shortage
Financial Aid:
Allow students to work at a slower pace and still qualify for financial aid.
Hospital scholarships for other disciplines (not just nursing).
Linda Barren,
Linda Rider,
Steph Payne,
Paula Maisano, and
Susan Gaston
|
|
TOPIC: Healthcare Workforce Shortage
Mentoring Program: Health care agency goes into middle school to talk about career options and daily job routine.
Linda Barren,
Linda Rider,
Steph Payne,
Paula Maisano, and
Susan Gaston
|
|
TOPIC: Healthcare Workforce Shortage
Advertising:
Positive image of healthcare workers.
In areas that reach students (my space) and other media.
Linda Barren,
Linda Rider,
Steph Payne,
Paula Maisano, and
Susan Gaston
|
|
TOPIC: Healthcare Workforce Shortage
Rethink traditional work patterns for healthcare staff members (shorter hours, etc.).
Christine Kirk, RN,
Beverly Stiles,
Gayle McNish, RN,
Pam Kiser, RN,
Madonna Sanders, RN, and
Juana Head
|
|
TOPIC: Healthcare Workforce Shortage
Strengthen health exposure for young people: HOSA, Health Careers explorers posts, targeted ads.
Christine Kirk, RN,
Beverly Stiles,
Gayle McNish, RN,
Pam Kiser, RN,
Madonna Sanders, RN, and
Juana Head
|
|
TOPIC: Hospital Scholarships
Schools provide scholarships to hospitals who provide adjunct faculty.
Christine Kirk, RN,
Beverly Stiles,
Gayle McNish, RN,
Pam Kiser, RN,
Madonna Sanders, RN, and
Juana Head
|
|
TOPIC: Innovative Nursing Education
Develop and deliver alternative means of providing nursing education through the use of technology (video conferencing, etc.).
Jerry Scott,
Julie Scott Krywicki,
Gerald Scott,
Dalon Schuckman,
Noni Erb,
Lara Skaggs
|
|
TOPIC: Hospital Collaboration
State sponsored endorsements of more collaboration between hospitals (by lowering competition/lowering duplication of high end, specialty services).
Jerry Scott,
Julie Scott Krywicki,
Gerald Scott,
Dalon Schuckman,
Noni Erb, and
Lara Skaggs
|
|
TOPIC: Wellness Testing
Expand wellness opportunity by making available free testing of simple & quick, E.G. blood, X-ray to catch problems before more serious needs arise.
Jerry Scott,
Julie Scott Krywicki,
Gerald Scott,
Dalon Schuckman,
Noni Erb,
Lara Skaggs
|
|
TOPIC: For Profit Specialty Hospitals
Tax "For Profit" specialty hospitals to create on education fund to pay for nursing education.
Jerry Scott,
Julie Scott Krywicki,
Gerald Scott,
Dalon Schuckman,
Noni Erb, and
Lara Skaggs
|
|
TOPIC: Funding for Nursing Instructors
Increase funding for nursing instructors to increase availability of nursing education. (Sabbatical for clinical staff to teach, increase adjunct faculty).
Jerry Scott,
Julie Scott Krywicki,
Gerald Scott,
Dalon Schuckman,
Noni Erb, and
Lara Skaggs
|
|
TOPIC: Expand Education Capacity
Education: Expand Capacity:
More facility by providing incentives and students.
Matching dollars by private entities for faculty.
Maximizing pipe line flow.
Patti Davis,
Michael Cooper,
Doyle Fortney,
Jane Tune,
Linda Williams, and
Debbie Blanke
|
|
TOPIC: Healthcare Workforce Shortage
Workforce (including state employees):
Retirement incentives, expanding work life, starting age earlier.
Work life balance - ex: flexible shifts, daycare.
Patti Davis,
Michael Cooper,
Doyle Fortney,
Jane Tune,
Linda Williams, and
Debbie Blanke
|
|
TOPIC: Finance Education
Problem: The younger generation have no idea how to balance a checkbook, loan application, knowledge about credit scores.
Possible Solution: A) Create incentives for banks to send their bankers to educate students. B) Life after high school class. C) CRA ratings - State level requirements. D) Add business 101 or class for math standards.
Kevin Butler,
Michael Stevens,
Lacey Biffle,
James Griffith,
Danita R. Hayes,
Craig Buford, and
Jeff Johnson
|
|
TOPIC: Retention
Problem: Retention of the younger generation to stay in the state after graduation.
Possible Solutions: A) State tax credit B) Student loan repayment.
Kevin Butler,
Michael Stevens,
Lacey Biffle,
James Griffith,
Danita R. Hayes,
Craig Buford, and
Jeff Johnson
|
|
TOPIC: Residential Titles
Platted residential R/E should be able to transfer title like a car with any/all liens listed on front of title. Governing Agency / County Courthouse.
James Stones,
Randy Smith,
James McSpadden,
Angela Rhodes,
Kelly Jordan Davis,
Jennifer Gilstrap, and
Paul Foster
|
|
TOPIC: Tuition Transparency
College tuition and fees posted on website to see where funds being spent. (Similar to Government Transparency Act.)
James Stones,
Randy Smith,
James McSpadden,
Angela Rhodes,
Kelly Jordan Davis,
Jennifer Gilstrap, and
Paul Foster |
|
TOPIC: State Deposit Insurance
Develop a state deposit insurance program to supplement FDIC. This will increase the amount of deposit insurance for bank which should bring more deposits to Oklahoma.
James Stones,
Randy Smith,
James McSpadden,
Angela Rhodes,
Kelly Jordan Davis,
Jennifer Gilstrap, and
Paul Foster |
|
TOPIC: Eliminate Abstracts
Convert to title insurance state! Eliminate abstracts.
James Stones,
Randy Smith,
James McSpadden,
Angela Rhodes,
Kelly Jordan Davis,
Jennifer Gilstrap, and
Paul Foster |
|
TOPIC: Consumption Tax
Instate a Consumption Tax
Jack W. Dickey, Jr.,
Travis Dennett,
Terry L. Ross,
Kirk Pittman,
Bert Okah, and
Jack Stuteville
|
|
TOPIC: Surplus Land
Divest of surplus school land to allow for private ownership to enhance economic development. |
|
TOPIC: Remote Education
Expand remote education offering from major state colleges/universities - degree programs. |
|
TOPIC: School year increase
Increase public school year to international (industrial?) available; attendance terms - (currently 220-240 days/year). |
|
TOPIC: Family Safety
Here's an idea!
Why don't we have random road blocks and insurance check points like we used to. That way we could get some of the illegal folks driving around with no drivers license and liability insurance off of the road. By doing this you would get many drunk drivers, people on drugs or transporting drugs, and people carrying unauthorized weapons off the streets as well.
How many tragedy's could be avoided?
That would make all of our families safer. What idea could be better than family safety? Many of us feel like the the Government does not care about our safety or they would do something about this rediculous mess that they have allowed to happen.
Sincerely,
Mike Burke |
|
TOPIC: Grocery Sales Tax
Thirty states and the District of Columbia exempt most food purchased for consumption at home from the state sales tax.
Seven states tax groceries at lower rates than other goods; these states are Illinois, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah,(as of January, 1, 2007), Virginia, West Virginia and most recently Arkansas.
Five states-Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, South Dakota and Oklahoma-tax groceries fully, but supposedly offer rebates or credits offsetting some of the taxes paid on food by some portions of the population.
Two states continue to tax groceries to the fullest extent-with no relief in sight for low to middle income families.
Tulsa maintains a 8.35% sales tax. Oklahoma City sales tax is 8.375%.
In closing I would like to suggest that the state of Oklahoma gravely consider either lowering or eliminating the grocery sales tax for the entire state of Oklahoma to give it's citizens a break. |
|
TOPIC: Rail service
Provide Amtrak service to Tulsa via OKC or Kansas City, maybe even through a Springfield to St. Louis route. By connecting OKC to Tulsa and possibly north to KC and/or St.Louis would open up more tourism potential for Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: FTZ
Create an FTZ at the Tulsa International Airport much like the one at OKC Will Rogers World Airport. The former Air Force hanger might be something that could be involved with that. |
|
TOPIC: rapid transportation
There needs to be a rapid rail system set up to connect Tahlequah, Wagoner, Coweta, and Broken Arrow to Tulsa. The rail system should include a shuttle system to the Tulsa airport. This circuit could also include Muskogee.
Many students and professors travel this circuit daily.
Many old people live in these towns and need to get to Tulsa for medical reasons and shopping. Often they are too old to drive and have to depend on friends to drive them. That makes an inconvenience for everyone.
There has not been reliable public transportation between these towns for years.
Making a rapid rail system would save roads, congestion, and fuel. It would increase revenue for Tulsa and would be a win-win situation.
Other rapid rail systems should also connect smaller towns to Ok. City.
Albuquerque has instituted such a system and it really works to relieve traffic problems among other things. They have a train that connects Albuquerque to Belen, Las Lunas, and Bernaillo. |
|
TOPIC: conflict resolution
I think that coflict resolution should be taught to every student in middle school. They already get so much "violence resolution" training thru the media... I think it would even lead to more stable marriages as the kids grow up. Teaching them conflict resolution would instill communication skills before the teenage years - skills which would mature as the kids do. |
|
TOPIC: Future City
Future Cities, Oklahoma is made of many beautiful cities. A campain to have cities compete against each other (each of approximately the same size) to see who can revitalize thier cities. Items that would be addressed would be removal of old vacant homes and businesses. Cleanilness of the City. What has the city done to improve its habitat. What has the city done to reduce crime. Also what has the city done to help other communities around the city! Also what has the city done to become more energy efficient!
The cities winning the challange would recieve free advertisement paid by the state, a option to have a city facility renovated or something to that affect.
|
|
TOPIC: Security
Install security cameras at all key intersections, potential "hot spots",. Major cities like OKC,
Tulsa, and others could and should be blanketed with cameras. It would not help to deter crime but also aid the police in apprehending the criminals. With current technology you can even read expired license plates, you can monitor speed, illegal parking, unreported fires, there is no limit to a well planned installation. Thank you for the opportunity to offer our ideas.
Good luck and Gods Speed for the future of Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: education
Please cut the job of Superintendent from schools of less than 500 pupils in the entire system. Cut assistant supt. from school systems of less than 5,000. Put the savings into teacher instruction in secondary teaching methods for Public Secondary Tchrs.
Supt. Easterday at Tyrone sits at his desk and reads the paper. Supt. at Goodwell Public Schools has hall duty and drives a bus when needed. More ESL teachers at the secondary level with tching methods, please. Not "people skills" - whatever those are.
Please consider establishing 4Mat Teaching Methods for secondary teachers* at OPSU, Goodwell. Fund the improvement of secondary tchr. skills in the Panhandle.
*There's a 4Mat for TX Tchrs at Lubbock |
|
TOPIC: Index the Gas Tax
Index gas tax to fund needed transportation improvements.
Tim Armer, Rich Brierre, Jerry Lasker, Kevin Anderson. |
|
TOPIC: Explore PPPs
Explore using public-private partnerships for projects benefiting both rural and urban projects, including transit.
Tim Armer, Rich Brierre, Jerry Lasker, Kevin Anderson. |
|
TOPIC: Tranport from Tulsa to and from OKC
We need a high-speed, high-tech, non-stop transport for people and goods to and from Oklahoma City and Tulsa. It came be self/privately funded or state funded.
Ted Cundiff, Joyce Madewell, Paul Cornell, Stacie Gentry, Susan Poe, Jami Longacre. |
|
TOPIC: Small Vehicle Lanes
Bike or alternate small vehicle lanes for all roads.
Ted Cundiff, Joyce Madewell, Paul Cornell, Stacie Gentry, Susan Poe, Jami Longacre. |
|
TOPIC: Money for Transportation
Dedicate 100% of current transportation related revenues to transportation.
Mike Neal, Jerry A. Kreymer, John Hay, Bill Huckaley, Ronn Cupp, Gene Harris. |
|
TOPIC: Enhance Airports
Enhance our existing regional business airports.
Mike Neal, Jerry A. Kreymer, John Hay, Bill Huckaley, Ronn Cupp, Gene Harris. |
|
TOPIC: New State Statute
New State Statute: Adopt new legislation requiring bond for lawsuit against any public project.
Robert Rains, Terry Young, Bob Parmele, Kendall Adams, Xavier Neira.
|
|
TOPIC: Independent Authority
Independent Authority: To identify and prioritize allocation of dollars for highways and bridges.
Robert Rains, Terry Young, Bob Parmele, Kendall Adams, Xavier Neira. |
|
TOPIC: Trucks only lane
Make a trucks-only toll lane.
Rep. Mike Thompson, Robert Poole, Neal McCaleb, Tracy Kelly, Kell Kelly. |
|
TOPIC: Public Private Partnerships
We need public private partnerships to fund our transportation projects.
Rep. Mike Thompson, Robert Poole, Neal McCaleb, Tracy Kelly, Kell Kelly. |
|
TOPIC: Public Transportation
It's time to move forward with public transportation in Yukon, Canadian County and the rest of the state. Rail and bus service expansion was successfully funded with economic development funds in Dallas-Fort Worth, why not here? According to the American Public Transportation Association, an investment in public transportation translates into significant increases in business revenues and profits with every $10 million invested in transit capital projects yielding $30 million in business sales. That's a win-win for everybody, including seniors, economically disadvantaged people and citizens with disabilities who need public transportation in order work, go to the doctor and participate in their communties. |
|
TOPIC: Internet sales
Internet sales are hurting all Oklahoma businesses as well as costing us a large amount in sales tax dollars. I would like to see all products sold as retail into our state, taxed through the freight carrier. They in turn would charge the shipper a higher freight charge to make up for the charge. This would keep many of these sales from going out of state and we would not lose the sales tax. |
|
TOPIC: Criminal Justice
Marijuana needs to be decriminalized. With our prison populations hitting maximum capacity, and our state having some of the strictest marijuana laws, we should not be locking up people who are using a drug less harmful than alcohol or tobacco. Even the price of rehab treatment for drug offenders would be less than the cost of incarceration. Prisons should not be holding non-violent drug offenders who are doing nothing worse than your average Joe Six-Pack who has a couple of beers after work. By putting people away for lengthy sentences, our state does nothing to get people to stop using drugs. What we are doing is ruining peoples lives and costing taxpayers millions. Twelve other states have decriminalized marijuana including places like Alabama, Colorado, and Mississippi. It is time for Oklahoma to take progressive action. This issue should be put on the next election ballot. |
|
TOPIC: Local goverment finance
Alow city, and county goverment to seat aside a part funds generated for capital projects such as bridges, roads, sewers, water sysytems. ext. to be used for maintence, repair, or replacement when the need araises at a latter time. This would save the goverment bodie from coming to the tax payers and saying they will have to cut social severs to pay for the repair. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Require U. S. citizenship to receive residential status for tuition costs or fees at any state funded institutions of higher learning. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Require school districts with less than 500 students to combine superintendant and all principals into one position. Require school districts with 500-1500 students to combine superintendant and principals into two positions K-6 and 7-12. This would free up funds for badly needed teachers, equipment, or supplies.
This might be an incentive for nearby districts to join together which would also save costs.e |
|
TOPIC: Severance Tax on Water
Pass a severance tax on water leaving the state.
Jerry Blankenship, Dick McKnight, Janet Cordell, Eric Senson. |
|
TOPIC: 4-lane Turnpike to the Panhandle
We need to expand US 412 to 4-lanes and make it a turnpike from I-35 to the panhandle.
Jerry Blankenship, Dick McKnight, Janet Cordell, Eric Senson. |
|
TOPIC: Waive Income Tax
Waive the income tax for 2 years for people entering the work force (current or new Oklahoma residents).
Jerry Blankenship, Dick McKnight, Janet Cordell, Eric Senson |
|
TOPIC: Privatizing Infrastructure
Privatize our infrastructure system & roads.
Todd Earl, Bill Blunn, Jimmy Stallings, David Harmon, Martie Oyler, Sandra Robinett. |
|
TOPIC: Bio-fuel Vehicles
Make an Oklahoma-manufactured bio-fuel vehicle.
Todd Earl, Bill Blunn, Jimmy Stallings, David Harmon, Martie Oyler, Sandra Robinett. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Reality TV Show
Develop an Oklahoma reality show to spotlight our state.
Todd Earl, Bill Blunn, Jimmy Stallings, David Harmon, Martie Oyler, Sandra Robinett. |
|
TOPIC: Virtual Tourism
We need a system of virtual tourism. A place that harkens back to a by-gone era i.e. Jamestown.
Daron Rudy, Carol Williams, Orville Somers, Mary Somers, April Danahy, Cindy Allen, Kay Farrell. |
|
TOPIC: 4-lane highway to Guymon
We need to expand US 412 to 4 lanes in between Enid and Guymon, even if it is a toll.
Daron Rudy, Carol Williams, Orville Somers, Mary Somers, April Danahy, Cindy Allen, Kay Farrell. |
|
TOPIC: Year Round School
Year round school with flexible day parts to up effectiveness of education.
Daron Rudy, Carol Williams, Orville Somers, Mary Somers, April Danahy, Cindy Allen, Kay Farrell. |
|
TOPIC: Consolidate School Administrations
Consolidate school administration and paperwork. Privatize or consolidate services i.e. transportation and food.
Daron Rudy, Carol Williams, Orville Somers, Mary Somers, April Danahy, Cindy Allen, Kay Farrell. |
|
TOPIC: Expand Weather Resources
Expand the weather resources to be a national base of research and tourism.
Avis Forbes, Joc Forbes, Janie Word, Harold Swartz, Linda Wade, Lindy Chambers. |
|
TOPIC: Realign Oklahoma's agencies
Lets have a BRAC for Oklahoma's agencies to justify their existence- much like the one for the military.
Jeff Funk, Mike Jackson, David Myers, Norman A. Lamb, Ken Slack, Christy Arnold.
|
|
TOPIC: Teacher's and legislator's salaries
Raise teacher salaries and cut legislator's salaries.
Jed Dillingham, Patrick Anderson, Butch Edingfield, Rodney C. Murrow, Don B. Silagy, Clyde M. Sanford. |
|
TOPIC: Grants for Start-ups
Encourage economic development through state grants for start-up businesses. (It has an excellent payback)
Missy Cole, Robert Barron, Shelley Stutchman, Julie Nelson, Robert Chester, Philip Clover. |
|
TOPIC: Globalize Oklahoma
Globalize Oklahoma by becoming the internet start-up business mecca in the U.S.
Missy Cole, Robert Barron, Shelley Stutchman, Julie Nelson, Robert Chester, Philip Clover. |
|
TOPIC: Review Criminal Justice System
Our incarceration rates are too high, make a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system on sentencing and create an access to education in prison.
Kim Blankenship, Toni Pickle, Allan McCobb, Cheri Eggell, John Little, Jon Blankenship. |
|
TOPIC: Workforce Recruitment
Mandate 10% of existing state incentives to companies devoted to HR.
Kim Blankenship, Toni Pickle, Allan McCobb, Cheri Eggell, John Little, Jon Blankenship. |
|
TOPIC: Reorganize School Districts
Reorganize common education school districts, saved money to be reinvested in the school system.
Ed Vineyard, Cheryl Evans, Anita Andrew, Ross Dillon, Todd Ging, Brian Hayden, Frank Merritt. |
|
TOPIC: Light Rail Connection
Build light rail to connect Tulsa, Enid, OKC, and Lawton.
Mary Stallings, Molly Helm, Erin McCoy, John and Charla Enns, Wendy Quarles. |
|
TOPIC: Town Murals
Each town create murals highlighting strengths.
Mary Stallings, Molly Helm, Erin McCoy, John and Charla Enns, Wendy Quarles. |
|
TOPIC: Involving Kids in 100 Ideas
Involve kids in 100 Ideas through specific community projects at each grade level.
Mary Stallings, Molly Helm, Erin McCoy, John & Charla Enns, Wendy Quarles. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma's Image
Focus on Oklahoma's image through school uniforms.
Mary Stallings, Molly Helm, Erin McCoy, John and Charla Enns, Wendy Quarles. |
|
TOPIC: Turner Autobahn
Oklahoma should turn the Turner Turnpike into an Autobahn like toll road. Put the trucks and slow drivers on another parallel road and open the main road to cars without a speed limit. It would become a tourist attraction as well as bring Tulsa and Oklahoma City closer together. |
|
TOPIC: Highways and interstates
We need a real and viable direct highway (non-stop) from Tulsa to Dallas, an extention of I-45 from Dallas north to Tulsa.
We could either use the hwy-75/69 and/or parts of it to make an Interstate highway to link Tulsa to Dallas and better utilize I-44 to St. Louis. This would increase interstate as well as intra-state commerce for Tulsa and more over for the State of Oklahoma.
It's time to look for the future of Tulsa and the State. We need highways (interstates) and we needed them 20 years ago! |
|
TOPIC: Crime and punishment
Restructure sentencing to reduce the number of people who are sent to prison and get the Governor out of the parole process. |
|
TOPIC: Wages for Higher Educated
There should a minimum wage for people who have higher education. The minimum wage for someone with a degree should be higher than someone without a degree. Someone with a master's should be paid a minimum more than someone with a high school education. The education should be worth something. A person who has gone to college and graduated after 4 years should not be at the same minimum as someone who has not. This is the benefit for going to get a higher education. |
|
TOPIC: Ideas Department
I think there should be a government supported idea department. When a person creates an idea that the government can benefit from the government should pay for the patent or assist in the the efforts. That is, of course, if they approve of the idea. The government could also get a percentage of the revenue from the idea. That way the government will have revenue coming in. The revenue comes from the sales of the idea. For example: Lets say when Henry Ford invented the first car, if the government or state helped to fund his idea or patent, then the government or state would get a percentage of all sales on every car sold, not just the taxes. It is a win-win situation. The inventor gets paid for the idea by the consumers sales and the government or state get a percentage of all sales and profit. |
|
TOPIC: Minority pay evaluation
I believe that there should be an evaluation minority pay in all areas of all business. This could be done perhaps by the labor dept. etc. I am a minority with a masters degree and I feel that there are many minorities who are making less than their peers with equal or less education. Minorities are under paid in general. This is an opinion not a fact. I feel like this is accurate. I could be wrong but let's investigate and evaluate. |
|
TOPIC: Prisons
I like Sarah's idea of having prisons raise their own food. How about taking it further and letting them make some money for prison expenses by learning a trade and using it while doing time, something like a prison vo-tech. A bakery, a newspaper, painting the buildings, heat and air repair and so on; I would stay away from knife sharpening and gun cleaning. |
|
TOPIC: Alternative Energy Tax Incentives
It seems many people here are gearing their ideas toward helping the environment, and I think that is great. I think something that Oklahoma could very realistically implement is tax breaks for people willing to invest in residential alternative energy systems. States like California, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts pay up to half of the cost for their residents purchasing alternative energy systems. Another problem is that residential turbines are illiegal. That doesn't make much sense to me, because I believe they are safe and very efficient. It makes me a little angry that I can make a turbine in my backyard like this http://www.thekevdog.com/projects/wind_generator/, but I'm not allowed to use it.
Kevin Harris |
|
TOPIC: Urban Sprawl
Give tax incentives to businesses and individuals who purchase and renovate existing structures for homes and businesses and increase taxes on new construction. This will decrease the tax payer's burden for new streets and utilities for new housing editions and decrease fuel and transportation needs. |
|
TOPIC: Help those who try to help themselves
The lower to middle class working couples are the least provided for. We need a Health Insurance system that they can afford. My idea is to setup clinics across the state and have volunteer doctors provide services. Then, for a small fee $20 they could see a doctor and get some of the lower cost prescriptions the doctor prescribes. But, this should be run with timely appointments so they can get back to work. Sitting in a clinic or doctors office waiting for long periods is not practical.
We need to help those who are trying to help themselves!
|
|
TOPIC: Highway Safety
I suggest that Oklahoma get creative in ways to slow down 18 wheelers moving through our state. They seem oblivious to even the most obvious changes in conditions. When there is a fatality accident, they are very often involved, and I believe it is because of their speed.
I think all trucks should be required to remain in the right hand lane at all times. Their speed should not exceed 55 MPG for any reason. A sever fine should be imposed if a truck is in the left hand lane or going faster than 55.
I am just really tired of watching trucks disregard the safety of others on our roads. |
|
TOPIC: Health care
A universal health care system for all oklahomans funded through income taxes or state run insurance. |
|
TOPIC: Lightbulbs
I think we should save energy by switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent light blubs. We would save more money and it could go towards other things like teacher salary. |
|
TOPIC: More reusable prouducts
I think that we should use more reusable products and more recyclable things like paper and things like that so it doesn't pollute the air and would help the environment. We need to take better care of our land because if we don't, then we are just poisoning ourselves. We need to do more to stop global warming. For example, at my middle school, we use polystyrene and if we used regular plates it would save more money and help the environment. And with all the money that we save we can pay the teachers more and save money for better books for school. |
|
TOPIC: Wind Energy
I think Oklahoma should have wind energy because its efficent, clean,and cheap. |
|
TOPIC: Convert to steam power
We could burn our trash and to make steam energy and then use that to power stuff. And we could capture all the Co2 that comes out of the trash when it is burned and send that to the oil company for them to use. That way we don't put as much pollution in the air as we normally do. The engineers could build things that can run on steam power to help stop pollution in the air and thus helping stop global warming. |
|
TOPIC: Hydro-electric energy
I think that Oklahoma should have water powered generators that give Oklahoma's schools and businesses energy for their buildings while filtering the water and returning it to the lake.
Where could we put them? We could put these water generators in the Arkansas river to give schools and businesses energy.
Why?
Because the energy made by burning natural gas releases Co2 into the atmosphere causing pollution in Oklahoma and I think that Oklahoma needs cleaner energy sources to take some of the pollution out of Oklahomas air cleaning Oklahomas lakes and rivers. |
|
TOPIC: Battery Cars
I think that we should use battery cars so that we don't use our gas. That will save gas for other stuff that we need to use it on and it saves us some money. Then we have more money so we can finsh fixing the highways and roads and barriers. Like the twin towers we could build them all over again since we have money cause we will have to buy gas. We need more money and the thing that we are mostly spending it on is when we don't have to cause we could have battery cars instead of gas cars. What I am trying to say is that we need more money so we can fix our environment,to make it a better place to live and the first thing to do is to use battery cars and not gas. Would you let your kid live in a world like this cause I wouldn't and we can fix that by saving money!
|
|
TOPIC: Global Warming
Help Oklahoma to become one of the states that are trying to reduce the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and put a stop to Global Warming. Because if Global Warming keeps getting worse it can trigger a new ice age. |
|
TOPIC: Innovation of fuel for cars
Use biodiesel fuel for cars, since its made of vegetable oil, and stop air pollution, instead of gasoline.
So we will be saving money, and our gas, since we will run out sooner or later, so later on we will have it if we need it. But biodesiel shouldn't cost like $2 or $3 since theres plenty of it.
Its already made, but not as popular, not many people know of it, so it should start to sell in some gas stations now, and we need more cars that use it, and if they make one, car commercials should tell you about it. So it will grow, and more people will use it, and we will save our enviroment. We can help some people who are already slightly poor. So people won't be in such big bankruptcy from high gas prices. |
|
TOPIC: Four wheeling
You could probably change the fuel to switchcraft fuel and put more power to it and make the four wheeler where it doesn't drink a lot of fuel. |
|
TOPIC: Energy efficient lights
We need to get solar generators that can generate enough energy to be able to sell back the energy we produce. So we can buy better desks, tables, and books for the schools all over Oklahoma, but we can do with out it for a while. While other states have nicer equipment we are stuck back in the stone ages (like cave men for hammers we use stones)! My friends school in Arkansas is run by solar powered panels that reduce the pollution and don't have to pay for all the energy you waste while not at school. Teacher says that we need to catch up with the technology today, we all in Oklahoma would recycle to raise enough to get solar powered generators. If everyone is recycling the endangered animals wouldn't go on being endangered and they could go out in the wild again.
Thank you,
Ky Eades |
|
TOPIC: Exhaust Filters
My idea is to show you that filters in deisel exhausts that the exhausts let out more harmful gases in the atmosphere if we made big enough filters and put inside towards the start so the filter catches the harmful fumes and leaves it less harmful.
Thank You |
|
TOPIC: Solar panels
We need to get more fuel efficient cars so we can help the environment and the atmosphere because if we don’t our kids of the future wont see the stuff we have seen. We also need to get solar panels on top of the skyscrapers so we can save energy. We need to help the environment as much as we can so it doesn’t go to disaster. And have all the new houses with solar panels. And we need to get some type of gas different then what we are using now. From Brandon Byrd from Sand Springs |
|
TOPIC: Ideas to Help Oklahoma's Environment
Put hydro generators along the river so we can generate more power. We can put the hydro plant from Sand Springs to Bixby. We can also put solar panel on the Williams towers. We can also grow more switchgrass for biodisel. We can put our cars on natural gas, methanol, ethanol, propane. Put steel studs in houses, so it will cut down cost on production of wood and save more trees. Put more tax breaks for people that are building more energy efficient homes. |
|
TOPIC: Curfew for elderly people
I'm here to talk about a curfew for elderly people. 65 and older should stay off the street after 8 oclock.
|
|
TOPIC: Go Green
I have many ideas to help our state go green.
I think that every school and office in the state of Oklahoma should have at least three recycle bins in every class rooms. One for plastic, one for paper, and metals. This would get rid of all trash cans in these places.
Another idea of mine is use less power at the schools and offices. Turn off any lights that do not have to be on. Ues sunlight instead of lights. And plant more trees in the school and office yards. This would make shade to help keep the offices and schools cooler.
Thank you,
Mariah McBride
|
|
TOPIC: Fix the roads
I think that they should fix all of the pot-holes and bumps in the roads all over Sand Springs, even the ones in front of small buisnesses that cannot afford to have them fixed. These holes are causing more car accidents and more problems every day. For instance, Highway 51, there are so many holes, and they are so big that you have to slow down to almost a complete stop just so you don't hit those holes too hard. They should also put guard rails on each side of the highways that way people cannot cross over to the complete other side of the highway and cause even more life threatening accidents. |
|
TOPIC: Renewable energy
We need to stop using electrical energy and gas energy and things like that and start using solar, hydro (water), and other natural energies instead of what we are using now so that things will last longer. For the gas part try and make cars that are more gas efficient. Also stop using ethanol in the corn because it is raising the price of meat and the price of corn so quit using corn because it raisies the price of other foods. Make new houses, hospitals, and other new buildings with solar panels on certian parts of either the windows or roofs. |
|
TOPIC: Use renewable energy
Use water, air, weather, and solar powered energy instead of other forms of energy, fuels and so on. |
|
TOPIC: Alternative energy sources
I think that since Oklahoma is a big producer of fuel, we should embrace the new types of energy and develop new ones as well, which will insure the well being
of Oklahoma, and may even change the nation. |
|
TOPIC: Parks, Playgrounds, and Second-hand Smoke
My idea: Ban smoking within 100 yards (or further) of outdoor areas specifically designed for, and frequented by, children -- ie, parks, playgrounds, amusement parks. This law would help Oklahoma become a leader in public health and children's health.
My rationale:
The Oklahoma Breathe Easy campaign recently ran a public announcement in our local paper stating, "There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke." Unfortunately, my experience when going to city parks and playgrounds is that we (my children and I) are almost always exposed to second-hand smoke by adults or teenagers smoking on or around the playgrounds. Second-hand smoke is in same class of carcinogens as arsenic. No parent would give their children food laced with arsenic, so why accept air "laced" with second-hand smoke? Let's be leaders and protect our children! By making my idea a law, we would make a child's day at a park in Oklahoma one of sunshine and FRESH AIR! |
|
TOPIC: Tuition Waiver for National Guard
I think the College Tuition Waiver for Oklahoma Guardsman is a terrific program. I have an idea that would make it even better. Currently, when a guardsman is deployed to OIF or OEF, she loses the opportunity to attend college at an Oklahoma Institution while in country. In order to complete her education, she would have to re-enlist in order to be eligible for the tuition waiver. (This is if she was unable to complete her education due to the deployment). I believe these soldiers and airman should be given day for day credit of the tuition waiver for their service in a theatre of operation overseas.
|
|
TOPIC: Mandated Health Insurance Benefits
Repeal mandated-benefit health insurance laws. When government says that insurance policies must cover treatment for this or that condition or disease, it creates a mandated benefit. The costs for those services are passed along to everyone in the insurance pool through higher premiums. These higher costs can contribute to employers dropping or not offering insurance to their employees. One result: More people turn to Medicaid, causing further problems for policy-makers and taxpayers. Health insurance regulations are a textbook case of how government seeks to “solve” a problem with its left hand, only to create a problem that the right hand must deal with. The state should repeal existing mandated benefits, and let insurers (whose business it is to understand the market for insurance) decide what coverage people are willing to pay for. |
|
TOPIC: Teacher Retirement
Let teachers control their own retirement money. Converting the current defined benefit plan into a defined contribution plan would provide more flexibility and control for teachers and make program costs far more stable for taxpayers. |
|
TOPIC: Performance Pay for Teachers
Experiment with ways to introduce elements of pay for performance into teacher compensation. The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation says of pay-for-performance plans: “Increasingly, the arguments against such plans – too scary, too liable to abuse, too divisive – are being consigned to the dustbin of history.” |
|
TOPIC: Corporate income tax
Repeal the corporate income tax. State politicians have created a costly and complex mess with corporate income taxes. As the mobility of corporate profits continues to rise, the corporate tax will become more inefficient and tougher for Oklahoma to enforce. The solution is to repeal the tax, with the modest revenue loss to the state government made up with cuts to state business subsidies. The result would be a more efficient state fiscal system that did not favor any particular industry but promoted higher growth in all industries. |
|
TOPIC: Major League Soccer
Bring a Major League Soccer team to Oklahoma -- either in Tulsa, OKC or both. Tulsa isn't a realistic major-league candidate for football, basketball or baseball, but the MLS would be interested in Tulsa (and likely OKC) if the teams had soccer-specific stadiums to play in. In Tulsa's case, the Fairgrounds needs a new tenant to replace Bell's. A county or city-owned soccer stadium could host an MLS team and host regional and nationwide youth tournaments in the off-season.
|
|
TOPIC: Cover All Unused Pavement
We could put dirt on all unused roads and parking lots, and plant trees and wild flower plots in them. this could be done state wide and be an example to all other states to reduce global warming. |
|
TOPIC: Shortage of Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Currently laboratory technologists receive their hospital laboratory training when one college has affiliations with one or more hospitals. Not enough hospitals participate.
I believe that there are many experienced laboratory technologists who like to teach and train. They could make themselves known in a statewide registry and be matched with a college clinical laboratory student who needs an internship. The affiliation agreements could be made to cover all hospital settings.
I also believe that the hospitals and colleges should compensate those willing to mentor and be truly great teachers in the hospital laboratory.
Our profession trains so much differently than nurses, but because we are fewer in numbers, our voices are rarely heard, until there is a shortage. There is a shortage. |
|
TOPIC: Nascar 2-mile track
I think it would be sensational if Oklahoma would build a 2-mile track for Nascar. |
|
TOPIC: Historic Lighting
I would like to see historic lighting placed in our 'historic' neighborhoods to give them more of a historic charm. |
|
TOPIC: Eliminate the Toll Roads
Lets foster economic growth and commerce and eliminate our toll roads. The commuters and business people of Oklahoma have laughed for years everytime a politician proposes to build a new highway and finance it with tolls "only until it is paid for". At the very least lets put a limit of say 10 to 15 years on any new and/or existing toll facilities. |
|
TOPIC: Auto Insurance
Eliminate automobile insurance policies for less then a twelve month period. Establish a system whereby when an Oklahoma insurance policy is cancelled, the state automatically revokes that person's driver's license. In an era of computer savy, this can easily be done electronically without placing the burden upon the insurance companies. |
|
TOPIC: Highway Weather Shelters
To assist motorists caught in severe weather on isolated highways or during busy traffic times, shelter areas could be "built-in" to highway over-passes. Motorists typically flock to these areas in bad weather anyway and recent information indicates that these areas are not any safer during a storm.
As the "Crossroads" of America, Oklahoma hosts lots of guest motorists who have no idea where to go if caught on the highway in bad weather. This idea should be fairly easy and inexpensive to implement in both new highway construction and existing structures. |
|
TOPIC: Build More Sidewalks
Build sidewalks on all the main streats in the city.
There is a serious lack of pedestrian friendly routes in this city; Oklahoma City does not compare, or even come close in this matter versus other cities. |
|
TOPIC: Nutrition and Exercise Programs
Encourage employers to provide their employees with nutrition and education programs. |
|
TOPIC: Increase Physical Activity
We need to increase physical activity levels in our schools to a minimum 30 minutes a day or 150 minutes a weeks. |
|
TOPIC: Incentives to Encourage Parental Participation
We should give business incentives to allow parents off of work to attend school and sporting events to get more involved in their kid's life. This would help prevent crime, drugs, etc. |
|
TOPIC: Free Clinics for Rural Communities
Whereas, Oklahoma's population has poorer health than the rest of the nation; and whereas, Oklahoma has a significant (indeed critical) shortage of physicians, particularly in rural areas; and whereas, because of nationwide demographics, this problem is becoming progressively more urgent; and whereas, access to care is a major problem for many Oklahomans; and, whereas, suing professionals who are in short supply is a poor way to attract and retain them in our state.
Now, therefore, the Oklahoma legislature should act immediately and agressively to add practicing physicians to all populated areas of the state, particularly rural areas by 1) reimbursing physicians for their medical school and training costs and, 2) reducing the cost of malpractice insurance and the number of lawsuits that Oklahoma physicians face.
Process-- Recently trained, board certified physicians, no matter the locale of their medical school/training, would be eligible for reimbursement of medical school and training costs up to $25,000 per year of active practice in urban areas and $50,000 per year of active practice in rural areas as certified and administered by the State Health Department. Physicians demonstrating a blended practice between rural and urban areas would be eligible for a pro ration between the $25,000 and $50,000 amounts. Malpractice reforms should be results-oriented and structured in a way to pass Oklahoma Supreme Court review.
Cost: $1M per year would help to increase the number of physicians in the state by approximately 30; and over the years, this would had a substantial impact on the health of all Oklahomans. |
|
TOPIC: Healthcare Services Information Hotline
We need to let our citizens know everything Oklahoma has to offer for healthcare. We should make a healthcare services information hotline. It should be provided in both English and Spanish. |
|
TOPIC: Comprehensive Walking/Biking Trail
We should make a statewide walking and biking trail to encourage both activities all across our state. |
|
TOPIC: Make Health Education Mandatory in Schools
Make health education a requirement for all our students K-12. |
|
TOPIC: County By County Health Asset Resource Directory
We need a county by county health resource directory. The resource directory compile data by county for the health department, who would, in turn, issue grants. They would also have an annual meeting of all the county services to discuss issues. Finally, friends and volunteers would minister to 3 people in need.
Our idea is that all counties will have a Health Resource List. The web-based list provides a variety of links to the websites of organizations that conduct or support activities concerning health concerns. The site will also include a speaker’s bureau listing of individuals from the organizations available for meetings. Each organization is responsible for maintaining their information.
Barbara Burleson
Planning Director
|
|
TOPIC: Financial Training for Oklahomans
We need to have financial training for people of all age groups in this state. |
|
TOPIC: Activity Curriculum Requirements
Curriculum in new/existing after school care programs must include physical activities. |
|
TOPIC: Nutrition Education
We need mandatory nutrition education in all our elementary school. |
|
TOPIC: Drug Abuse Prevention
Mandate and fund substance abuse prevention curriculum in all Oklahoma schools, such as Botvin's Life Skills Program. |
|
TOPIC: Tax Permit Check
Discontinue the on-site check to see if a sales tax permit is displayed in a conspicuous place. Takes time and money and with today's technology probably not necessary. |
|
TOPIC: Drug-Testing for Welfare Recipients
There is a growing drug problem as well as a growing money problem for programs such as Welfare and etc. I am required to take a drug test in order to earn money, which I think is a wonderful thing. I believe that it should be mandatory for those who apply for state assistance (i.e food stamps, SSI or any other form of taxpayer money assistance) to pass a drug test. For those requesting longterm assistance (over the course of 6 months or more) random drug tests should be given. I believe that this will help a little in the financial aspect for the state, but most of all it will keep our Great State from enabling drug abusers to support their habbits. |
|
TOPIC: School Land Commission
I saw where someone suggested selling the land owned by the School Land Commission that is currently leased out every 5 years. That is a great idea. Right now the state gets a 1% return, via the lease income, on the value of the land they own. They could sell the land and easily obtain 5 times that return on the invested funds. The downside of that is that the individuals that are leasing the land for little or nothing would be upset. |
|
TOPIC: Late-Night Alcohol Laws
I think we should de-regulate the sale of alcohol between the hours or 2-6 a.m. This is a goofy law and I should be able to purchase alcoholic beverages at anytime or day or night.
|
|
TOPIC: Use a Different Sub-Base for Road Construction
Require use of aggregate (crushed stone) sub-base for all new roads, whether concrete or asphalt. More expensive than sand or soil sub-base at time of initial installation, but wears better and weathers better over life of roadway, and is recyclable when road is replaced. Would make for a better, safer road system for longer period of time, and would save on expense (frequency and cost) for road repairs. |
|
TOPIC: Rural Development
I see a lack of high speed internet, over the air digital television, and even diminished cellular capabilities in many rural areas across the state. I would like to see incentives such as low interest loans and tax benefits for commercial companies to expand and make available these and other technologies to everyone in the state. |
|
TOPIC: Culture of Gambling
1. Ban all music on radio stations in which explicit lyrics are dubbed or muted out. All music must have unedited and inoffensive lyrics.
2. Make Sports betting legal in Oklahoma OR ban all commercials/radio programs that advertise sports betting services. These programs are beyond annoying and promote illegal activities.
3. Ban the lottery, or at least forbid the state from advertising and promoting this vice.
4. Eliminate state income tax
5. Index state worker pay to inflation so salaries can keep up (I work for the state)
6. Pass tort reform
|
|
TOPIC: Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients
In order to receive any help from the state or federal goverment, a mandatory drug test must be passed. Employers test their employees and if they fail, they get fired. Same basic concept for welfare. If you fail your drug screen, you get nothing, no money, no food, etc. In order for people to get off welfare and get started again for themselves, they have to want to. In this state, it is too easy to get a check. This has to stop. |
|
TOPIC: Toxic Waste-Free Lakes
Make lakes and ponds and other large bodies of water a toxic waste-free enviorment to improve water and lake quality, any toxic waste sights near large bodies of water should be removed immediatly to a safer location, and if found loitering into a large body of water, a ticket with a small fee. |
|
TOPIC: Repository of Drug Labs
Create a repository that contains the addresses of all real estate in the State where illicit drug labs were found in operation. |
|
TOPIC: Crack Down on Dangerous Drivers
I would like to see more police officers and highway patrolmen to help crackdown on highway, interstate, and city traffic violators. People are not using turnsignals,rolling stops,blocking intersections and run red lights. Theres so many accidents on the roads that could be prevented if the state could have more sheriff,police and highway patrol.I really like to see more speed traps,check stops and motorcycle or cars with radar. We need more officers , please help us stay safe. |
|
TOPIC: Rehab for Young Adults on Drugs
I would love to see a bill passed to help support familes with children that are dependent on drugs, but the children are considerd adults and have to be willing to go in for treatment. I feel if more families could have the right to force their young adult children in a rehab maybe the crime rate would drop, and young people having babies could have great produtive lives, as well as the new babies having a Mommy or a Daddy there instead of being lost in the drug world. |
|
TOPIC: Encourage Tourism Along Route 66
Encourage Tourism by capitalizing on the Route 66 phenomenon. |
|
TOPIC: Seek Out a Professional Sports Franchise
Seek out a major league baseball franchise or NFL, NBA, NHL. |
|
TOPIC: Establish Stronger Animal Cruelty Laws
Our laws make it very difficult to prosecute animal owners who neglect their animals. The current laws almost require that an animal die before anything can be done. |
|
TOPIC: Removing Requirements from School Bond Elections
In today's climate, it is very difficult to get 60% of the population to agree on anything. Requiring 60% to build new school facilities stacks the deck against school districts who are trying to give Oklahoma students the best education environment possible. |
|
TOPIC: Educate Interstate Highway Drivers
The Oklahoma Highway Safety Council should add to their Click it or Ticket education by educating and encourages drivers that the proper use of interstate highways is to drive in the right lane the majority of the time, and use the left lane "formerly know as the passing lane" only when passing slower moving vehicles. This may help reduce "Road Rage" as well. |
|
TOPIC: Establish Independent Living Facilities
We should create independent living facilities for adults age 18-21 to learn life skills. It would be funded by tax credits, tobacco taxes, etc. |
|
TOPIC: Create a Department of Aging
Create a Cabinet-level position for a "Department of Aging". We could fund it by levying taxes on soft drinks and the like.
Senior issues must be moved to a priority in Oklahoma and the Department of Aging would do just that by acting as the leading advocacy group for seniors. It would advocate for things such as housing, continuum of care, and other funding needs. |
|
TOPIC: Create a "career ladder"
Create a "career ladder".(e.g. senior healthcare, CAN, CMA, LPN, RN). It allows people on welfare to retain their welfare benefits for 1 year while on this "career ladder." |
|
TOPIC: Ban Transfats
Ban the production, trafficking, and sales of transfats in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Improving Health in Our Schools
We need to improve the health of all Oklahomans. We should start in schools. We should make wellness classes and physical education mandatory. We should provide more healthy meals in lunch rooms. We should also have more $1 in classrooms. |
|
TOPIC: State Health Partnership with the Tribes
Using the tobacco tax dollars to help Oklahomans pay for health insurance is a good idea, but we need to take it a step further.
The state should form a partnership with the tribes to form a "health coalition" to help combat the three major areas that are causing Oklahoma to be among the unhealthiest states in the nation. Which are:
a) Diabetes
b) Tobacco-related illnesses
c) Obesity, particularly among adolescents.
Another good addition to the partnership would be the YMCA of America who already has a wellness platform in place named "Activate America".
Any impact on the healthcare dollars spent on the effects of these three conditions would be well worth the investment. |
|
TOPIC: One Cent Gas Tax
Enact a one cent gas tax. Use proceeds to fund technologies that reduce dependence on petroleum. |
|
TOPIC: Create a Consumer Advocacy Group
Create a consumer advocacy group manned 24/7. Made possible through Oklahomans who will pay per call. |
|
TOPIC: Tax Incentives for Land Owners
We need to provide tax incentives for landowners for the eradication of red cedar trees and for water conservation. |
|
TOPIC: Consolodation of State College Campuses
For state schools- offer only degrees from 2 schools. Those schools would be the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. Convert all the other schools into satellite schools of those two schools' main campuses. |
|
TOPIC: Increase Economic Cooperation
We need to increase our intra-state commerce between counties, just like the European community does it. |
|
TOPIC: Adopt the Americans With Disabilities Act
My idea for a better state would be for the State of Oklahoma to adopt the Americans With Disabilities Act into state law. It would make the state a better place for disabled people and people who are not disabled. It would save many business, state colleges, schools, businesses and cities from being sued in federal court and them having to pay attorney fees, as is now the case. There are many state agencies and their connected entities that are not currently in compliance with the ADA, such as polling places, tag agencies, state parks, buildings, hospitals, private business and many more that are not ADA compliant and resist being so. I think if the State of Oklahoma adopted the ADA like some other states have, that Oklahoma would be a better place for all people to live, work, and raise families. |
|
TOPIC: Work Tax to Finance City Roads
Cities such as Tulsa and Oklahoma City should levy a Work Tax that would be taken out of employee's payroll checks. If you do not live in the city in which you work, you would pay $250 per year for the upkeep of roads and cost of municipal operations which you are using but are not paying for. It would amount to about $5 per pay period. Because it would be taken before taxes, it would be even less. |
|
TOPIC: Mandatory Vehicle Insurance
Oklahoma should pass a law that would make it a criminal offense to drive or operate a vehicle without insurance. Oklahoma should take away your drivers license for up to 3 years if you caught driving without insurance. If you are in an accident and have no insurance you automatically lose your license for 3 years.
Oklahoma should also pass a law that if you leave an accident that you would automatically lose your license for up to 3 years.
We need to ask the insurance industry to report to the state any time that insurance is cancelled and the state needs to cancel your drivers license and issue a bench warrant. Oklahoma needs to send the message that if you want to drive in Oklahoma you need insurance and you should never leave the scene of an accident.
|
|
TOPIC: Removing Property Rights for Illegal Immigrants
We should pass a state law that all property owners must be a U.S. citizen. If you want to buy real estate property, you would have to prove that you are a U.S. citizen. If you would go to a foreign country as a U.S. citizen you would not be able to buy property. The more rights you take away from illegal immigrants, the fewer people will come here. |
|
TOPIC: Social Services from Illegals
Unless someone can prove that they are here legally, we should stop rendering services. By giving services with out them becoming citizens there is no incentive for them to fight to get citizenship. If we will not allow children in schools unless they are a citizen this will allow us to use the money from cititzens to provide education for our children. |
|
TOPIC: Car Tags
We should make it a state law that anyone that moves into the state of Oklahoma and enrolls their children in school should have to show that they have an Oklahoma Drivers License and have registered their vehicles. I have notice when I have picked my child up at school that their are lots of vehicle picking up children with out of state plates. I also have a neighbor that has lived here two years and have children attending school, while he still has California plates on his car. I believe that when you move into the state and your children are enrolled in the school you should have your car registed in the state and have an Oklahoma Drivers license. By requiring they show a drivers license and a Oklahoma car registration this insures that people using the schools are also helping to pay for schools. |
|
TOPIC: Bio Medical Research Facility
Whereas: Oklahoma needs more research to be conducted within the state to promote economic development and high value added jobs; and, whereas the biggest challenge to initiating research is talent attraction and retention, particularly the nucleus of research talent in a particular research area; and whereas, Oklahoma's legislature has established the successful Endowed Chair Program for State Institutions, and whereas much research is conducted in the private/non-profit sector.
Now therefore: We recommend that the successful Endowed Chair Program be both expanded in funds and extended to Private/non profit institutions within the state.
Process--Open state matching funds on a 1 to 1 basis to private or public entities that conduct research of a type that is also funded by the Federal government under several conditions. There must be bona fide, third party peer reviewed collaboration amongst at least two different entities (including state universities (and other state institutions), private universities and non-profits), one of which must be a state institution (OSU, OU, State Health Department, etc.) Funding would be for seven years. None of this funding could be used for buildings but would be restricted to support for talent retention or attraction and their support staff. This funding could be administered by OCAST or the EDGE fund. |
|
TOPIC: Widen and Resurface Highway 64
Highway 11 from I-35 to Cherokee has already been approved for major improvements. My idea is to begin at the junction with Highway 64 (north of Cherokee) and continue the widening/resurfacing project west through the Oklahoma panhandle.
Highway 11/64 west of I-35 has become a major truck route. The road is mostly narrow and includes essentially no passing lanes ~ with plenty of 'hills and valleys' in the road, making it very difficult and dangerous to pass.
The route is also a major artery for students who attend NWOSU in Alva and a primary means of access to the Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge near Cherokee and the Alabaster Caverns State Park south of Freedom ~ highway conditions in this area of the state are rather miserable.
Such an improvement would do much to improve the lives and livelihood of Oklahomans in this quadrant of our state, would improve access for the tourist industry, and would improve the safety of drivers. |
|
TOPIC: On Demand Air Service
Many communities across the state need to be able to offer air service for passengers in order to facilitate economic development. In today's fast paced world, if companies can't get to a location quickly and efficiently they are very reluctant to consider that place in which to invest their company dollars and jobs.
Because of federal cutbacks commercial passenger air service subsidies have been seriously affected. I believe the State needs to review how to incorporate or encourage On Demand Air Taxi Service. Because of new computer technology and more efficient aircraft communities could have the opportunity to embrace this type of on demand commercial air service, provided by private business. Oklahoma has done a great job in keeping up their airports and with these new aircrafts almost every airport in Oklahoma could accomodate such a service. |
|
TOPIC: Wind Energy
We live in one of the windiest states in the country. Kansas has massive wind farms just one state away. Why not visit one of those farms and learn what could be done to build our own large wind farms and avoid many of the pitfalls that plague new projects |
|
TOPIC: Corporation Commission and Privatizing Utilities
Let's get rid of the Corporation Commission and de-regulate the utilities. This would create competition and hopefully lower utility costs. |
|
TOPIC: Term Limits and Tax Breaks for Energy Devices
We need to do away with the term limits on our senators & representatives until all states have term limits. We also need tax breaks for energy saving devices on homes for electricity and heating and other ways to save. |
|
TOPIC: Green Energy
Narrow the channel in the Arkansas River running through Tulsa and place hydro generators made by Verdant Power in the channel.
|
|
TOPIC: Horse Racing
We should add 10 or more race tracks to the state. It will not only help the horse industry, it will also put some free market competition on the Indian Casio's. As it is today the Indian Casio's have a protected industry with no real competitors. We as a state could also work something out with Las Vegas to help drive the Horse racing industry. |
|
TOPIC: Salary Oversight Committee
Lt. Governor should head a salary oversight committee and expenditures for job search placement. This committee would have authority to limit salaries of consultants/aides of House/Senate Presidents Pro-Tem, limit amounts paid to search firms for jobs that are almost always former legislators, etc. Another function could also be designating a portion of excess state funds to help pay off long-term bonded indebtedness; i.e., Turnpike bonds.
|
|
TOPIC: Better Management for our Schools
Revamp the state educational system. They need PE and arts. Teachers should not be doing paperwork six hours per day, and students should not be graduating when they cannot read or write. Our schools need to be managed by trained, capable managers who are expected to get excellent results. Schools need to be held accountable for their results, the way organizations are. |
|
TOPIC: Recycling Tires and Oil
Let's try to find a way to recycle old tires and oil into a compound that can be used to repair Oklahoma's roads and bridges. It would greatly reduce landfill waste and be better for the environment-perhaps even prolonging the "life" of the roadway materials. |
|
TOPIC: Prison Reform
Since Oklahoma ranks as one of the top states in incarceration and has a prison overcrowding situation, let alone budget problem, Oklahomans need to look at the high number of wrongfully convicted and get these people out of prison. It would decrease the prison population and budget needs by approximately one third! We need a totally independent review board to go over these cases and get them processed and out of the system as quickly as possible. Some of them have been unjustly incarcerated for over 10 years---that's 10 or more years of tax dollars being wasted, yet we sit back and let it happen! Let's clean up our legal system as a model to the country! |
|
TOPIC: Highway Traffic & Safety
I've recently moved back to Oklahoma after 25 years in California.
I think the yield signs on the highway entrance ramps should be replaced with Merge signs. I've noticed they are present prior to the on ramp entrance for warning to existing traffic on the highway. However, they should also be at the beginning of the entrance for those that are cautiously trying to enter into the highway's flow of traffic. To yield is to make a conservative stop. Entering a highway or stopping as you enter the highway is very dangerous. Not only do you not have the momentum needed to enter the flow of existing traffic, you also risk the danger of being rear-ended.
|
|
TOPIC: A Tax to Encourage Alternative Energy
Enact a one-cent tax on gasoline and diesel sales in Oklahoma, and direct the proceeds to the Oklahoma Center for Advancement of Science and Technology to fund a program that would provide seed-capital to Oklahoma organizations that develop new technologies to reduce reliance on petroleum-based energy.
|
|
TOPIC: State Taxes on Select Groceries
As there seems to be an excess of taxes collected annually of late, do like nearly all other states & eliminate sales tax on milk & basic dairy products, raw meats, etc. This would give a break to Oklahomans at all economic levels, especially percentage-wise to the most needy, without a negative impact at any level. |
|
TOPIC: Traffic Fines-Repeat Offenders
For repeat offenders: add additional penalties that really mean something to an individual.
Fine process would be something like after second offense in a period of time, fine would be normal cost now paid plus community service time, to be completed within a given period of time. Individual should not be able to infer hardship to avoid completion of fine.
For many people, cost is not an incentive to change their habits. If they now have to give up their available time because they can not drive safely you will get to where it hurts them. |
|
TOPIC: Income Tax on Pensions
Eliminate the state income tax on retirement incomes. This would keep more senior citizens in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Build a New Refinery
It appears that one of the things hurting much of the state is cost of fuel.
The apparent problem is a lack of refining capacity.
Idea: Build a refinery that primarily supports the state of Oklahoma.
Since the cost of a refinery is very costly, it can only be undertaken by either large oil or a large enough body of individuals to pay the cost.
If organized and protected by the state and state law, Offered to the public to purchase shares (limited by percentage of ownership to preclude big business from monopolizing), and ultimately required to be sold to and managed by public ownership.
Provides: Lower gas cost year round. Allows existing refineries to sell to adjacent states and bring in revenue, provides more jobs for Oklahomans.
|
|
TOPIC: Park and Ride Sites
Maybe make some agreements with medium sized shopping centers (i.e., Windsor Hills Shopping Center at NW 23rd and N. Meridian) to be used as Park and Ride sites. They are rarely full and the space could be put to use to benefit the community. |
|
TOPIC: Extend Bus Hours
The buses around town don't run long enough. There are things happening downtown and in bricktown for long past when the buses stop running. The buses should run longer so the people can use them after their partying is over. It would decrease the amount of cars downtown looking for parking spaces.
|
|
TOPIC: Livestock waste to energy
I'd like to see the state encourage, coax, or otherwise mandate commercial livestock operations to use the concentration of fecal material for electric cogeneration. Whether the waste is from pork or beef, it is a significant resource for methane gas which can be used to create electrical power from generators. This power can be used at the commercial livestock operation which may be able to have enough wattage leftover to place back into the grid. Many states are utilizing technology to take advantage of this resource and to prevent polluting the water table. |
|
TOPIC: School boards
I think all school board members should be required to attend a "vision" class. I attended a very small school district board meeting and the superintendent mentioned they had been given twenty computers from Oklahoma City. The superintendent said they did not know what to do with them and none of the elected board members knew either. This was several years ago.
When folks are elected from the community, especially very small communities, folks need to know what can be done to improve the options for school kids. Continuing the "status quo" for the community does not increase jobs, it just continues the cycle.
Showing the board members that thinking big can actually happen and it may produce dividends for the kids and the community as well.
|
|
TOPIC: State Income Tax
Oklahoma should get rid of state income tax. Several states have done this and it puts more money in the taxpayers pocket. |
|
TOPIC: Gun Control
Following what happened at Virginia Tech, I hope someone will help to change the laws in Oklahoma regarding buying a weapon. Anyone with a restraining order should not be able to purchase a weapon, if they already possess one that is hard to alter but someone in an emotionally distressed state of mind is as likely to injure the other party as to committ suicide. Please get the background check status altered thus helping to save lives. |
|
TOPIC: Energy Conversion
Get state leadership and state vehicles on natural gas by 2012. Copy Brazil in that we can use our own fuel and export more to the other states. This diversity of energy is needed now. |
|
TOPIC: Restrictions on Electing Legal Professionals
The legal profession has overly dominated the state since 1907. 100 years is enough! I think that any person who is or has had been a member of any bar association shall be restricted to the judicial branch of government. All other branches, or elected or appointed positions shall not be available.
|
|
TOPIC: Use Tax
The use tax is selective in the enforcement and collection. It is unfair and regressive and should be completely eliminated! |
|
TOPIC: Organ Donation
Organ donation should be directly tied to the right to use the public roads. Upon getting your drivers license, you automatically agree to donate your usable organs upon your death. If you do not want to donate your organs, you have to physically opt out to be removed from donation program.
|
|
TOPIC: Interoperable Health Information
I believe we should use the technology we have today, in order to prevent needless deaths in our state and across our nation. By simply offering a system that shares medical information, which can be accessed in case of emergency, we can save hundreds if not thousands of lives every year. This system should be easy enough for anyone to be able to use and navigate, and affordable enough for our healthcare providers to be able to participate. |
|
TOPIC: Readjusting Transportation Priorities
Make roads, bridges, and the providing of water and waste water to Oklahoma's small towns a priority, even over education. We need this if we ever hope to keep pace with Texas' economy. Oklahoma is short-changing its economy and shutting the door on jobs by our historic refusal to adequately maintain our roads. Therefore, double road maintenance funds by 2009. |
|
TOPIC: Ride-Sharing
Since one of the greatest problems facing our nation is energy consumption and, therefore, dependence on foreign oil, I propose we change the culture of Oklahoma's carpool culture. Right now, there is no incentive for a driver to take on a rider, but if the state government made certification for drivers and riders it could create a new system that would change this culture. My idea is that certified riders would be able to purchase "OK-2-RIDE" stamps. These stamps would be worth a certain amount and would be payable to the certified driver depending on the distance of the drive. This would provide an economic incentive for drivers to take on passengers. Those stamps would be redeemable for up to $0.95 on the dollar with 5 cents going to the state government for administrative expenses. |
|
TOPIC: Value-Added Assessment Education
Value-Added Assessment is a new method of teaching that I would like to see in Oklahoma's public schools. Its philosophy is that schools can and should add value for each student and that students are entitled to improve at least at a pace they have demonstrated in their prior academic history. This assessment isn't a test. It will help us determine whether students, a school, or a district are making enough academic growth each year. It calculates a projected test score for a student in a given grade and subject. The projected score is based entirely on the student's prior academic achievement. At the end of the year, the projected score is compared to the actual score. I think this idea is the best possible road for Oklahoma's public schools to travel down. Let's see what it can do! |
|
TOPIC: Grow Bicycling in Oklahoma
Why can't Oklahoma become a bicycler's heaven? There are plenty of roads they currently use due to the large road easements. All we need to do is make it just a little wider and add a guard rail to protect them from automobiles that share the same road. Plus the fact that Oklahoma allows for riders of all entry levels (espcially beginners) could be a huge selling point. Even show families how they can take safe day trips, places they can picnic, scenic stops, etc. I think this would also encourage people to commute on bikes when the weather is nice. Bike N'Bus programs (like what Tulsa Transit has) should be state-wide and advertised to the public. |
|
TOPIC: Various Government Reforms
We need government accountability in Oklahoma and responsible money management. Someone needs to step up and consolidate the schools. For too long the argument has been that certain towns would die if you closed their schools but it's ridiculous to have small schools that graduate 12 people and have another one in the next town. Also let's reduce wasteful spending at the state, city, and local levels. Crackdown on immigration which is costing us millions of dollars in medical and social services cost. There are too many "religious" laws that restrict a non-Christian freedoms. |
|
TOPIC: Making Oklahoma City a Tourist Attraction
I have always had the dream that Oklahoma City would create itself into a tourist destination spot by investing in an entertainment type culture that would draw people to our great state. I envision a MAPs project that would create a music centered theme park that is full of family friendly entertainment. Everything from rides and shows to shopping and dining. As a city we have invested our money to draw others to our great state so why not invest in something that will take it to a whole new level? I think too many times we get caught up in trying to connect Oklahoma's heritage with our tourist attractions. I say it is time to create a new heritage. What if we became the new "Orlando"? Where else would it be best to bring the nation together for family fun than right here in Oklahoma, the heartland of our nation. Create incentives for investors to participate. |
|
TOPIC: Colleges and Universities
Commit more State dollars to support another of the Research Agricultural and Mechanical (A&M) Universities besides Oklahoma State University and Langston University. |
|
TOPIC: New housing additions
Put a stop to developers destroying the land in Eastern Oklahoma County. They come into a beautiful forested area with bulldozers and leave nothing behind but red clay. Why can't they leave some trees when they build a new housing addition like they do in Edmond? |
|
TOPIC: Cracking Down on Teacher Sex Crimes in Oklahoma
I would like a web site where parents can go to see if a teacher or someone in the education field has committed a crime and/or has lost their license to practice.
I think it is past time that parents know who these people are that have betrayed the students, parents, and the teaching profession.
|
|
TOPIC: Prostitution
Make prostitution legal.
|
|
TOPIC: Police Review Boards
Create citizen review boards to monitor police instead of government agencies such as internal affairs. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Stock Exchange
Create an Oklahoma Small Business Stock Exchange, an exchange where smaller businesses in Oklahoma can go public and raise money with out having to reach the $100,000,000 in revenue required by the NYSE or NASDAQ. |
|
TOPIC: Public Transportation
I am all for improved bus systems, light rail, incentives to businesses to encourage their employees to use public transportation, and improved integration of bike lanes into streets. Here are a few things that would make these sorts of efforts useful:
• Less money spent on maintaining roads
• Fewer traffic fatalities
• Increased mobility for lower income families
• More walking equates to more exercise which equates to lower instances of obesity
• If people walk more, use public transportation more, then we can expect to see actual neighborhoods again, where people visit the grocery on the corner, instead of Wal-Mart
• Lower levels of pollution amounts to fewer ozone alert days and better general health
• More money will be introduced into the economy as most people no longer need to spend 1/3 of their income on their own automobiles
Public transportation is a good thing. |
|
TOPIC: Pornography Laws
I really think that adults should be able to decide what they do with their time and money themselves. If I want I can fatten myself up, I should be able to purchase anything I want. It's nobody else's business what I do with my money, because this is America.
Loosen the pornography laws in this state, and make it all available. If someone else doesn't like it, they don't have to buy it. |
|
TOPIC: Liquor Laws
Repeal the ridiculous restrictions on liquor distribution in our state. It's not the state's job to dictate how its people should live, as if it is populated exclusively by 5 year olds. Open up the restrictions on obtaining alcohol, and simultaneously impose stricter and stiffer fines on people who are foolish enough to endanger others by driving drunk. It would also be helpful if our mass transit system was adequate. |
|
TOPIC: Keeping Kids Out of Trouble
In order to combat more youth from entering the justice syetem we need more education available for parents to be more involved with what their children are doing. If a parent doesn't want to be involved, we need to have more avenues for youth to keep them out of trouble. Housing children in instituions will never keep them out of trouble, it will just give them more experiences than they already had to get deeper in trouble. If a child or youth gets into trouble, we as a community need to step in to help when their families have failed. |
|
TOPIC: Increase Prison Sentences
Criminals don't spend enough time in jail. My proposition is to increase the time criminals spend in jail, double their time every time they are arrested, make them work while in jail to pay back both victims and society, and after they are realesed from jail make them work in community service for a certain amount of time based on their crime. |
|
TOPIC: Foster Care to Adopting
I think that the homestudy done for families to be authorized to foster should be the same homestudy done for the foster families who want to adopt. This will eliminate a long wait for an adoption to be final after a parent's rights are terminated. |
|
TOPIC: Underage Murder
I propose that if someone's child under the age of nineteen gets murdered or accidentally killed, the family should have a choice in sentencing the criminal after they have been convicted. Raise alcohol taxes to provide representatives and pay for counselling if the family needs it and the judge is bound by the family's decision. The representative is so they understand all their options and it doesn't go against the Constitution. Some families believe in the death penalty, and some do, so retribution is a good choice for them. |
|
TOPIC: FranchiseTax
End the franchise tax. It is double taxation on businesses, which already pay the corporate income tax. |
|
TOPIC: Roads and Bridges
Properly fund roads and bridges by putting money from motor vehicle fees into the roads and bridges. |
|
TOPIC: Lobbying
Stop taxpayer dollars from paying for lobbyists, who, in turn, lobby for even more taxpayer dollars. |
|
TOPIC: Fire and Police
I think it should be mandatory that police and fire personnel be within 15 pounds of their ideal weight. I've been noticing lately that a lot of firefighters and police officers are extremely overweight. I venture to say that they could not carry me from a burning building or chase a criminal if their lives depended on it. They should be required to stay fit. |
|
TOPIC: Entertainment/Tourism
I would love to see Oklahoma have a theme park such as Six Flags or Silver Dollar City. Frontier City is the only theme park, but it does not compare to those of surrounding states. It would be nice if some of the country music stars from Oklahoma could endorse a theme park here and have theaters on the grounds (like Silver Dollar City) where new, local talent could receive exposure (singing, acting, etc.). This would be a great drawing card for tourists and would also provide entertainment for local residents. It would also bring tourists to the OKC area where they could visit, the OKC Zoo, Remington Park, Bricktown, The Bombing Memorial, etc. Perhaps there is someone who would know how to organize an endeavor of this type and would know how to contact some of our "Oklahoma Stars" (ie., Vince Gill, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, etc.). We could always use a good family-oriented fun park. |
|
TOPIC: Say NO to PPP
A moratorium on toll roads would "seriously undermine the goal of reducing congestion and improving mobility for all Texans" according to a new Reason Foundation report by Robert Poole, who has advised the last four presidential administrations.The new Reason Foundation paper examines the arguments against public private partnerships (Comprehensive Development Agreements in Texas) and disproves claims that existing government toll agencies like the Harris County Toll Road Authority or the North Texas Tollway Authority could produce equal or greater value and revenue than the private sector.Toll road opponents, and some who support a two-year moratorium, continually rely upon beliefs that are debunked in Poole's paper.http://reason.org/news/texas_toll_roads_051107.shtml |
|
TOPIC: Attractions in OKC
I would like to see some work on White Water Bay it hasn't had a update in 10-15 yrs. We should look at some of the other parks from around the nation, such as in Brownsville, TX or Louisville,KY. Any improvement or help given to that park or work on getting a new park here would be great! |
|
TOPIC: World Laughter Day
Declare the first Sunday in May "World Laughter Day". This holiday is celebrated in over 50 countries around the world. Laughter is free and it has so many amazing benefits. Laughter is the best medicine. Recognizing the value of laughter on this day reminds us to not take things so seriously, to relax, and to have fun together. http://www.google.com/search?q=world+laughter+day |
|
TOPIC: Centennial
What are we doing for the citizens of the state for 100 years? Are we just throwing a party at the capitol? We need to do something big. Like make the 100 year birthday tax-free, or give $100 to everyone who registers to vote in the month of November 2007. We could take the children in our foster care system and put $100 in a trust fund for each one of them, and let the intrest grow and allow them to use that money to go to college when they grow up. Build 100 houses in 100 communities in Oklahoma. We could use HUD as the clearing house; but what I am thinking we will never do enough for our 100th birthday. |
|
TOPIC: 911 training facility
I think that Oklahoma should sponsor the first 911 training facility. We could then push the federal government to have every 911 operator and emergency first-responders trained at our facility. It would bring lots of money to the state. In any case, we have had lots of lives lost over the years because of the training of men and women who take emergency calls. |
|
TOPIC: Another Proposed Turnpike
Create another turnpike, this one for southwest Oklahoma. It should link Elk City with a direct route to I-35, connecting near Marietta. |
|
TOPIC: Alternative fuel work
We need to be giving more support for universities and the people trying to start alternative fuel companies. things we could do to make the process better: - University faculty and graduate students can assist in retesting and verifying the results that have been presented over the past 25 years. They can also provide assistance in preparing the necessary publication or for funding from such organizations as the National Science Foundation. - University Staff and students working on these projects can write papers detailing their studies which would be published nationally, and this is the sort of assurance that investors are looking for. - We have various vo-tech facilities, and these facilities could assist greatly in producing prototypes and some of the field testing that needs to be accomplished. - When technology reaches a production level, the schools and state shares in the royalties, and it creates more jobs. |
|
TOPIC: Tax deduction reform
I ask for your help in changing the Oklahoma Tax Standard Deduction to be in concert with the Federal Standard Tax Deduction. On the IRS 1040 form it is possible to either itemize your deductions or take the standard deduction. As a result of the individuals decision here, limits their deduction on the States' form 511 to the same itemized or standard amount. Herein lays the very problem for all taxpayers. |
|
TOPIC: Juvenile Affair reform
We need some reform in the area of juvenile affairs. I see a lot of "institutional" style buildings to house kids with problems, and I think that to solve a lot of these troubles, kids need to be loved and cared for in a home. I think that raising troubled youth in an institution only hinders them, and might just make them worse off in life. |
|
TOPIC: Retirement Pay
Some states invest taxes from teachers into the teacher retirement fund. When the retiree receives the money, it is tax free because it was already taxed once if you live the state whch you earned. I retired from another state where the money was tax free but most pay taxes on it here. |
|
TOPIC: Head Lights
Oklahoma should become the first state in the nation to ban daytime uses of headlights. It is to confusing to tell what the light on vehicles mean. |
|
TOPIC: Wheeled restrictions
I don't think that large college campuses should have a restriction on "wheeled" vehicles on campus. (i.e. bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, etc.). Our college is growing, and it is becoming difficult to get to find a place to park and get to class on time because of all the people. |
|
TOPIC: English
It is imperative that English be made the official language of Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Fuel
I would like to see all state vechicles use alternative fuel over the next 5 years |
|
TOPIC: Illegal Immigration
Many people want immigration reform. We need stiff penalties, fines and roving enforcement from OSBI, OHP and other agencies for the hiring of illegals. Local police should be able to hold them until ICE picks them up and they shound not be getting hand-outs from the government. |
|
TOPIC: Medical insurance reform
The state should work in the coming years to create a situation where all individuals will be expected to have insurance before they can take on additional indebtedness. In other words, obligations to the health care industry come first in the same manner that auto-liability comes before driving. |
|
TOPIC: Medical Vouchers
The state of Oklahoma should issue vouchers through the Oklahoma Tax Commission to otherwise uninsured individuals who do not have the resources to pay for medical insurance themselves. |
|
TOPIC: Insurance Companies
Let the people compare the "number" of formal complaints filed by consumers against insurance companies. Therefore letting the public shop insurance by compression. |
|
TOPIC: Tort Reform
Oklahoma should change participation for Medicaid recipients. Attorney suing for patients with Medicaid would either accept a cap on legal fees or be paid on the legal fee schedule. This is a fair and just way to curb excessive litigation jackpot fees that lawyers win and allow patients to receive any and all just compensation they deserve. |
|
TOPIC: Tax reform
Eliminate taxes for families with children, and reduce the amount of paper work required to file taxes. |
|
TOPIC: More Trains
Encourage Amtrak to expand service from OKC to Tulsa. |
|
TOPIC: Mass Transportation
Create a better mass transit system - electric or natural gas.Also, preserve Union Station as part of a future mass transit system |
|
TOPIC: Public Transportation
Increase public transportation in the way of buses, subways, trams, trains. Start in an entertainment district such as Bricktown where lots of people are. |
|
TOPIC: Tax Incentive
Provide a tax incentive to large national corporations to provide thousands of jobs |
|
TOPIC: College Prep.
Reinstate competitive curriculum / college prep curriculum. |
|
TOPIC: Judges
Remove all appellate judges from the retention ballot system and move to a competitive election process. |
|
TOPIC: Lottery money
Lottery revenue needs to be geared towards higher education. |
|
TOPIC: Higher Ed
Auction all state owned higher-ed institutions. Commit the proceeds to retiring the state debt and improving roads and bridges. |
|
TOPIC: Education incentives
Give companies incentives to pay for degrees pertaining to professions. |
|
TOPIC: Real property
Elminate the abstract cost involved in the purchase of real property and move to Title insurance as done in most all states. |
|
TOPIC: Top Jobs
As a state we need to do more to create top jobs in Oklahoma, such as:- Provide a tax incentive for those educated in Oklahoma.- Stay 5 years in a profession, get a bonus. |
|
TOPIC: Road material
We need to find better materials to use for road construction and maintenance. |
|
TOPIC: Recreation
Take state land and allow private consumers to build stores and hotels on lakeside land, without breaching the reserve. |
|
TOPIC: Small Business
Reduce the number of paper work on small business |
|
TOPIC: TIF districts
Utilize TIF districts, inner-city wide, to clean up bad streets and renew urban neighborhoods. Put more money towards street design enhancement. |
|
TOPIC: NAFTA
Oppose the NAFTA Super Corridor |
|
|
|
TOPIC: Schools
Reduce the number of school districts. |
|
TOPIC: Enticing Industry
We need to entice new industry to diversify Oklahoma's economy. Such as: tax breaks, contracts to help new companies, so that they can start helping us, lease or sell land cheap to new industry, better roads to factories to allow for better shipment. |
|
TOPIC: Retail
Increase petitioners access to retail establishmets. |
|
TOPIC: Government
Increase public visibility into all gorernment. |
|
TOPIC: MAPS funding
Help OKC and Tulsa with MAPS- like campaigns. If the state was involved small towns could join. |
|
TOPIC: Supreme Court
State Supreme Court should only rule in the petition process on the validation of signatures. |
|
TOPIC: Taxes
No taxes on caskets |
|
TOPIC: Number School Districts
There are 540 public schools district in a state of 3.5 million. That is unjustifiable. We need to privatize and consolidate the public schools. |
|
TOPIC: Reform Math courses
We need to modernize our math curriculum in order to better prepare for tomorrows jobs. |
|
TOPIC: Capital-Gains Taxes
Elimination of Capitol Gains Tax would be wonderful. It would increase investments. |
|
TOPIC: Wind energy
Create additional incentives for wind farms so that we can become a "cleaner" state |
|
TOPIC: Senior-citizen Income Tax
The state needs to elminate income taxes for citzens over 65. Texas, Florida and Arizona are siphoning off great wealth as Oklahoma retirees choose more tax friendly environments. |
|
TOPIC: Vehicle emission controls
Reinstate vehicular emission inspections, to reduce the air pollution in our great state. |
|
TOPIC: Death Tax
Oklahoma needs to eliminate death tax. It's just to expensive to die in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Sex Education
We need a comprehensive sexual education program to reduce the rate of teen pregnancies and the spread of STD's. |
|
TOPIC: Retiree Tax Structure
Oklahoma needs to reduce the tax structure to favor retirees. |
|
TOPIC: Foreign Language Reform
We need to be better prepared for international business by having a comprehensive foreign language program integrated into our school system. |
|
TOPIC: Solar panels
Pass a law stating that all multi-million dollar corporations must have solar panels on all of their buildings. |
|
TOPIC: Legislators
In future election cycle, require freshman legislators to take the OK Statutes Workshop with-in 1 week of being sworn in. This wll give them a better ability to author bills, and their bill will be better. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma!
Edit sate name to "Oklahoma!", so Oklahoma will be referred to with passion. |
|
TOPIC: Converting to Natural Gas
Improve public transportation by converting over to natural gas.Natural gas costs as a fuel costs less then petroleum, and is much easier on wear and tear of the engine. |
|
TOPIC: Snow Storm Preparedness
Be prepared for snow, allocate more monies for snow removal, and snow prep.Educate people to know how to drive in snow. |
|
TOPIC: Education allowance
Revise education allowance laws to include home-schoolers. |
|
TOPIC: Speed Limit
The state of Oklahoma should enforce or reduce the speed limit. |
|
TOPIC: Reform Refinery Regulations
Work with the EPA to redefine the regulations for constructing and maintaining oil refineries. Oil supply is adequate, refining capacity is not. There have been no new refineries built in the last 25 years, and the application process is more then 7 years long. |
|
TOPIC: Hospitals
Hospitals should be forced to report cases of staph infection to the State Health Department. |
|
TOPIC: Social workers
Make social workers out-based and available in more areas (i.e. schools, hospitals, etc.) |
|
TOPIC: Cell Phones
It should be illegal to talk on a cell phone and drive at the same time. |
|
TOPIC: Marijuana
The state should make usage of marijuana legal. It should also stop placing people in jail for drug use. |
|
TOPIC: OK DHS
Split Child welfare in OK DHS into multiple disciplines. |
|
TOPIC: Workplace Preparedness
Make our state a Center of Excellence in workplace. Preperation efforts should be considered to increase the number of program graduates and programs should be used to retain needed professonals. In many states, education-debt forgiveness in exchange for services has been proven successful in stabilizing provider availability. |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Develop a system by which uninsured individuals can access novel but effective treatments currently unavailable in the community mental health center network. |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Allocate resources to develop a national model for provisions of services for combat veterans. In our state, many combat veterans are returning home from conflicts overseas and are experiencing significant mental health and substance abuse challenges. The VA system is there for some but others need services of our state's community mental health networks and other supporting agencies and systems. If adequate services remain unfunded and uncoordinated, our country will fail to learn the lessons of the 60's and 70's and allow a new generation of American veterans to do without the support needed to recover. |
|
TOPIC: Public Saftey
We should enforce a 65 mph seed limit during the day and a 55 mph speed limit during the night. Motorcycle riders should also be required to wear helmets. |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Incentives to promote shared-facility agreements between community mental health and community centers to encourage comprehensive health services for perons of limited financial means. Mental illness and substance abuse disorders do not occur in a vacuum. People experiencing these disorders also have cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other illness. The state should explore incentives, such as one-time capital assistance funds, to encourage the co-location of community mental health and community health centers. A "medical mall" approach will greatly benefit individual health and also encourage early detection and prevention of disease. |
|
TOPIC: College text books
The legislature could cut the cost of text books by almost 10% by exempting them from state and local sales tax. |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Requirements for annual continuing education on mental health and addictions for state-certified classroom teacher, correctional guards and other professions that routinely interact with persons experiencing mental illness or addiction. When law officers are educated on mental illness and substance abuse, it creates a more compassionate and effective approach in helping persons in the midst of crisis reach stabilization and ultimately recovery. Similar expectations of classroom teachers, corrections officers, and other public servants who frequently come in contact with consumers of services will pay comparable dividends. |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Incentives to spur development of inpatient psychiatric stabilization beds in community hospitals throughout the state. Tax incentives and other economic to old should be introduced to make these units financially viable for community hospitals. |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Create designated transaction fees for real estate transactions to support development of housing for individuals living with disabilities. Illinois recently assessed a $10 fee on all real-estate transactions that is directed to the development of housing for persons with disabilities. A similar funding model in Oklahoma could provide a critical seed of money for housing developers. In the scheme of real estate transactons, a small fee would be unnoticeable, but, for those who are homeless, the fees could save lives. |
|
TOPIC: Schools
Reduce the number of school superindetendent to one per county. |
|
TOPIC: Restructing County Gov.
This is an idea from the Oklahoma Academy for State Goals back in 1995.Restructure County Government. Change county government to an administrator style of government.Instead of a board of commissioners doing the day-to-day business of the county, hire a county administrator.The board of commissioners would only meet to discuss the county administrator and his agenda. Instead of a board trying to decide what the best path for the county is, they would hire a qualified administrator, and then make their decision based on his/her recommendation.The board of commissioners would not have to meet as often, or be paid as much, and the money could go towards someone who knows what he/she is doing, and any other money would be a savings to the county. |
|
TOPIC: Mental Illness
Comprehensive Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity. In 1999, the state passed a limited parity bill but the bill needs improvement to support accessto substance abuse services and provide coverage for individuals who are employed by companies of 50 or less. |
|
TOPIC: Smoking Public Saftey
It should be illegal to smoke a cigarette at a gas pump. |
|
TOPIC: Union Station
The Oklahoma City Union Station should be kept intact and the tracks connected with it. These facilities could be used for expansion of Amtrac between OKC and Tulsa and OKC and Wichita. These could also be used for local transit systems: light rail, electric transit ect. |
|
TOPIC: AutoTrain
I recommend an AutoTrain connecting Dallas and perhaps Wichita with Oklahoma City.An AutoTrain is in service right now between Virginia and Florida, with a great deal of success. |
|
TOPIC: Sports team info
Oklahoma should have an official state website for all the professional sports teams. It could have information on there such as: are the Blazers, a minor league or major league team. The Oklahoma City Redhawks, the AAA affiliate of the Texas Rangers, info could also be placed on there. As could the info for Oklahoma's NBA team, if we ever get one. |
|
TOPIC: Rapid-Rail System
I recommend a rapid-rail system be installed between OKC and Tulsa. Also, if the rapid-rail system could connect the airports in the two cites, it would allow for some disbursement of people during heavy travel times. I would also recommend expanding the turnpike between OKC and Tulsa from 4 lanes to 6 lanes. |
|
TOPIC: Robocalls
I believe it is important to limit the amount of calls that political parties make around election time, especially the "robocalls" and calls that bash another candidate of another party. |
|
TOPIC: Voter I.D.
Oklahoma should require persons to verify their mailing address when they sign at the poll register at their polling place when they vote. This can be done very easily, since the voter is signing his/her name and the address is beside where they sign, the poll worker should ask if that is the correct address. If they have a new address the voter will write his/her new address, or the poll worker could write it down as the voter gives it out. It would only take 30 seconds of time, because each voter is already signing their name anyway. If each voter would simply write in their new or corrected address, then when the poll books are taken to the election board, the boards employees could go through the books and enter the updated information. This could help eliminate some of the fraud that is going on. |
|
TOPIC: Research park
There should be established a research park, similar to the medical research facility at OU Health Sciences Center, designed to research "Future Energy Technology." Since there is a surplus in state funding, some of the money should be set aside as "seed money" for this research facility. |
|
TOPIC: Roadway Beautification
I would like to propose a beautification program to clean up the state's roadways and medians. Articles should be printed in local newspapers and advertised on radio and television stations to encourage residents to dispose of their trash properly. Also, additional road signs and billboards could be used to remind drivers not to litter. |
|
TOPIC: Tag Agencies
Oklahoma should overhaul or modify the privately owned and operated tag agencies by reassigning them to the state employees. Oklahoma is the only state in the United States that has privatley owned and operated vehicle tag agencies. There should be a study of the cost effectiveneness of the current system. |
|
TOPIC: Sooner road
It is my suggestion that 12th Ave. in Norman be renamed Sooner Road.Also, if state highway 77 from Kansas to Texas was renamed Sooner Road, it could become a popular route for tourists to travel, and the towns along it would benefit form the increased tourism. |
|
TOPIC: capital complex
One of the things the state should do to save the taxpayer money is to put solar panels on every building in the capital complex (except for the capital building). The cost at the beginning would be high however after a couple years these solar panels would more than pay for themselves. On most days in Oklahoma the meter would run backwards making money for the taxpayers. The money saved could then go to giving our hard working state employees a well deserved raise of more than 3%. |
|
TOPIC: childcare
Oklahoma is leading the nation with our Stars program for childcare homes/centers. Oklahoma has the REWARD program, which rewards a person for staying in the field of childcare for each year. Oklahoma should go one step further and provide federal loan payment for those who go to college and attain a degree that they are using in childcare. Many have gone to college over an extended period of time - during which they have also worked in childcare. Any prior programs have only been targeted at those who have completed their education in a 4 year time - which biased the money toward younger, full time students. |
|
TOPIC: Tourism
I know there's not a whole lot that can be done about the suburban strip mall that was built in the heart of Oklahoma City's entertainment district, but there is something that can be done about all of the surface parking. Bricktown is supposed to be urban, so why are there so many parking lots located in such a prime area? We need to construct a garage and put up some buildings in place of the lots. I have only three requests:1. Don't let the current developer develop anything else in Bricktown. 2. Use brick, not stucco. 3. Make the buildings taller than two stories. |
|
TOPIC: Public Defenders
Oklahoma should retire its current indigent defense system (a patchwork of state and county efforts) and create a state-wide Public Defender system, with district offices in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Enid, Lawton, McAlister, Ardmore and Weatherford. A state-wide stystem could provide quality indigent defense while also streamlining administrative costs. Missouri and Colorado have similar systems. |
|
TOPIC: Incarceration & Related
Provide a State office to address the broad issue of incarceration. Give high priority to cost effectiveness. More effectively reach youth (prevention), faith based support, lessen the 85% truth in sentencing mandate, better utilization of drug court & other local level measures, reduce inmate’s long distance calls to provide family support, strengthen inmate training programs inc. reentry in correctional facilities , housing assistance & job opportunities for ex-cons, research into what works in other states with emphasis into cost effectiveness, reward institutions with low recidivism rates, etc. Again, lower costs. |
|
TOPIC: Taxes
Eliminate the state income tax!! Completely eliminate the tax. No flat tax. No simplified tax. An income tax can never be fair, so get rid of it. Let Oklahoma pave the way for implementing the FairTax (HR25) at the national level by eliminating our own income tax at the state level. Like the FairTax, we could replace the income tax with a state retail sales tax only on new goods and services. Like the FairTax, we could have a prebate, such that people living at or below the poverty line would pay no tax. This would save us all time and money, and would stimulate our economy and encourage entrepreneurism. Like the FairTax, it would make our tax system simple, and transparent. Everybody wins! |
|
TOPIC: Transportation
The interchange between Martin Luther King (or Eastern) and Reno and Byers (or Lincoln Blvd) and Reno.The entrance ramp utilized mostly by semi-trucks to access I-35 South-bound at Martin Luther King was not thought out very well. The truck has to cross four lanes of traffic to go south. There is a south-bound entrance accessible only for traffic heading East on Reno at Lincoln. Why is there not a left turn lane for West-bound Reno traffic to access I-35 South-bound? This would allow the semi-truck to access South-bound I-35 without putting traffic in harms way. |
|
TOPIC: Urban Renewal
If homebuilders were required to buy one house in run down areas of the city for every 5 or 6 permits they were issued, it would not be long before a whole out-dated neighborhood would be purchased for new housing additions. This would eliminate the slum areas in the inner city and clear the way for new homes, mostly near the downtown area. This may also spur the downtown area for further developement. Say if for every five new home permits, one old home was purchased at $15,000-$25,000, that would only be an additional $3,000-$5,000 additonal cost on a new home. Not a huge price to renew Oklahoma City. |
|
TOPIC: animal overpopulation
I think it is incredibly sad and embarassing that our state government has done so little to decrease pet over-population! The amount of healthy beautiful cats and dogs that are killed with poison gas everyday is a preventable tragedy. There should be stricter laws which would require a permit to be purchased for any dog or cat that is not spayed and neutered. There should be periods in which breeders should not be allowed to breed new litters when shelters are full. A permit number should be listed in any newspaper ad selling pets such as in New Mexico and other states. Also it is appalling to see people selling puppies outside Wal-Mart or on the side of the road. We are better than this. Also please--at least temporarily suspend the right to any pit bull owner to own an unaltered pet! Animals in our state have suffered because of because of a lack of education, indifference, greed and irresponsibility of government and some citizens. Let us become an example of compassion. |
|
TOPIC: Elections
We have too many elections in this State! We need to consolidate some of the elections...it might help improve voter turnout. For example, the City of Norman is having an election today 5/8/07 on curbside recycling. This is the only thing on the ballot, I would like to know how much it cost to hold this election. Whatever, the cost is too much! This type of election should be required to be held on a general election day. We don't vote on each state question as they come up, they are held for the next general election. Quit wasting tax payer dollars holding elections for city questions, school bonds, etc. on non-general election days. |
|
TOPIC: utilities
With as many storms & tornadoes we have in our state, all of the utility lines should be underground. This would serve two purposes. It would help cut down on power outages due to bad weather and all the expense of repairing the downed lines. It would also help to make our cities more attractive without all the poles and lines running through our beautiful skylines. |
|
TOPIC: Time Saving
Due to the gas price continually increasing. I have a temporary solution in saving money for our Oklahoma citizen by working 10 hrs/day in 4 days/week.We have a bad side and a good side, but in my opinion the % bad is much lower. Most companies, they think working 10 hrs/day making their product is worse (because worker is less productive). But we look at a good side, working 10 hrs/day can save time travelling back and forth. We can save gas by not driving too much so the pollution is less, making a good environment is quite beneficial. Working 10 hrs/day can make your family get more time together, it creates less family trouble. Working 10 hrs/day is making our children in the next generation successful and will have a better life. |
|
TOPIC: oklahoma pride
Texas does a great job of showing their pride. everywhere you turn you see a star. why do we as Oklahomans think that we should be so humble. this is a great place to live. could we put our state (the shape) or our seal on public projects? |
|
TOPIC: mass produced native plants
I learned in school (for landscape architecture) that Oklahoma has the largest number of native plant species in the U.S. while I don't know for sure if that is accurate, I do know that we have a lot of great plants. I wonder if the state could cultivate and mass produce these and sell them to nurseries across the nation. Call them something like 'Oklahoma Pride' or 'Heartland Nurseries', etc. |
|
TOPIC: NANO TECHNOLOGY
With many Ideas about the brain drain that oklahoma experience year after year with our best and brightest being recruited right from under our collective noses everyday our state would be well served if we had something to offer them like a NANO TECH center based right here in our own backyard; which would help attract other industries. |
|
TOPIC: TRANSPORTATION
I suggest that when a driver renews his or her driver's license, that driver must also retake the written exam. It is frightening how many drivers apparently do not know or remember the traffic laws of our state. I cannot begin to count the number of times that I've seen drivers either disregard or try to outrun emergency vehicles. I am amazed at the number of drivers who do not know, care, or remember right of way laws. This would be a reminder and a re-education on a regular basis and would elminiate the excuse that a driver did not know.My other idea is to step the enforcement of traffic laws. Speeding, running red lights, driving recklessly (with or without the use of cell phones while driving) is a threat to us all. Whether we are driving, walking, or riding a bicycle. Thank you. |
|
TOPIC: Deannex undeveloped parts of Oklahoma City.
I would like Oklahoma City to deannex the undeveloped parts of the city. By doing this, OKC taxpayers would be able to focus more of their dollars towards beautifying the city. Currently, with a population of about 550,000, taxpayers are stretching their dollars very thin trying to keep up the effort of maintaining all 607 square miles of OKC. Also, we're wasting money by providing sewer, water, and other resources to areas so far away from the urban core. We could allow our suburban neighbors to gain land if they wish, which would help them expand their city and economy. |
|
TOPIC: TAXES
I would like to see the State Income Tax replaced with a sales tax and food (non nutritional snacks not included) and medicine (including over the counter) excluded from taxes.Eliminate the filing of tax returns. EVERYONE will be taxed on what they spend and not what they earn. |
|
TOPIC: Increase Rehabilitation/Re-Integration Programs
The lack of rehabilitation and re-integration programs combined with longer sentences being served contribute to a high recidivism rate among prisoners that discharge their sentence.To lower the recidivism rate for inmates that are released back into society, the availability of rehabilitation and offender re-integration programs must be expanded to give inmates the tools to succeed when released. |
|
TOPIC: Increase Electronic Monitoring Use for Inmates
An electronic monitoring bill would have allowed the Department of Corrections to place nonviolent offenders on electronic surveillance -- another level of custody. With global positioning devices, DOC could have kept an eye on those released at all times and in all places for about $16 a day compared with spending up to $50 a day to keep them behind bars. Electronic monitoring in certain instances could be used with violent offenders and real-time electronic monitoring would allow for reintegration under the watchful eye of DOC. |
|
TOPIC: Modify Truth in Sentencing Legislation
Reduce the number of crimes for which an offender must serve to 85 percent of his sentence as recommended in the Rational Justice Policy report. Add sentencing guidelines back to Truth in Sentencing, such as those repealed in 1999 which limited sentences to a reasonable amount of time. Allow inmates sentenced under Truth in Sentencing to accumulate Good Time credits to reward inmates who want to turn their lives around. Longer sentences weaken the social and economic ties that may shield prisoners when they return to society. The longer they serve, the less contact they have with family, friends, and employers; the more their job skills deteriorate; the more their social network consists of other criminals. |
|
TOPIC: Remove Governor from Parole Process
Oklahoma is the only state left which has the Governor part of the parole process. Many inmates wait months or longer than a year from the time of their approval at a parole hearing until signed for release by the Governor. The Oklahoma Sentencing Commission has suggested that removing the Governor from the Payroll process would save at least $2 million a year in tax payer money. |
|
TOPIC: Light Rail and Oklahoma's Environment.
1. Monorail system for greater metro areas and light rail to get around when you get to your destination.2. Regular rail service between OKC and Tulsa.3. One new tree planted for every person in Oklahoma.4. More major lakes created to insure water supply. |
|
TOPIC: Taxes
I can think of no better idea that would impact day to day life more, and make Oklahoma a much better place to live and work, than to adopt "The FairTax", which both our fine Senators endorse along with two of our House Reps on the Federal level. Let's free Oklahoman's of the dreaded spring ritual of filing Taxes. Let's make it Oklahoma! again....Also, after a year or two under "The FairTax" we would have such a surplus that we could install restroom facilities and picnic tables at all our roadside parks. We would then rival Texas, Arkansas and Missouri.Sincerely,Carol Chouinard7477 E Heather DriveClaremore, OK 74019 |
|
TOPIC: Eliminate school buses.
Eliminate school buses. Use parents, school teachers, and principals to escort the kids to schools on bicycles or by walking. Saves on maintaining and fueling wasteful bus fleets. Reduces childhood obesity. Promotes healthy lifestyles among parents and school employees and reduces healthcare costs. Brings parents, teachers, and kids together on a daily basis for common goals. |
|
TOPIC: Corrections
Remove the governor from the pardon and parole process; implement a full-time, professional pardon and parole board. We could save millions of dollars by getting smarter about how we use prisons. |
|
TOPIC: Governor/Parole Board
Getting the Governor out of the parole process would help. They are looking for things that would limit Government involvement and save tax dollars. Getting the Governor out of the parole process would do both. The Oklahoma Sentencing Commission has suggested that it would save at least $2 million a year in tax payer money. |
|
TOPIC: Lottery Improvement
I have been working with our Oklahoma legislators on a winning idea to help fund education in an improved lottery process.I have tried to e-mail some information but the e-mail address www.100ideasok.org isn't accepted. Can you give me the best way to contact you? My senator and state treasurer have the idea and are working on it. Your group would be a big help getting it going. Many thanks for all you do. Jim Harrison, 104 Wateroak, Pryor, 74361Briefly, instead of hoping to win $25 million, how about drawing 5 winning numbers and they win $1 milion each. Then when the pot has another $25 million draw another 5 winners. When people are assured that there will be winners, the money will flow in to this "first in the nation" idea. I have more information and examples that I will send when I get the address where to send it. |
|
TOPIC: Taxes
Remove the State Income Tax Now! Businesses who would go to KS, MO, TX AR etc will come to OK instead and the state will make more than we ever did with the income tax. Just my 2 centsThanksPhil |
|
TOPIC: Water Conservation
Lake Altus has been in need of cleaning out for a long time. I propose that Lake Altus could be dredged and cleaned out so that it would hold much more water for the crops and recreation around Jackson/Greer County Area. Agriculture is the thriving business in that area of the state, expecially cotton. Water is so important for Jackson County and its survival, Lake Altus could be even more than it is or has been with a good restoration. |
|
TOPIC: Environment
Oklahoma should focus on becoming more enviromentally friendly. Mass transportation and transport other than personal cars needs to be encouraged. If Oklahoma were to adopt strict environmental policies we could encourage businesses that focus on recycling, using cleaner materials, creating renewable energy, etc., and perhaps we could become a beacon to the rest of the nation. |
|
TOPIC: Real Estate Taxes
Limit the annual increase that real estate appraisals (and consequently r/e taxes)can go up each year from 5% to not more than 3% |
|
TOPIC: Radio
At one time there was a jazz radio station that my friends and I listened to all the time, in fact we attended shows that started many of the artists that were played on the radio. It was during this time I was introduced to artist like Boney James and Chris Botti (in which now I have all their cd's). Why can't we have another radio station? My friends and I still talk about how excited we are for all the changes in OKC but what about radio. We go out every weekend looking for a Jazz spot and it would be great to be able to listen to a radio with Jazz music on it during the week. I think you can't go wrong with this great idea!!! Thanks |
|
TOPIC: Tourism
Oklahoma should create a bicycle-only roadway stretching across several counties and winding through a number of small towns. Such a path would attract bike riders from around the state and nation; the towns along the route would benefit economically from the influx of tourists. |
|
TOPIC: Medical
Why not create a $5M grand challenge to meet a "stretch goal" for diabetes and/or cancer? We could call it the Centennial Challenge for Cancer/Diabetes, the O-prize, or otherwise. We would be saving and improving the quality of lives around the world. In the meantime, it would likely not be payable for several years, and we put Oklahoma on the map. I haven't quite worked out the details, but would be happy to put together an exploratory EDGE subcommittee if this idea has merit. |
|
TOPIC: Flowers on highways
I'd like to see the divided road ways with crepe myrtles planted along them like they have along the bypass in Poteau. Would really make OK look nice for the passers by. I know I enjoy the roadways in NC as they have wildflowers planted among their divided highways. |
|
TOPIC: Roads
The community of Newcastle with Blanchard, and Bridgecreek would benefit from having a road and bridge connecting Council Road/Highway 76 to Council Road in South Oklahoma City. At this time all traffic has to go through the Tri-City Shopping area and cross the South Canadian River Bridge to get north. This clutters the traffic for I-44 South also. For those wanting to by-pass going through the city this would be a convenient way to go west on I-40. Since this is the fastest growing area of the state, something needs to be planned. It would save in fuel, road wear, and traffic jamming also to have more on/off ramps to the H.E. Bailey Turnpike such as one at Council Road and Highway 130 at Highway 76At this point in time there is only one way out of town which is not safe as when we had the 1999 tornado. I am enclosing a map to show what needs to be looked at. |
|
TOPIC: Weather
Invest in weather OBS for improved safety & decision making. |
|
TOPIC: Weather Education
Make weather & climate a core requirement in Oklahoma high schools (full semester). Same as biology, chemistry, etc.) |
|
TOPIC: Weather Education
Teach about mobile weather labs. Make it statewide for primary education, higher education, and career tech. |
|
TOPIC: Weather radio stations
We need a weather only radio station. Pay for it with commercial advertising. |
|
TOPIC: Weather
De-sensationalize weather reporting: Commercialize the alternativeLocal public weather channel |
|
TOPIC: Weather Communication
Establish direct communication concerning severe weather with Oklahoma communities via ONE-NET. |
|
TOPIC: National Drought Center
Create and locate the national drought center in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Weather Channel
Build a new weather channel here. |
|
TOPIC: Live Data Weather Center
Create a center for live weather data. |
|
TOPIC: Emergency Manager Training Center
Create a center to train emergency managers on weather. |
|
TOPIC: Weather Radios
Expand use of weather radios (public facilities). |
|
TOPIC: Weather Summer Camp
Start a K-8 through K-12 weather summer camp. |
|
TOPIC: Weather Development Area
Establish a "weather industry development fund". It would be a special enterprise zone for weather industry extra incentives such as subsidized rental. |
|
TOPIC: Weather Alert System
Foster the development of an "alert" industry in parallel with the weather industry. Have alert technology put in homes, auto GPS systems. Links to Oklahoma as a wi-fi state. |
|
TOPIC: "Weather Capitol"
Focus on branding Oklahoma as the "Weather Capitol" of the nation. Global center for weather decision sciences. Build a tech corridor. Build a National Weather Museum Science Center. Link it all to wind energy. |
|
TOPIC: Workforce Development
Create a Workforce Development program (Rural Development Districts). |
|
TOPIC: Weather Connections
Create weather & water connections to existing & emerging Oklahoma businesses (oil, AG & tribal). |
|
TOPIC: Weather Awareness
Increase the weather & water IQ of our state through interdisciplinary teams. |
|
TOPIC: Weather Storm Shelters
Neighborhood storm shelters: use money from the tobacco industry to build them or use school gyms or resident's associations. |
|
TOPIC: Weather Safety
New building code for in-house storm safety. |
|
TOPIC: Water Conservation
Water Conservation:Increase storage. Reuse storm water. Recycle. Reduce comsumption - enforcement & public awareness (on TV) |
|
TOPIC: Keeping good meteorologists.
Attract and keep the best weather minds. |
|
TOPIC: Weather Manufacturing
Provide tax credits for weather related manufacturing. |
|
TOPIC: Weather Education
Include an intro to meteorology course in state school curricula. |
|
TOPIC: Weather Business Development
We need a statewide strategic plan and process to attract and create weather related companies. |
|
TOPIC: Welfare
I think that in order to receive ANY help from the state or federal goverment, a mandatory drug test must be passed. Employers test their employees and if they fail, they get fired. Same basic concept for welfare. If you fail your drug screen, you get nothing, no money, no food, nada. In order for people to get off welfare and get started again for themselves, they have to want to. In this state, it is too easy to get a check. Why not spend it on drugs? After all, the state will buy the food and pay the rent. This has to stop. |
|
TOPIC: Early Public Schools
Maps (by county) that show the location of early day public schools in Oklahoma. Possibly a marker at each location for each school that would indicate a brief history (Date established and closed). These small markers have already been placed at some early day schools in Jefferson County and could be expanded to all 77 counties. |
|
TOPIC: Airport Infrastructure
Kudos for improving Will Rogers World Airport. We should not stop now. Incentives to bring more jet airplanes to OKC should be considered. Easy access to OKC from many parts of the country without going thru Dallas would bring in businessmen and business women. Every properous town/state has a major airline hub. We should accomplish this in the next 10 years. Companies will relocate to Oklahoma if airline travel is not cumbersome. |
|
TOPIC: Recycling
Instead of filling up more landfills we need to take a look at California's program where citizens take junk to a warehouse. There, items are sorted and recycled. |
|
TOPIC: welfare
give a dollar amount say $500 dollars cash to women in lower or no income for every year they don't have a child. This is cheaper than food stamps,wic,healthcare,child birth approx $18,000,tanif subsidy, cash benifits & larger section 8 housing for 18 years all which come from the tax payer. We are encouraging & rewarding the poor for having children by increasing their food stamps & other benefits. A lot of these children will grow up to participate in the penal system inwhich the welfare continues. $500 dollars a year is a small price to pay. |
|
TOPIC: francise food courts
Along with these new plazas or strip malls that are being built,there should be condo like businesses with food francises in them. ex. a "island" building with 4 sections can have a kfc,long johns,mcdonalds and subway |
|
TOPIC: Traffic flow improvement
Oklahoma City lies in the intersection of two major interstates, I-40 and I-35, nearly in the exact center of the country. This location increases our semi and tractor trailer traffic. While recognizing the important impact this transportation traffic has on our economy, it would make day to day life in Oklahoma City better if there were limits on semi and tractor trailer traffic during morning and evening rush hours. Restricting these large trucks during rush hour would allow normal traffic to flow more efficiently. Large trucks can not stop and start as quickly as other automobiles. |
|
TOPIC: Bricktown Farmers Market and Family Day
Have a combined Farmers Market and Family Day in Bricktown OKC. This will be a time, twice a year (in the Spring/Summer) or more often if it works, for Oklahoma City farmers and those from surrounding areas to come together providing the sell of their great Oklahoma grown produce while also providing a day of family centered fun. Being held in the Oklahomas' beautiful bricktown will not only bring increase revenue for the city or state from vendor booth rentals, but also increase revenue for downtown businesses. This event can also be used to host other informational booths such as: health- preventative measure and concern; Veterans Affairs information; Educational Opportunities;and other informative issues. Also have family fun things such as: childrens face painting and arts/craft boot; mobile rock climbing area; bands features local artist (family friendly music only); various vendor booths; and other family fun things. |
|
TOPIC: Recycling
I would like businesses, and municipalities, to receive incentives for developing curbside recycling in Oklahoma communities. |
|
TOPIC: Health
We need to have motels, restaurants, etc. close to the OU Medical Center.We have a wonderful facility with the OU Medical Center. However, about 5 years ago I had an unforgetable experience of sleeping on the floor, in a common room with about 20 other people, who had someone seriously in the hospital. There were no convenient moderately priced motels in the area and to my knowledge there still are none today. After a couple of days I was lucky enough to be able to rent a locker to keep personal things in, but the floor or a chair, if you were lucky enough, in that room was where we all slept. It would be so nice for families with people in the hospital at the OU Medical Center to have one or two motels close by and it would be good for the area's economy. OU might even look into involving the students in running these facilities. |
|
TOPIC: legal
Court costs and fines - spent only on court system |
|
TOPIC: legal
Civil procedure done by court rule (not leg.) |
|
TOPIC: Social Justice
Propose a state law that requires those collecting bad debt from divorced couples go after each party with equal vigor. More often than not the woman, that is stuggling to keep her childrens needs met is the first one they find and then they hold her totaly respondsible for there debt. |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
Create a system much like the amber alert to notify the public when we have escapes from any penal institution. |
|
TOPIC: Weather Sensors
The weather industry (research and operations) are always looking for more observation data. The quality of forecasts is greatly dependent on the quality and density of weather observations that "initialize" a forecast model.Develop tax incentives for businesses or individuals or an electric bill "add-on" (since power utility companies benefit from quality forecasts, providing a means to improve the quality of the forecasts would be in their interest) to fund personal weather stations (temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation accumulation, pressure) and provide a means for these data to put sent to a "data clearinghouse" such as the Oklahoma Mesonet (who manages the existing surface observation network in Oklahoma). These data would be publicly available for personal use, business use, research and even for government use in the initialization of the forecast models. |
|
TOPIC: government
Require all elected officials and all appointed personel to READ the U.S. Constitution,Bill of Rights,and the Oklahoma State Constitution each year before February, 1st. THisshould take place at the local library where he/she resides. This will be ongoing educationof the those who represent the PEOPLE and set an example for those who use the publiclibrary system. A biannual test (contest ?) should be administered with a published result!From Governor to Dog catcher. We should expect more and make these public servants accountable. See Lee V. U.S.,page eight... we are the Soveriegn!!!!!! |
|
TOPIC: government
Each bill submitted for consideration shall be listed on an official state web site listingevery person or entity who has contributed to the bill all along the path to becoming law.This is to include the committee, committe members, and chairman.The purpose for the billand the possible cosequenses. |
|
TOPIC: government
Require all bills to be voted on shall be READ in their entirety by all members of the legislature in every form.This shall require the signature to validate the vote,even in a"committe" venue! Fines and censure shall be appropriated to each offence party. |
|
TOPIC: state government
Lawyers control the judicial branch exclusivelyand proliferate and dominate the other two as well. I propose that any person who now or in the past has held a oklahoma bar membership/license shall not be eligible to hold any elective office in the great state of Ok.Too much influence by any profession is unbalanced and distorts the leadership anddirection even through representation. |
|
TOPIC: Basic Education
Radically change the pay scale for teachers. If teachers were on the same salary scale as lawyers, doctors and other highly trained professionals, the profession of teaching in Oklahoma would be more attractive to grreat teachers from all over the world. Nothing impacts the future of Oklahomans more positively than great teachers. Reward this impact! Of course this means that the education and training of teachers would have to ramp up to be worthy of this investment. |
|
TOPIC: Legal Resources
The state Law Library should be advertised statewide as a valuable, free resource for all the citizens of the state. It is located in the State Capitol building, room B-8, open Monday through Friday 8 to 5. The phone number is (405) 522-3212. The librarians cannot give legal advice, but they can direct citizens to the Oklahoma Statutes, Oklahoma case law, and many, many other state and federal legal resources. |
|
TOPIC: Homeless
LET'S DO ITIt should be one of Lance Cargill's 100 Great Ideas for a Better Oklahoma.Let's run with Rev. Glenn Cranfield's suggestion to consolidate the many services (Health, Dental, Mental, Emotional) Into one venue for the Hopeless, Homeless.Think how much more bang for our buck we'd get if we retrofitted an unused building and consolidated the funds and services of the Jesus House, The City Rescue Mission (and other such facilities I don't know about) with the free clinics corrently open.The managers of these various entities could join forces and operate the facility 24/7 no jobs or egos would be lost in this venture.With folks suffering compassion burn out, this is an idea whose time has come.Please Oklahoma City! Let's do it!!It's worked in other cities, it can work here. Where can I sign up to volunteer? |
|
TOPIC: Adult Education
The average adult in the modern workplace can expect to change jobs at least 3-5 times within his/her productive life span. Depending on career choice, some as often as every five years. Why can't the tax savings benefits of a college/vocational savings education account not be utilized for retraining of adult workers for themselves? Incentives for people to save for their own vocational retraining, licensure and professional certification continuing education and educational credential upgrades would go a long way toward remediating many problems older workers experience with job changes relevant to a population that gets little or no support from college/vocational school grant or loan programs. The economy is helped, people are allowed to maintain their dignity and remain gainfully employed with far more mobility between careers, tax revenues are maintained through increased continuity of employment; everybody wins... |
|
TOPIC: Higher Education
Require all State colleges and Universities to accept credit hours from other State colleges and universities as long as they are both in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Education
In school we don't teach enough economics and we have too many drop-outs. One Idea might help with both. When a student enters the 9th grade, they take an elective course in Economics and as part of the course they are given $200 to invest. They can invest it any way they want with the stipulation that they can't withdraw any of the money until they graduate. If they don't graduate, they don,t get it, and when they graduate, they have $200 plus to help them get started on the next part of their lives. |
|
TOPIC: Disability Concerns
Planning is needed to ensure that Oklahomans with disabilities can have full and productive lives of work and leisure. Architectural barriers, social and attitudinal barriers to those with disabilities must be eliminated. Volunteer organizations that deal with disability concerns could draft a plan for an Oklahoma that would be open to all with disabilities. The Oklahoma City Mayor's Committee on Disability Concerns would help in such an effort. The plan would touch on employment, health care, transportation, accessibility, education, construction and city and state planning. |
|
TOPIC: Public Policy
Oklahoma's date of statehood, November 16, should be a permanent state holiday celebrated every year not just on Centennial years. All state offices should be closed in honor of this historic day in our history. |
|
TOPIC: School Loans
Here is another idea. For those of us that work for the state for say 10 years or more, forgive their school loans. Or maybe forgive a percentage of the loans for every 5 years of service and allow it to be in forberance unless they leave their job with the state. I have a BS in Chemistry and a BS in Environmental Science. I earn only about $37,000. I will have to pay $400/month in student loans starting in July 2007. Having this debt with this amount of pay will prevent me from owning my own home. Doesn't make sense that if we are in the service of the state that maybe we could be helped a little by the state by being forgiven part or all of our student loans. It would really help. |
|
TOPIC: SIDEWALKS
I live in far northwest OKC. there are lots of stores, but folks have to get into a car to get to them. Please build sidewalks especially from NW 122nd south on Rockwell, McArthur, & Council to NW Expressway ! Also, no new housing additions without committment to sidewalks. thanks. |
|
TOPIC: Fitness Trail
Transform OKC and surronding cities like Moore, Norman, Edmond into a modern day fitness minded community. Connect Norman to Edmond with a multi-purpose tree lined trail, about 30 miles of trails that can be used for in-line skating, running, biking, walking, etc. Take advanced cities like Austin and Eugene and model what they have done. The MAPS project was a success, the canal, bricktown renovation, and Redhawk stadium make for a nice downtown, However, in order to advance the city to the next level we need to promote fitness and outdoor activity and this is a great example.Thanks, Dave Meron |
|
TOPIC: Tougher Curriculum
Make the curriculum tougher. If a kid doesn't pass he stays back. Stop the lowering of standards to accomodate the lesser. This way when a child goes to the next grade he is really ready instead of the sliding scale standard. Stop talking about earlier education 5 yrs old is soon enough for all children. WE must bring the parents into the scope of education. |
|
TOPIC: mental health services
Mental health services should be offered over the phone as studies have shown that the depressed patients responded better to phone counseling, this is possibly due to the elimination of stress of going in for a face to face visit...This could also save money... |
|
TOPIC: Taxes
Get rid of state income taxes so I can come home and live near my family without it costing me 300$ per month more to live in oklahoma than in texas. |
|
TOPIC: Begging/Panhandling/Mental Health
There should be a ban on panhandling/begging. I understand that many people who panhandle are homeless and/or have mental health issues, however it can be scary at times because some of the panhandlers get very aggressive. I say there should be some sort of community service (perhaps DHS) to evaluate these people for mental health issues. This state also needs more funding in the mental health areas!!! Usually people who are panhandling do have mental health issues and can't afford or do not know the resources to take to get proper treatment and/or medications. By giving these people money most of the time they are "self-medicating" by spending the money on drugs or alcohol, which is a vicious cycle. Stop giving people money and making the problem worse and start giving them the medications and resources they need! |
|
TOPIC: Taxes,Taxes,Taxes!!!
First start with stopping the practice of taxing the previous years income tax refund. Double taxation ! Next it would be nice to say the least if Oklahoma were to lead the way for tax reform. Leading the nation in monumental tax reform by going to either a flat tax , doing away with a majority of the deductions. Or by doing away with the income tax completely and instead having only a sales tax. With a sales tax there would be no taxes on drugs, utilities and food. |
|
TOPIC: transportion
I have lived all over the world before coming to oklahoma. and i think oklahoma would benifit form a lightrail system runing form other towns to with in walking distance for malls and the down town area. this would bring in more busy for the stores and better asset to the downtown area with less traffic. with the cost of gas raising everyday more people are making less outings and business are going to start lossing money. |
|
TOPIC: Common Education Funding
Fund the remaining amount of funding needed for this fiscal year due to a shortfall in lottery revenue for teacher raises passed during the last legislative session. Make education funding a priority issue that is discussed at the beginning of the legislative session and NOT a product of what funding is leftover at the end. |
|
TOPIC: Ban NEA
We should not have a national union with international ties involved in obstucting parents wishes and choices. Unions in Oklahoma education should be home grown. The name of the game is education of our children not work place rules/benifts for teachers. |
|
TOPIC: 100 year picture
I would love to see a group of people standing in an oklahoma field with a white t-shirt with their birth year from 1907-2007 lined up. It would be neat to see the little old ladies and men in wheelchairs, walkers, canes etc. lined up in order through the wwII generation on up to the babies that have been born the last few years. This would truly show the greatness and longevity of Oklahoma and the peoples that have been born here! |
|
TOPIC: Taxes on businesses
One thing that would really help small businesses is for the first $25,000 of profit to be tax free. Most small businesses are S-Corporations so all business profit moves directly onto the personal tax returns of the owners. This makes it almost impossible to keep the profits in the company bank account at the end of the year when the owners need to money to cover their personal tax bill. If the money were tax free, it could stay in the corporate account making the business more stable and secure. If would also provide for future investment and expansion if the business was allowed to accumulate capital without the tax penalty that the end of the year brings. I hope you will consider including this in the 100 ideas. |
|
TOPIC: healthcare
What about having an Oklahoma statewide HMO or PPO for the self employed. We could all be a "group" and not be rejected for pre-existing conditions. Also, what about allowing 1099 wage earners who do not receive healthcare benefits, to BUY into the plans, paying their own premiums, at the companies where they provide the 1099 services? And, why does COBRA end in 18 months for employees, but their dependents can have COBRA for 3 years? Why can't employees also have COBRA For 3 years? |
|
TOPIC: idea for OK downtown
Oklahoma City would benefit from a large Arcade in downtown bricktown. This would allow for a continued family friendly environment that is great for everyone. Oklahoma City would also benefit from an Outlit Mall. The benefit of the outlit mall would be to pull more tourism into Oklahoma and also provide native OKC people competitive shopping of all types. This is a very good forum for expressing ideas of the public. |
|
TOPIC: Tourism
Let's add "oklatourism.gov" or "travelok.com" to our license plates to promote tourism to our great state every day. Several states, including FL and PA, have already added state tourism URLs to their license plates. This would actually be a good means for promoting tourism and travel within our state as well. |
|
TOPIC: Invest in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Tax code allows up to a $200 deduction for interest earned from an Oklahoma bank, credit union, or other financial institution. This encourages the public to deposit their money in local banks.Why not a similar deduction for dividends earned from investments in corporations chartered in Oklahoma? Make the first $500 in dividends and capital gains earned from investments in Oklahoma chartered corporations deductible to encourage the public to invest in Oklahoma corporations. |
|
TOPIC: Tracking lawmaker votes
I just read a blog entry from Jennifer Mock at the Daily Oklahoman about how difficult it is to track down how our elected representatives are voting on the issues important to us. You should restructure the way bill votes are recorded to make it easier for us regular folks to find out what's going on up there! For example, I should be able to look up in one place all of the votes from my representative, Randy Terrill. As you have it now, I have to look up his votes bill-by-bill. |
|
TOPIC: Taxes
A flat tax in Oklahoma is the fairest way and the least expensive way to raise money in Oklahoma. Everyone should pay a share and no one should be penalized for working hard and earning more. Income tax and business taxes should be lessoned and sales tax should be raised. This way everyone who purchases goods in Oklahoma would participate in supporting the government, even people who are here illegally and those that make a living illegally and don’t pay taxes. Toll roads are a fair way to tax those that use them and avoid taxing those that don’t use them. |
|
TOPIC: Prisons
Tier the prison system in Oklahoma so that crimes of lesser value are punished differently than hard-core crimes against a person. Crimes and criminals should be assigned value that has a corresponding punishment. The harshest of criminals should be put in a system that is literally hell on earth. Make sure criminals do not want to be incarcerated in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Consolidate School Systems. I am not for eliminating small schools where needed but school districts could be consolidated to lesson administrative costs. Small towns within a thirty mile radius could easily share administrative positions. Save money at the top and put it in the classrooms. |
|
TOPIC: Welfare
Welfare should be eliminated and changed to workfare. Other than a person with dire medical needs everyone receiving public assistance should be assigned a job to help with the cost of the program. Able-bodied people could provide day care for others seeking employment, clean up public areas, etc. Drug testing should be mandatory to receive public assistance. If a hard working Oklahoman has to pass a drug test to work and pay taxes then someone receiving public assistance should have to pass a drug test (including alcohol and tobacco) to receive that tax money through public assistance. People in this state illegally should not receive any public assistance. Stop the blatant giveaway in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Retructure Government
State & county government needs to be restructured. When counties were originally laid out it was done geographically. These boundaries of rivers, etc. no longer are an issue. One third of the counties in Oklahoma could be eliminated through consolidation which would lower the cost of county government and in turn lessen the number of representatives needed at the state level lowering the cost of state government. |
|
TOPIC: Motorcyce/ Bicycle lanes
Bicycles use no fuel. Motorcycles use far less fuel than cars and trucks. We should encourage their use as regular transportation by building restricted Motorcycle/ Bicycle lanes alongside regular roadways. This would also decrease the number of collisions between cars and motorcycles and save lives. |
|
TOPIC: Tag Trailers
Pass a law that requires ALL trailers to be licensed and tagged, with working lights.I can not tell you how many times I have seen trailers at night with no working tail lights and orbrake lights. This is very dangerous not to mention stupid and irresponsible! Every other state has these laws, why doesn't Oklahoma?Just think of the amount of money that would be made by the state if all the trailers had this requirement! There are trailers all over the place, some of which shouldn't be on the road in the first place.This law would make driving in the state a lot safer not only in the day but, especially at night! |
|
TOPIC: Community Service
Have a statewide marketing campaign to make community service "cool" to teens to thirties; addressing leadership crisis and apathy.--Georgia Williams, Marilyn Johnston, Jerry Johnston, Betty Viljeon, Clarice Doyle, James Leonard, Gwen Bain, Raquel Dawson |
|
TOPIC: Governmental operations
Make OCI planning mandatory for grants.--James Ray, Natalie Graham, Elizabeth Crowley, Karen Hill, Della Wilson, Tim Smith, Phil Kliewer |
|
TOPIC: Education
Consolidate school districts.--James Ray, Natalie Graham, Elizabeth Crowley, Karen Hill, Della Wilson, Tim Smith, Phil Kliewer |
|
TOPIC: Government
Help solve main street issues and help house people downtown.--James Ray, Natalie Graham, Elizabeth Crowley, Karen Hill, Della Wilson, Tim Smith, Phil Kliewer |
|
TOPIC: Education
Have early childhood development so that students can, for example, read at a third grade level in the third grade.--Anne Maloy, Barbara Burleson, Kathy Gain, Dawn Evans, Mike Brown, Marvin Hankins, Earl Johnson, Bill Lane, Lou Sims |
|
TOPIC: Healthcare
Fund county healthcare, ie. preventative care.--Anne Maloy, Barbara Burleson, Kathy Gain, Dawn Evans, Mike Brown, Marvin Hankins, Earl Johnson, Bill Lane, Lou Sims |
|
TOPIC: Education
Tuition rebate for in-state success in college if you stay in Oklahoma.--John Cary, Mark Seibold, Molly Kyler, Tanner Corbin, Abby Woods, Andrea Turner, JR Hutson, Dan McMahan |
|
TOPIC: Tax
Tax deductions for businesses or individuals who support healthy lifestyles.--John Cary, Mark Seibold, Molly Kyler, Tanner Corbin, Abby Woods, Andrea Turner, JR Hutson, Dan McMahan |
|
TOPIC: Taxes
State to piggyback fed's energy tax credits--John Cary, Mark Seibold, Molly Kyler, Tanner Corbin, Abby Woods, Andrea Turner, JR Hutson, Dan McMahan |
|
TOPIC: Insurance
Massage therapy covered by insurance.--Carla Reed, Tanya Andrews, Julie Stevens, Lanie Hanshu |
|
TOPIC: Education
Mandatory insurance for college students.--Carla Reed, Tanya Andrews, Julie Stevens, Lanie Hanshu |
|
TOPIC: Natural Resources
Introduce state-required recycle program for old vehicles. Proceeds may go back to the communities for infrastructure.--Carla Reed, Tanya Andrews, Julie Stevens, Lanie Hanshu |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Provide a program like the Cherokee Nation Food Program with security commodities and provide safety to all--Isabel Baker, Bill John Baker, Marvin Apple, Gerad Gibson, Mike Brown, Brian Woodruff, Sara Brown |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Educate patients to be in control of their own health.--Isabel Baker, Bill John Baker, Marvin Apple, Gerad Gibson, Mike Brown, Brian Woodruff, Sara Brown |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Establish and utilize a state resources bank, ie. medical records.--Isabel Baker, Bill John Baker, Marvin Apple, Gerad Gibson, Mike Brown, Brian Woodruff, Sara Brown |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Forgiveness of student loans for doctors to stay and practice in Oklahoma--David Moore, Chuck Ziehr, Margaret Bradford, David McClain, Dana M.Espinal, Eddie Glenn |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Keep medical student graduates in Oklahoma--David Moore, Chuck Ziehr, Margaret Bradford, David McClain, Dana M.Espinal, Eddie Glenn |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Provide incentives to medical students to stay in Oklahoma and provide the service or become a teacher of the profession.--Neal Weaver, Ginger Brown, Jim Berry, Jerry Cook, Rick Ward, Lori Timmons |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Have incentives to encourage technology companies to expand broadband access to rural patients.--Neal Weaver, Ginger Brown, Jim Berry, Jerry Cook, Rick Ward, Lori Timmons |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Start education through schools and provide good nutrition early so children learn healthy lifestyles early.--Irene Wickham, Rick Farmer, Marjean Farmer, Norma Stopp, Joyce Rose, Louis White, Amy No Ear |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Start education through schools and provide good nutrition early so children learn healthy lifestyles early.--Irene Wickham, Rick Farmer, Marjean Farmer, Norma Stopp, Joyce Rose, Louis White, Amy No Ear |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Encourage tribes to expand into rural healthcare for everyone (creating jobs and expanding healthcare coverage).--Irene Wickham, Rick Farmer, Marjean Farmer, Norma Stopp, Joyce Rose, Louis White, Amy No Ear |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Encourage more cooperation with Native American tribes and the community in healthcare.--Irene Wickham, Rick Farmer, Marjean Farmer, Norma Stopp, Joyce Rose, Louis White, Amy No Ear |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Provide healthcare coverage for every Oklahoman through universal health insurance.--Irene Wickham, Rick Farmer, Marjean Farmer, Norma Stopp, Joyce Rose, Louis White, Amy No Ear |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Introduce healthcare education at an early age as a junior high pupil with regional university involvement and involvement by the community.--William J. Pettit, Val Schott, Richard Perry, George Foster, Fred Gibson, Pam Williams, Larry Williams |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Have preventative healthcare education in public schools--William J. Pettit, Val Schott, Richard Perry, George Foster, Fred Gibson, Pam Williams, Larry Williams |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Have electronic health records available statewide.--William J. Pettit, Val Schott, Richard Perry, George Foster, Fred Gibson, Pam Williams, Larry Williams |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Have a simplified system of insurance billing for basic care.--William J. Pettit, Val Schott, Richard Perry, George Foster, Fred Gibson, Pam Williams, Larry Williams |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Have collaborative efforts by healthcare stakeholders.--William J. Pettit, Val Schott, Richard Perry, George Foster, Fred Gibson, Pam Williams, Larry Williams |
|
TOPIC: Rural Healthcare
Create a transportation system to take people living in rural areas to healthcare appointments. (Example: KATS program ride $1)--William J. Pettit, Val Schott, Richard Perry, George Foster, Fred Gibson, Pam Williams, Larry Williams |
|
TOPIC: Education
Require real world experience (job expectations) before high school graduation.--Greg Winters, Fred Probis, Karl Scifres, Jay Warren |
|
TOPIC: Natural resources
Maintain responsible lake management. Buid pump back systems in hydro powerlakes, find alternatives to hydro power generation--Karen Weldin, J. Bryan Vest, Susanne Bain, Colis Dowd, Ray Dowd, Charles Everett, George Taylor |
|
TOPIC: Natural resources
Clean up southeastern Oklahoma by placing free dumpsters in strategic locations in rural areas.--Karen Weldin, J. Bryan Vest, Susanne Bain, Colis Dowd, Ray Dowd, Charles Everett, George Taylor |
|
TOPIC: Property
Use existing under-used property as a way of attracting business in the area.--RC Pruett, BJ Cannady, Mark Showell, Ron Cooke, Pat Cooke, Chuck Hutchinson |
|
TOPIC: Roads
Base road repair on tourism population for funding road needs.--RC Pruett, BJ Cannady, Mark Showell, Ron Cooke, Pat Cooke, Chuck Hutchinson |
|
TOPIC: Tourism
Educate Oklahomans about Oklahoma tourism activities, start in elementary school with field trips, market historical sites, etc.--Frances Lerlance, Mark Jordan, Burl Williams, John Shero, Audrey Balentine, Estella Bennett-Mask, Terry Bernard, Joe Chappell, Richard Lerblance, Wayne Sexton |
|
TOPIC: Tourism
Educate Oklahomans about Oklahoma tourism activities, start in elementary school with field trips, market historical sites, etc.--Frances Lerlance, Mark Jordan, Burl Williams, John Shero, Audrey Balentine, Estella Bennett-Mask, Terry Bernard, Joe Chappell, Richard Lerblance, Wayne Sexton |
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Locate a municipal/military airport in Oklahoma--Frances Lerlance, Mark Jordan, Burl Williams, John Shero, Audrey Balentine, Estella Bennett-Mask, Terry Bernard, Joe Chappell, Richard Lerblance, Wayne Sexton |
|
TOPIC: Transportation
Railway to Oklahoma City. It conserves energy, heps with pollution and solves issues with roads.--Frances Lerlance, Mark Jordan, Burl Williams, John Shero, Audrey Balentine, Estella Bennett-Mask, Terry Bernard, Joe Chappell, Richard Lerblance, Wayne Sexton |
|
TOPIC: Natural Resources
Use truly rural areas to create lakes/dams and re-examine rural water co-ops. Do we need mroe? Would they work as electric ones do?--Rudy O'Donley, Mary Edith Butler, Harvey Arnald, Jim Kelley, Alene Arnold, Nancy Hughes |
|
TOPIC: Tourism
Restore historic buildings--Priti Patel, Mary Diehl, Greta Stephenson, JW Stephenson, Donna McSpadden, Bobby McSpadden, Joe Anderson, Bob Jackman, James Ray |
|
TOPIC: Natural Resources
Create maximum utility of natural resources (water) of southeastern Oklahoma recreation, tourism, irrigation and industry; no out of state sales.--Priti Patel, Mary Diehl, Greta Stephenson, JW Stephenson, Donna McSpadden, Bobby McSpadden, Joe Anderson, Bob Jackman, James Ray |
|
TOPIC: Recycling
Have recycling centers in southeastern Oklahoma--Chrisee Leuty, Tamara Chlebik, Paula Lovell, Verna Caudill, Melissa Robbins, Ryan Christie, Kathy Earp |
|
TOPIC: Airport
Commercialize, expand and update the McAlester airport--Chrisee Leuty, Tamara Chlebik, Paula Lovell, Verna Caudill, Melissa Robbins, Ryan Christie, Kathy Earp |
|
TOPIC: Taxes
Introduce a tire sales tax for replacing money from toll booths across the state.--Brent Shouse, Justin Lowder, Shane Smith, Justin Kennedy, Casi Dennis, Jenna Dale, Leah Bean, Brenon Duncan, Leah McLaughlin |
|
TOPIC: Education
OTAG award to middle income family students.--Brent Shouse, Justin Lowder, Shane Smith, Justin Kennedy, Casi Dennis, Jenna Dale, Leah Bean, Brenon Duncan, Leah McLaughlin |
|
TOPIC: OHLAP
OHLAP students must commit to work for two years after graduation. College GPA requirement should be 2.00. There should also be a permanent funding source.--Brent Shouse, Justin Lowder, Shane Smith, Justin Kennedy, Casi Dennis, Jenna Dale, Leah Bean, Brenon Duncan, Leah McLaughlin |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Have consumers in the recovery process actually participate with law enforcement academy during mental health training.--Clyde Williams, Nancy Donaldson, Vonnetta Allenbaugh, Dorie Walters, Janet Scott, Nettie Powell |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Have the state fund dental care for mental health consumers via a voucher system.--Clyde Williams, Nancy Donaldson, Vonnetta Allenbaugh, Dorie Walters, Janet Scott, Nettie Powell |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Have family life training for all new parents.--Carol Hetherington, Jim Hetherington, Sherry Crosthwait, Jessica Hawkins, James Allen, Andrea LaFazia, Phil Lowe, Ashley Neal |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Provide business incentives for mental health benefits.--Carol Hetherington, Jim Hetherington, Sherry Crosthwait, Jessica Hawkins, James Allen, Andrea LaFazia, Phil Lowe, Ashley Neal |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Train school staff and health care workers in suicide prevention.--Carol Hetherington, Jim Hetherington, Sherry Crosthwait, Jessica Hawkins, James Allen, Andrea LaFazia, Phil Lowe, Ashley Neal |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Have payment parity for mental health.--Carol Hetherington, Jim Hetherington, Sherry Crosthwait, Jessica Hawkins, James Allen, Andrea LaFazia, Phil Lowe, Ashley Neal |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Create television medicine for rural areas, health centers and jails.--Modena Allen, Barney Allen, Larry Smith, Ashley Neal, Phil Lowe, Annetta Harris, Bertha Self, Phyllis Fagan |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Increase mental health funding.--Modena Allen, Barney Allen, Larry Smith, Ashley Neal, Phil Lowe, Annetta Harris, Bertha Self, Phyllis Fagan |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Require more training in mental health for doctors, ER doctors, nurses, teachers, counselors, DAs and judges. Require crisis introduction training for law enforcement personnel.--Modena Allen, Barney Allen, Larry Smith, Ashley Neal, Phil Lowe, Annetta Harris, Bertha Self, Phyllis Fagan |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Case review for SMI consumers who have been denied acess to housing, etc. based on old convictions.--Lance Dickison, Yvonne Campbell, Rand Baker, Marcia Moore, PhD, Debbie Matthens, Sherry Cooke, Raymond Cooke, Dale Harris |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Continued/spectrum of hybrid, clinically supervised, supported housing services running from housing only through ASAM Level III.--Lance Dickison, Yvonne Campbell, Rand Baker, Marcia Moore, PhD, Debbie Matthens, Sherry Cooke, Raymond Cooke, Dale Harris |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Mental health screenings, family/parenting skills, etc. should be mandated in all public high schools and colleges. Services must be provided by licensed MHPS by law, not school counselors.--Lance Dickison, Yvonne Campbell, Rand Baker, Marcia Moore, PhD, Debbie Matthens, Sherry Cooke, Raymond Cooke, Dale Harris |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Mandatory service obligations for physicians using state loan funds for school. Services would be delivered in underserved areas and include loan repayment percentage.--Lance Dickison, Yvonne Campbell, Rand Baker, Marcia Moore, PhD, Debbie Matthens, Sherry Cooke, Raymond Cooke, Dale Harris |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Have regulatory/statutory mandates requiring insurance to pay on any services designated as medically unnecessary by an attending physician if in their network.--Lance Dickison, Yvonne Campbell, Rand Baker, Marcia Moore, PhD, Debbie Matthens, Sherry Cooke, Raymond Cooke, Dale Harris |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Aggressive suicide prevention and evaluation and treatment for early ages. Parental follow-up should be mandatory.--Nancy Wagner, Charles Danley, Rebecca Wilson, Sara Barry, Margaret Bradford, Kaye Rote, Sandy Pruitt, Wy Angela Knight-Singh |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Focus on mental health services to prevent criminalization of individuals with mental illness.--Nancy Wagner, Charles Danley, Rebecca Wilson, Sara Barry, Margaret Bradford, Kaye Rote, Sandy Pruitt, Wy Angela Knight-Singh |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Create a mental health telethon to raise funds.--Nancy Wagner, Charles Danley, Rebecca Wilson, Sara Barry, Margaret Bradford, Kaye Rote, Sandy Pruitt, Wy Angela Knight-Singh |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Have contractual relationships between Oklahoma and private correctional providers mandate assessment and provision of mental health treatment in prisons.--Andrea LaFazia, Robert Lee, Durand Crosby, Wendy Hanifin, Bill Bross, Lisa Pickens, Gail Corlily, Misty Jobe, Jackie Shipp,Teri Hamilton |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Communities large and small have school buildings that could be available to host clinics after school that could utilize available video conferencing and it could make mental health less stigmatizing.--Andrea LaFazia, Robert Lee, Durand Crosby, Wendy Hanifin, Bill Bross, Lisa Pickens, Gail Corlily, Misty Jobe, Jackie Shipp,Teri Hamilton |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Have a partnership with mental health awareness, mental health providers and telemedicine.--Andrea LaFazia, Robert Lee, Durand Crosby, Wendy Hanifin, Bill Bross, Lisa Pickens, Gail Corlily, Misty Jobe, Jackie Shipp,Teri Hamilton |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Create an internship program in mental health services in state agencies providing mental health services.--Andrea LaFazia, Robert Lee, Durand Crosby, Wendy Hanifin, Bill Bross, Lisa Pickens, Gail Corlily, Misty Jobe, Jackie Shipp,Teri Hamilton |
|
TOPIC: Mental Health
Create a public policy mandating suicide response plans in schools. Include a suicide prevention component and mental health and anti-stigma component.--Andrea LaFazia, Robert Lee, Durand Crosby, Wendy Hanifin, Bill Bross, Lisa Pickens, Gail Corlily, Misty Jobe, Jackie Shipp,Teri Hamilton |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
Prioritize public safety funding by providing a dedicated funding stream.--Capt. Rusty Rhoades, Melissa Houston, Justin Humphrey, Ray Aldridge, Kim Hardcastle |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
Institute statewide interoperable communications.--Capt. Rusty Rhoades, Melissa Houston, Justin Humphrey, Ray Aldridge, Kim Hardcastle |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
Create independent probation services.--Capt. Rusty Rhoades, Melissa Houston, Justin Humphrey, Ray Aldridge, Kim Hardcastle |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
Create a prison BRAC commission.--Kevin Southerland, Marshal Helsel, Rusty Pyle, Jennifer Aleman, Mike Hoskins, John Whetsel |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
Make transporting a loaded firearm a felony.--Kevin Southerland, Marshal Helsel, Rusty Pyle, Jennifer Aleman, Mike Hoskins, John Whetsel |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
Create trailer registrations.--Kevin Southerland, Marshal Helsel, Rusty Pyle, Jennifer Aleman, Mike Hoskins, John Whetsel |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
Reinstate vehicle inspections.--Kevin Southerland, Marshal Helsel, Rusty Pyle, Jennifer Aleman, Mike Hoskins, John Whetsel |
|
TOPIC: Unfunded mandates
Prohibit unfunded mandates.--Mike Jackson, Clinton Caswell, Jeffrey A. Becker, Daimon Alexander, Kristie Phillips, Susan Quigley |
|
TOPIC: Legislature
Have the legislature meet every two years instead of annually.--Mike Jackson, Clinton Caswell, Jeffrey A. Becker, Daimon Alexander, Kristie Phillips, Susan Quigley |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
Impact statements from public safety professionals on proposed legislation.--Mike Jackson, Clinton Caswell, Jeffrey A. Becker, Daimon Alexander, Kristie Phillips, Susan Quigley |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
Overhaul sex offender registration laws.--Mike Jackson, Clinton Caswell, Jeffrey A. Becker, Daimon Alexander, Kristie Phillips, Susan Quigley |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
Create a family justice court system where the same judge oversees all cases related to a family.--Richard Smothermon, Greg Mashburn, Trent Baggett, Rob Hudson, Suzanne McClain Atwood, Jim Cox, Bill Citty |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
Revamp the sex offender and domestic violence laws.--Richard Smothermon, Greg Mashburn, Trent Baggett, Rob Hudson, Suzanne McClain Atwood, Jim Cox, Bill Citty |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
Require gun owners to register their firearms.--Richard Smothermon, Greg Mashburn, Trent Baggett, Rob Hudson, Suzanne McClain Atwood, Jim Cox, Bill Citty |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
Lower the age of majority to 16 years old.--Richard Smothermon, Greg Mashburn, Trent Baggett, Rob Hudson, Suzanne McClain Atwood, Jim Cox, Bill Citty |
|
TOPIC: Entrepreneurs
Stimulate entrepreneurship through universities and keep the entrepreneurs in Oklahoma.--Angie LaPlante, Lisa Tullier, Michael Bratcher, Frank Sewell, Brent Cate, Patricia Capra, Terrence Stull, Charles A. Bryant, Donna Lawrence, Larry Edwards, Tom F. Gray |
|
TOPIC: Early Childhood Education
Continue early childhood development down to birth and develop a statewide plan for improving health of Oklahomans. That includes utilization and expansion of current programs and incentives for coporations, schools and individuals to implement.--Angie LaPlante, Lisa Tullier, Michael Bratcher, Frank Sewell, Brent Cate, Patricia Capra, Terrence Stull, Charles A. Bryant, Donna Lawrence, Larry Edwards, Tom F. Gray |
|
TOPIC: Research Labs
Proactively pursue and capture federal research labs and facilities, cyber security, alternative energy.--Rudy J. Alvarado, David W. Parke II, Sean Bauman, Frank Waxman, Ronn Cupp, Ray Wheatley, Dick Rush, Daniel Mercer |
|
TOPIC: Education/Work Force Development
Enhance workforce development efforts through education reform and learning standards that include a focus on science.--Rudy J. Alvarado, David W. Parke II, Sean Bauman, Frank Waxman, Ronn Cupp, Ray Wheatley, Dick Rush, Daniel Mercer |
|
TOPIC: Health Care
"Tear Down the Walls" Breaking down 'silos' in healthcare: connecting the art of medicine to data by creating individualized medicine while keeping privacy protections.--Gina Leeds, JD Leeds, Pat McGuigan, Gary Marrs, Doug Claycomb, Mike Centala, Tim Hassen, Doug Bonnizzio, Meg Salyer |
|
TOPIC: Eliminating regionalism
"Tear Down the Walls" Regionalism: promote legislation to allow Tulsa and OKC to explore consolodation of government services, specifically to include transport and mass transit.--Gina Leeds, JD Leeds, Pat McGuigan, Gary Marrs, Doug Claycomb, Mike Centala, Tim Hassen, Doug Bonnizzio, Meg Salyer |
|
TOPIC: Education
"Tear Down the Walls" Education: put Oklahoma on the map with the most student instructional days in the nation, ie. at least 190. Pay for this with consolodation beginning with administration.--Gina Leeds, JD Leeds, Pat McGuigan, Gary Marrs, Doug Claycomb, Mike Centala, Tim Hassen, Doug Bonnizzio, Meg Salyer |
|
TOPIC: Turnpike
Privatize the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.--Bob Anthony, Eileen Williams, Rebecca Burgess, Adam Cohen, Penny Voss, Judy Kelley, Bob WIlliams, Dean Archirf, Jesse Newman |
|
TOPIC: Health
Improve children's health by by bringing health programs back to schools.--Margo MacRobert, Blake McGuire, Kathy McCracken, Shari Hawkins, Jenny Lee, G. Carl Gibson, Linda Lowrie |
|
TOPIC: MAPS
Extend MAPS for KIDS statewide.--Margo MacRobert, Blake McGuire, Kathy McCracken, Shari Hawkins, Jenny Lee, G. Carl Gibson, Linda Lowrie |
|
TOPIC: Attracting professionals to Oklahoma
Have programs to attract high value individuals rather than companies to Oklahoma. We need matching funds for research and student loan repayment.--Margo MacRobert, Blake McGuire, Kathy McCracken, Shari Hawkins, Jenny Lee, G. Carl Gibson, Linda Lowrie |
|
TOPIC: Education
Increase education level of all Oklahomans by having early childhood education, increasing literacy.--Marti Ferretti, Carol Dionne, Paul Risser, Dewayne Ferretti, John Ferretti, John Mulvihill, John Parsons |
|
TOPIC: Health Care
Create a healthcare MAPS for Oklahomans with the goals of healthcare/wellness, increase accesibility for all, reduce costs and provide education at each decade.--Marti Ferretti, Carol Dionne, Paul Risser, Dewayne Ferretti, John Ferretti, John Mulvihill, John Parsons |
|
TOPIC: Health Care
Create a strategic plan for the health of the state. We need to move from the bottom of the health stat list to the top.--Richard Parry, Ross Robinson, Barbara Robinson, Bill Huntington, Traci Doddere, Jane C.K. Fitch, MD, Patti Davis, Kenneth Copeland |
|
TOPIC: Branding Oklahoma
Brand Oklahoma. Sell it so that it will attract and retain intellectual and monetary capital. This will require risk-taking.--Richard Parry, Ross Robinson, Barbara Robinson, Bill Huntington, Traci Doddere, Jane C.K. Fitch, MD, Patti Davis, Kenneth Copeland |
|
TOPIC: Innovation
Create a MAPS program for innovation.--Mike Moradi, Arun Parkas, Agi Lurtz, Michael Talbert, Michael Parker, Jodi Lewis |
|
TOPIC: Biotech
Host a conference that brings bio-tech and businesses together.--Mike Moradi, Arun Parkas, Agi Lurtz, Michael Talbert, Michael Parker, Jodi Lewis |
|
TOPIC: school
Use schools to promote a healthy lifestyle in youth.--Mike Moradi, Arun Parkas, Agi Lurtz, Michael Talbert, Michael Parker, Jodi Lewis |
|
TOPIC: Biotech
Address the urgent need for investment capitol for bio-tech. Source: Teacher's Retirement fund/Invest: income used. MAPS type tax to be used, 0.01; replenish the legislative fund.--Renee Porter, Joseph L. Waixer, Chip Morgan, Jim Sharrock, Blake Burkhart, Randy Alvarado, Don Capra |
|
TOPIC: Biotech
Attract a federal research laboratory via a major unified state effort.--Renee Porter, Joseph L. Waixer, Chip Morgan, Jim Sharrock, Blake Burkhart, Randy Alvarado, Don Capra |
|
TOPIC: Energy
Maintain Oklahoma's leadership role in energy production by focusing oil and gas revenue on alternative energy research.--Drew Dugan, Richie Splitt, Gerald Dwyer, Sharon K. Lippert Dwyer, Jeff Davis, Steven Price, Rick Nager, Dan Wood |
|
TOPIC: Biotech
Oklahoma needs to select three primary centers of excellence from it's mature economic sectors to focus its resources, funds, public and private policy initiatives and development efforts.--Drew Dugan, Richie Splitt, Gerald Dwyer, Sharon K. Lippert Dwyer, Jeff Davis, Steven Price, Rick Nager, Dan Wood |
|
TOPIC: Biotech
Provide funds for pre-venture capital.--Drew Dugan, Richie Splitt, Gerald Dwyer, Sharon K. Lippert Dwyer, Jeff Davis, Steven Price, Rick Nager, Dan Wood |
|
TOPIC: Education/mentoring
Engage retired professionals to network and mentor between between common and higher education as well as young professions.--Gillain Air, Christopher M. West, Robert D. Forreman, Larry De Bault, Michael Carolina, Anne Pereira, Debbie Anglin |
|
TOPIC: Biotech
"Cluster" people physically and/or virtually (scientists, R&D entrepreneur) into expertise areas and core competencies.--Gillain Air, Christopher M. West, Robert D. Forreman, Larry De Bault, Michael Carolina, Anne Pereira, Debbie Anglin |
|
TOPIC: branding
Market or brand Oklahoma imaging so it is known as the stae for innovation.--Gillain Air, Christopher M. West, Robert D. Forreman, Larry De Bault, Michael Carolina, Anne Pereira, Debbie Anglin |
|
TOPIC: Biotech
Provide incentives to retain graduates in Oklahoma via loan forgiveness and tax credits.--Phil Berkenbile, Nancy Leonard, Kathryn Jones, Jason Ramsey, David Lewis, Robert Mannel, Sherrel Jones, Jean Hendrickson |
|
TOPIC: Biotech
Start a statewide creativity initiative.--Phil Berkenbile, Nancy Leonard, Kathryn Jones, Jason Ramsey, David Lewis, Robert Mannel, Sherrel Jones, Jean Hendrickson |
|
TOPIC: Information systems in schools
Consolidate the purchase and support of information systems for all state education institutions.--Joel Sander, Devereaux Jones, Reuben Gant, Susan Harris, Gary Trennepohl |
|
TOPIC: Education czar
Create an education czar for all levels of education from pre-K to PhD.--Joel Sander, Devereaux Jones, Reuben Gant, Susan Harris, Gary Trennepohl |
|
TOPIC: Think tank
Create a multi-institutional think tank to focus on innovational research with a pool of scientists and to foster technology transfer.--Kara Gae Neal, Richard Wansley, Mike Willis, Elizabeth King, Gavin W. Manes, Ed Huckeby |
|
TOPIC: State marketing
Market the state via focus on higher education: intellectual assets and higher education resources; and internal and external messaging.--Kara Gae Neal, Richard Wansley, Mike Willis, Elizabeth King, Gavin W. Manes, Ed Huckeby |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma=One Classroom
Make Oklahoma one classroom: have all educators available at all institutions, make them transferable; have equity of funding based on FTE and programs.--Kara Gae Neal, Richard Wansley, Mike Willis, Elizabeth King, Gavin W. Manes, Ed Huckeby |
|
TOPIC: Faculty/Staff exchanges
Have faculty and staff exchanges with business professionals to understand each other's cultures.--Larry Mocha, Flo Ella Potts, Pat Treadway, Susan Neal |
|
TOPIC: Higher Education
Have universities link intellectual capitol with the small business community.--Larry Mocha, Flo Ella Potts, Pat Treadway, Susan Neal |
|
TOPIC: Improve graduation rate
Have higher ed partner with public school systems to improve the graduation rate.--Larry Mocha, Flo Ella Potts, Pat Treadway, Susan Neal |
|
TOPIC: Higher Education
Have higher education schools market their resources to the business community.--Larry Mocha, Flo Ella Potts, Pat Treadway, Susan Neal |
|
TOPIC: Faculty shortages
Address faculty shortages in critical areas by using industry funded faculty positions and teacher certifications, alternative certification and have community colleges offer alternative certifications.--Bill McKamey, John Gibson, Gene Callahan, Kathy Seibold, John Kontogianes |
|
TOPIC: Higher Education
Consolodate higher education into two workable systems, provide a statewide curriculum and abondon the textbook and go digital.--Bill McKamey, John Gibson, Gene Callahan, Kathy Seibold, John Kontogianes |
|
TOPIC: Workforce development
Improve workforce development by providing service learning/mentoring (funded internships); work closer with business and industry.--Bill McKamey, John Gibson, Gene Callahan, Kathy Seibold, John Kontogianes |
|
TOPIC: retention incentives
New teachers and graduates should be given retention incentives, tax credits and loan forgiveness.--Julie Kelley, Julius Pegues, Jim Colgan, Kevin Anderson, Barry Davis, Chelsea Harkins, Tom McKeon, Karen Davis |
|
TOPIC: Year-round school
Introduce year-round school.--Julie Kelley, Julius Pegues, Jim Colgan, Kevin Anderson, Barry Davis, Chelsea Harkins, Tom McKeon, Karen Davis |
|
TOPIC: Universal access to education
Pre-K to 16 year olds should have universal access to higher education.--Julie Kelley, Julius Pegues, Jim Colgan, Kevin Anderson, Barry Davis, Chelsea Harkins, Tom McKeon, Karen Davis |
|
TOPIC: Loan forgiveness
Provide incentives to alleviate student loans. Provide tax credit for students who stay in the state.--Julie Kelley, Julius Pegues, Jim Colgan, Kevin Anderson, Barry Davis, Chelsea Harkins, Tom McKeon, Karen Davis |
|
TOPIC: Education
Pair counseling/social services in the K-12 classroom environment.--Raj Basu, Brett Campbell, Jeff Billington, Sandia Massey, Allen R. Soltow |
|
TOPIC: Education funding
Eliminate the sales tax and replace it with a truly progressive income tax that will generate sufficient revenue to fund Oklahoma Higher Education at a level competitive with the nation.--Raj Basu, Brett Campbell, Jeff Billington, Sandia Massey, Allen R. Soltow |
|
TOPIC: Higher Education
Eliminate the duplication inherent in Oklahoma higher education.--Raj Basu, Brett Campbell, Jeff Billington, Sandia Massey, Allen R. Soltow |
|
TOPIC: City-County Government
Today Oklahoma is far behind other states that have eliminated goverment overlap. We need to eliminate the dual goverments of cities and counties in the largest counties. If we were to merge the law enforcement of Cleveland, Oklahoma, and Tulsa counties with the cities it would eliminate the power struggle that goes on today. Other areas of consolidation would also allow the state to focus on other priorites. |
|
TOPIC: supporting ok artists
Municipalities and state agencies could provide economic support for local artists by commissioning ok artists for all public art installments and interior pieces as well. Now that we have a foundry, the bronze artists are being supported, but we also have many talented artists in the state that work in other mediums. |
|
TOPIC: Taxes
Let taxpayers choose where a percentage of their state taxes goes towards. The idea is to increase local awareness and responsibility by allowing each taxpayer a say in the budget process. |
|
TOPIC: Land Use
This idea is partly about energy, but mainly about making sure space is used instead of going to waste. Rooftop area, that is.Any building with ground-floor area greater than about 22,000 square feet, or campuses of buildings with total ground floor area greater than 22,000 square feet, should be required to have 80 percent of the roof area covered in either solar panels for producing energy (with a minimum efficiency requirement), or green living things such as grass or trees. |
|
TOPIC: Family Support for early childhood enrichment
The theory behind the idea: When provided safe, nurturing, well-planned, enriching environments from birth, young children are more likely to enter school ready to learn. Children entering school ready to learn are more likely to be productive, contributing, tax paying citizens as adults. The idea: Invest in our youngest citizens and their families through comprehensive family support beginning with pregnancy. Provide public funding through a tax on alcohol and/or cigarettes. Smart Start Oklahoma, a statewide initiative already set up to create a comprehensive, coordinated early childhood system, will manage the effort through their local communities.The result: Oklahoma is made up of nurturing, supportive communities for young children and their families which results in children that are healthy, safe, eager to learn and ready to succeed when they enter school. |
|
TOPIC: government consolidation
dear sir,Oklahoma has more government agencies than many other states. Administrative consolidation should be considered forHealth Department to be consolidated with Mental Health and Substance AbuseCrime Commission should oversee and merge: 1.)highway patrol, 2)Able commission, 3.)Narcotics Department 4.)OSBI 5.) Dept. of Corrections 6.) Medical Examinera 10% administrative reduction across the board without reducing service levels should be sought. |
|
TOPIC: After School Care for Special Education Students
Oklahoma has many programs in place for younger children and parents regarding special education and related services. Where Oklahoma is lacking are programs for older special education students. Many elementary schools have latchkey (before and after school care) programs, but once students (especially special education students that cannot be left unattended) reach middle school age these programs are non-existant. In a two parent home, shift work can be arranged to accommidate this void. However, in a single parent home there are few options. There are many single female Oklahomans that fall into this group and many that do not qualify for any financial assistance. There is also a strong need for summer programs for this older (middle school - high school) special education student group.Please prayerfully consider either school funding or a tax break or stipend for parents with older special education students. Thank you. |
|
TOPIC: Crime bill cost projections
Require the fiscal impact of criminal legislation and correctional supervision legislation be attached to the front of each bill before a vote is taken in a legislative committee or on the floor of the legislature. The lack of such cost information encourages harsher sentencing mandates that our children and grandchildren will be paying for. This legislation is enabling the courts to obligate more funds to pay for incarceration for long periods of time.Conduct an actuarial study similar to that used for a retirement system on the prison populatiion to determine the future cost to incarcerate those in prison for the duration of their probable stay. Require judges to consider the projected cost of incarceration to the state when imposing a prison term. Explore methods for the sentencing county to bear some cost, or reap some benefit, if it sentences above or below the rate expected for its population and crime rate. |
|
TOPIC: Grand Lake (GRDA)
The State of Oklahoma should consider monetizing its existing investment in electric generation capacity at the Grand River Dam Authority and redeploying the proceeds gained from the sale of those assets to add to the EDGE endowment. This would be a complex transaction because the State of Oklahoma should retain control (subject to appropriate coordination with FERC and the Army Corps of Engineers) of Grand Lake of the Cherokees itself. In my view, it is not the business of the State to engage in activities that can best be performed by the private sector as in the case of electricity generation.Best regards,Rudy Herrmann |
|
TOPIC: non-violent offenders
Dear Sir,we should reverse Oklahoma's record incarceration rate by developing alternative sentencing for non-violent offenders...many offenders would be serving society better by being instructors at the vo-tech, picking up trash along highways, cleaning streets and facilities...etc.The financial cost of housing non-violent offenders who do not pose a danger to society is staggering...we can do better, and Oklahoma would be better served with violent offenders serving full sentences with no parole... |
|
TOPIC: protect state funds with CDARS
Presently each bank can offer $100,000 in deposit insurance, however a bank product called Certificate of Deposit Account Registry (CDARS) can allow the depositor to authorize the bank to send funds to other banks which each insure $100,000 so the end result is that depositors can get up to $30 million in FDIC insurance by using this system which was an innovation of a retired Comptroller of the US Currency.All State funded agencies (with over 100,000 in bank balances) should be required to get this service to guarantee that taxpayer funds are insured |
|
TOPIC: Solar Energy for Schools
Every year schools seem to have problems with rising utility costs, especially during hot summers and cold winters. Select some test schools to add on solar photovoltaic panels to determine the feasibility of incorporating solar power generation to offset utility costs and return on investment. It will help offset annual utility costs and during the heat of the summer, surplus electricity could be sold back to the utilities during peak usage accelerating to the return on investment. Other states are already doing it, meet with them. Some states incorporate solar energy technology into higher education curriculums to create future jobs and industry. Even a 10 year return on investment is better than nothing. Invest in renewable resources and help our school systems increasing utility burden. |
|
TOPIC: Taxes
There are three tax issues Oklahoma law makers need to address:1) Sales Tax- Eliminate the tax on groceries.2) Income Tax- Continue to reduce and eliminate the state income tax.3) Real Estate Tax- Remove the school tax portion from this tax bill for those 65 and older.Addressing these three issues in a positive way will encourage many retired people to seriously consider staying in Oklahoma rather than relocating to states that have tax relief in these areas. |
|
TOPIC: AP Exam Incentive
Incentivize common education students to pass AP exams by providing cash bonuses. Solicit private funding for the incentive from businesses and foundations. Other states such as Maryland, New York, and Virginia are currently modeling their own programs after an eleven year old program in Texas. Approach philanthropic individuals and corporations about their interest in such a program. See the Washington Post, Friday March 9, 2007 page B2. |
|
TOPIC: DUI Enforcement
I think 2nd offense DUI should warrant a 10 yr limit drivers lic. to a moped only. If they can't drive without drinking then they should not be able to kill us! |
|
TOPIC: Idea
I would like to see the everyone work towards recognizing all of the historic communities within the state. Tourist are attracted to cities like Savannah and Charleston that have kept thier history intact. Our state needs to preserve and recognize the architectural artifacts that were left to us by the state's ancestors or we will not have anything left to celebrate in a hundred years. Historic neighborhoods, buildings and sites not currently recognized by the State Historic Preservation Office should be given the chance to be recogonized. Several neighborhoods in the inner city area of OKC have been here since the start of our state. I have homes in my neighborhood that were built in 1905 & 1907. The fact that these homes have stood for 100+ years needs to be recognized. I believe that if the state made a commitment to recognize these areas that the public will also recognize and appreciate them. |
|
TOPIC: OKC 21st Century Railroad Hub of the US
Given that we still have the largest existing railyard in the United States, and given that we have a committment to energy saving, renewable fuel, and clean air for the next century, and given a wonderful renewed OKC, we need to take immediate steps to make Oklahoma City the railroad hub of the United States. This may mean revising our plans for the crosstown expressway, and it may mean a massive task force must be named immediately, but this is a one time chance to put Oklahoma on the map, improve our economy and contribute to the environment. Think of all the associted businesses that would establish offices in OKC and improve our tax base. |
|
TOPIC: College and University
OSU-Tulsa along with the city of Tulsa and the state of oklahoma need to find a way to move the subsidized housing sitting on the hill overlooking the campus. This is probably the most Prime piece of property in the city. (Best view of downtown) Deed the property over to OSU-Tulsa to sell or long term lease to developers. Use that money to expand the campus. There should be a 20 story condo, a hotel, restaurants, Offices space...The idea for the new technology center on campus is to develop businesses, maybe you could even put the business incubator in an office on the hill. |
|
TOPIC: Common Education
Since an educated workforce is one of the biggest draws for companies and thus economic growth, let's fund education first and at least at the regional average.Don't pass mandates that don't provide the funds to empliment them.In NC a number of years ago, for every law that was passed two had to be repealed. That got rid of a good deal of the "dead wood" in their statutes and made lawmakers really think about the laws that were passed, were they truly worthwhile or just to a select few. |
|
TOPIC: Litter abatement
The state could provide small grants to private, non-profit organizations for fund raising purposes that could be applied for to get rewarded for litter abatement. These grants could also go to towns and municipalities to be used in concert with the annual "trash off" day to provide incentives to local citizens and groups for participation. |
|
TOPIC: Income taxes
Eliminate the income tax, so that hard work and ingenuity is no longer punished in Oklahoma. This single policy would attract entrepreneurs and successful retirees to the state. |
|
TOPIC: Medical Marijuana Legislation
I believe that creating laws to protect people suffering from an illness that can be benefited by using medical marijuana would be something that's in the interest of many Oklahomans. It has been proven that marijuana contains medical benefits and 11 states now have medical marijuana laws allowing their citizens suffering from various illnesses to have safe, legal access to medical grade marijuana. The court systems, DAs, Police officers, and Judges are not schooled in medicine and have no right to send people to prison for using something that makes them better. This decision needs to be left up to doctors and patients. This is not legalizing marijuana by any means, it is simply giving those who really need it the right to use it without having to break the law and be treated as a criminal by our legal system. |
|
TOPIC: Taxes
Eliminate all corporate taxes. Oklahoma collected $173 million in corporate and franchise taxes last year. The corporate tax is an indirect tax on the people of Oklahoma. It is paid for by the consumer through higher prices for goods and services, by the laborer who has fewer job opportunities and a smaller paycheck, and the shareholder who earns less from investing. The corporate tax costs Oklahoma $173 million in lost jobs, wages, and higher prices for goods and services. It also hurts our economic growth potential. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Oklahoma would benefit from increased awareness of the Oklahoma YMCA Youth and Government program. Each year, students from schools all over the state meet at the State Capitol for a model legislature and model court system. These high school students have the opportunity to write their own legislation and sit in the desks of actual State Representatives in the House Chambers and debate these issues. It is empowering for the students to explore ideas for bill topics and to hear them frame good arguments for and against these ideas. Unfortunately, not every school in Oklahoma has a Youth and Government program. I encourage all legislators to spread the word about this program so that we can spread the spirit of the 100 Ideas Initiative to our high school students! |
|
TOPIC: Easier Petition Requirements for Voter Initiatives
Requirements for getting petition approved for proposing an initiative for Oklahoma voters to vote on is one of the most difficult to meet in the nation. Number of signatures required is too high with only three months allowed to gather them. Therefore, the number of signatures required should be cut in half and time to gather them should be increased to 6 months. This is a great idea to make it easier for people to submit their ideas to a vote of the people. |
|
TOPIC: Nanotechnology
Support or provide initiatives for nanotech companies who operate in Oklahoma. The growth that was seen during the industrial revolution which created the demand for oil will be seen again with this new feild. Nanotechnology will be integrated into every part of our daily lives. |
|
TOPIC: Roads
If the State's Public Universities can sell the naming rights of stadiums and buildings, I think the State could sell the naming rights to roads/bridges. The money someone pays to sponsor a section of I-35 or a bridge could be used to maintain the roadway/bridge. I would think you could limit the naming rights to a certain number of years for $X, the money would be used to maintain that stretch of road or bridge. The person or company would have a sign on the roadway that states the next 100 miles is sponsored by so and so or this bridge is brought to you by XYZ, similar to adopt a road signs that promotes groups for picking up litter on a stretch of road. This could potentially speed up the process of fixing our roads and bridges. I think the benefits of sponsoring a road/bridge would be a positive advertising technique for companies. |
|
TOPIC: Ballot Reform
I think we should remove all references to party affiliation on ballots; just have the candidates name only under the office they are running for. This would require voters to learn about each candidate and not just vote for person because they are a member of a certain party. I've always thought we should get rid of the straight party voting option on our ballots. The time has come for voters to be informed voters! |
|
TOPIC: Early Childhood Mental Health Training Institute
Oklahoma needs a Early Childhood Mental Health Training Institute. Children's healthy social emotional development is essential to school readiness, academic success, and overall well-being. Services that support young children's healthy mental development can reduce the prevalence of developmental and behavioral disorders which have high costs and long-term consequences for health, education, child welfare, and juvenile justice systems. Oklahoma lacks a system to train and educate the current early childhood workforce on young children's social emotional development. We need a special training institute to help with this workforce development. |
|
TOPIC: Clean air and water
When people think of OK in a positive way they think of wide open spaces and clean air. I think we should capitalise on that with a smoking ban in bars as well as other public places. If we care about our children and the health of OK in general we should work to curb the habits that are formed with the aid of rituals ( gather with friends, have a beer and smoke a cigarette ) this becomes a ritual associated with good things and youth which becomes a hard habit to break... Along the lines of clean air... I would also like to see OK as more of a leader in wind over coal for energy. We should do everything possible to fund and create wind farms. I am also wondering why as a huge producer of natural gas, why we don't support natural gas using automobiles. |
|
TOPIC: Turnpike passes
My idea is to get together with the other states and make turnpike passes usable throughout the U.S. With the current electronic interconnects, it should be easy for this to be usable anywhere in the U.S. Each state could still get the same funds, and their costs would be lowered by having a higher percentage of people using PikePass type devices. It would also be a service to the users making it faster and easier to travel. |
|
TOPIC: Electronic Funds Transfer
Require the State to use Electronic Funds Transfers instead of paper checks when paying invoices. This would save thousands of dollars in postage and check printing. Also, create a secure "letter of credit" online system so grantees may request reimbursement of expenses for State sponsored grants & contracts. |
|
TOPIC: Education
All the school districts in Oklahoma do not need Superintendent of their own. We should only have 1 Superintendent per county; if the county is really large have an Assistant Superintendent for the county. The money saved could be put back into the classroom or into the OTRS system. |
|
TOPIC: Helping the Poor
Have the government of Oklahoma lobby the U.S. congress to eliminate tariffs and subsidies on food products. Or call a convention among the states to ratify a new amendment outlawing tariffs and subsidies on food products. |
|
TOPIC: Accountability
Create a law that requires the government of Oklahoma to follow all laws and regulations the government currently requires businesses operating in Oklahoma to comply with, including all accounting principles with no exceptions. If Oklahoma requires businesses to comply with these laws for whatever reason, such as increasing corporate accountability, preventing fraud, or encouraging better business, the state government should follow those same laws for the same reason. The government should not be exempt from accountability, be allowed to commit fraud, or run itself poorly. |
|
TOPIC: I-40 Crosstown
Designate what is now I-240 as I-40, improving the I-40 connections at each end, and turn the elevated part of the Crosstown into a wide landscaped boulevard (I-40 bus) to show off OKC. |
|
TOPIC: Paying for Health Care
Place a health care fee or tax of 25-50% on sugary candy and soft drinks (but not no-cal sof drinks or 100% juice drinks) and snacks 25-50% to subsidize medical costs/insurance for the poor-middle class. While cutting the sales tax on necessary groceries (meat, dairy, fruits & veg, flour/baking material) to help the poror afford food! |
|
TOPIC: Tourism
Oklahoma should have a Centennial Homecoming where Oklahomans worldwide are invited back home to visit their hometown and other places in our state. Tennessee did something similar in 1986 and cities and towns across the state got involved by throwing parties and fixing up old landmarks. Think of the millions of dollars that would be brought back to our state as native Oklahomans and their families return home to celebrate our Centennial. |
|
TOPIC: Senior Citizens
It is becoming increasingly difficult for retired senior citizens to survive in our society. Tax Relief for these citizens would be an excellent way for Oklahoma to "shine" to the nation as a State oriented toward its residents. Two items which come to mind would be to eliminate sales tax on prescription drugs, and ideally eliminate income taxes for retired seniors still working to survive |
|
TOPIC: Vehicle Insurance
It is estimated that 30to 40% of the vehicles you meet on the road does not have the minimum liabilty insurance required by law. I propose a plan that this premium be a part of obtaining a tag decal at the time of registration and paid into a "State Pool". Each insurance company approved to sell auto insurance in the state would 'Buy In" to the liability policy of $50,000-$100,000-$50000 per registered vehicle. This would seriously reduce the number of uninsured autos on the road. It would also allow policemen a quick efficient means to verify that the auto has the required insurance(expired tag = no insurance). The vehicle should then be immediately impounded to remove it from the streets. |
|
TOPIC: Traffic/Cell Phone Use
Mobile phone use while driving is, at best distracting, and at worst dangerous. Banning cell phone use in cars altogether is impractical. Doing nothing is irresponsible. So, I propose a compromise. We should make a law that states that cell phones may not be used in cars when the posted speed limit is above 45 mph. This would curb cell phone usage on higher speed roadways where more attention is needed to driveways without needing a complete ban. We could also restrict usage in specialized areas, such as school zones and construction zones. Enforcement would be similar to that of seatbelt laws. If a peace officer observed someone using a mobile device, the officer would be authorized to stop the individual and issue them a citation. This restriction would not apply to hands free mobile devices, since a driver can maintain both hands on the wheel while having a conversation. |
|
TOPIC: Military Tax Exemption
The War on Terror has taken thousands of our sons and daughters from Oklahoma. Serving abroad, these service members are still being taxed by the state as if they were residing at their home of record. I would like to see a state income tax exemption for Active Duty, Reserve and Oklahoma National Guard members serving outside of the state. While deployed, a service member is unable to take advantage of the things that his/her state taxes help to pay for. |
|
TOPIC: Transportattion
I HAVE HEARD THAT CONSIDERATION IS BEING TO MAKING THE TURNER TURNPIKE 6 LANES. IN LIEU OF A SIX LANE HIGHWAY, I WOULD PREFER A HIGH SPEED RAIL SYSTEM BETWEEN THE OKC AIRPORT TO THE TULSA AIRPORT. THIS WOULD ALLOW RESIDENTS OF BOTH CITIES TO USE BOTH AIRPORTS. |
|
TOPIC: sales tax on food
Remove the Sales Tax on food. This is the most regressive and punitive tax I can think of. Reduce goverment waste to offset the income. |
|
TOPIC: Corrections
Convert Griffin Memorial/Central State vacant buildings into low security treatment beds for DUI and low level drug possessor's sentenced to DOC custody. Adopt a drug court model from the standpoint that the offender is given the option of mandatory treatment with discharge upon completion or time to serve. We would reduce the length of prison stays for this group of offender and provide meaningful treatment in a treatment environment. |
|
TOPIC: State Income Taxes
The Oklahoma standard deduction for single or married filing separate is a mere $2000. The federal is $5150. The poor people that must take the federal standard deduction are penalized. Make the state standard deduction the same as the federal just to be fair. |
|
TOPIC: education/volunteerism
I would like to see Oklahoma school children required to do volunteer community service each year as part of their education. They could work on community projects alongside community leaders and/or school officials. I believe this endeavor would not only teach children work ethic and volunteerism, but also foster pride in their communities. I believe that ultimately this would cut down on vandalism, littering, etc. because the children would have pride in their community and its work. This could start in grade school with requirement of 1 or 2 hours each year and a simple project could be selected that the whole class could work on such as planting a tree on the school grounds or in a park and advance from there with older students being required to put in more hours each year. |
|
TOPIC: Openness in Government`
I propose that the Oklahoma Legislature place itself under the same open meeting requirements as it has set for all other governmental entities. This should be applied to all. Currently, the house & senate convene in "conference committees" to work out the sticky details of legislation. This is how and where the deals are made that lawmakers don't want us, the general public, to see. With partisanship at an all-time high, I think this process being opened up for public oversight would improve the quality of legislation that is produced. |
|
TOPIC: The number of children born to drug addicted women
Their should be some state law that if you have 2 babies while you are on drugs you should be forced to be sterlized. I also think that we need to speed up the process of termination of the parents rights. We could have so many more kids adopted if the process was shortend. I know it is a complex problem that has many issues. |
|
TOPIC: Grade Restaurants
Grade all restaurants with an A,B,C,D on the front window. Many cities do this. |
|
TOPIC: Education
Please consider combining the area vo-tech's with the 2 year colleges. This would reduce the duplication of administration and allow the students to be on a college campus. In other states this has encouraged the students to take college courses and many have obtained a college degree. |
|
TOPIC: Renewable Energy Tax Credits
Establish a 20% personal income tax credit (up to $9,000) for residents and businesses (non-corporate), including agricultural enterprises, who purchase and install certified solar thermal, solar water and space heat, photovoltaics (PV), wind and hydro systems. Allow these credits to be carried forward for a maximum of ten taxable years until fully expended. Solar and wind powered devices utilized as a primary or auxiliary power system for the purpose of heating or otherwise supplying the energy needs of taxable property should also qualify for property tax exemptions for a period of 20 years from the date of installation. |
|
TOPIC: Pride in Oklahoma
People from Texas have more pride in their state than any other state in the Union. Texas teaches the history of their state for two years in junior high and high school. That gives them great pride because they know their history so well. Oklahoma on the other hand teaches only one semester in the eighth grade. Our history is very exciting and giving students at least two years of Oklahoma history will instill the kind of pride in Oklahoma that it deserves. |
|
TOPIC: endowed chairs
To set up a revolving bond fund or some other appropriate method of funding to insure that matching funds are available in a timely manner. If matching funds were readily available more private donations would be forthcoming. Currently it is taking at least 3 years for a match to be made and donors are not willing to leave this kind of money idle while waiting for the state to act. I would submit this plan be tried for a period of 5 years and compare to previous 5 year period and see if it is effective. This is an excellent system to upgrade the quality of teaching and research faculty at our universities. |
|
TOPIC: Child Safety
Set up a task force that their sole purpose is to track and catch internet child predators. Set up sting operations and arrest those who would try to take advantage of our children. You have probably seen them doing this alot on Dateline NBC. Thank you, Kevin W. Wells, OD |
|
TOPIC: Sate Sales Tax Incentive
To provide incentives and help susidize economic development in small towns and rural areas, allow a percentage of the state sales tax to be kept by the city or county. This incentive would be earmarked specifically for ecomonic development. Cities and towns would submit proposals for expenditures under the program and funding from the sales tax incentive would suppliment the city costs or fund them outright. |
|
TOPIC: Turnpikes
1. Require the OTA to use capital improvement funds in proportion to the tolls generated by a particular turnpike. For instance, in the OTA's 5-year capital plan, the Indian Nations turnpike receives 20% of the capital funds - yet the Indian Nations turnpike generates much less than 20% of total turnpike revenues. All the while, the much travelled Turner and Rogers turnpikes are in need of major modernization. |
|
TOPIC: City Taxes
Allow cities the opportunity to choose the way they fund their operations. Currently cities rely mostly on sales taxes and, to a lesser degree, bond issues. Both of those are relatively unpredictable methods of taxing; and make it hard for growing or re-developing cities to raise the funds needed to meet their needs and obligations. Allow for cities to increase usage of property taxes. |
|
TOPIC: Highway Right of Way
My idea to save money for the Transportation Dept is this. I suggest the Highway Dept stop mowing the right of way & start baling it for hay. This would only work in some areas of our state. We waste a good resource for our farmers that are in need such as those in the Panhandle. The round bales could be stored or sold on the spot. The State Agriculture Dept could handle the sale of the hay or the storage. Some uses could be for Vo-Ag groups, 4H Clubs, or State Prison Farms. |
|
TOPIC: Uninsured Motorists
I have been in 3 auto accidents in my life. All 3 times I have been hit by an uninsured motorist. I must have a sign on me that reads...."Hit me, I am well insured!" I am well aware of vehicle owners who take out insurance coverage, get their new tags and then cancel their insurance coverage. I have decided that there must be a better way to ensure that all drivers in Oklahoma have the required insurance. I believe that with all of the electronic capability that our world has now, we should employ some of it to protect drivers. I suggest that insurance companies should issue a quarterly electronic card that can be used at the pump to verify that the owner of the car has insurance on the vehicle. If the person does not have one of these cards to put in the pump, no gasoline can be put in the car. Thus, stopping this individual from driving this uninsured car. |
|
TOPIC: Water
Build pipelines from those parts of the State that have plenty of water, to those parts that don't get enough. Pipelines would conserve water, rather than letting it run down a dry river or stream bed.. Have tight control over the selling of any water out of state. I believe water will become more valuable than oil in the next few decades and we need to find a way to conserve it and distribute it within the state. |
|
TOPIC: Practical Education
Reading, writing, and 'rithmetic are essential, but unless we teach kids how they apply to life, it doesn't do any good. We need to have a mandatory "Life Application" class that will teach kids how to do things such as balance a checkbook, create a personal budget, realize the true cost of financing, and other personal finance items. |
|
TOPIC: Taxes
I want to thank the legislature for the latest tax cuts but it really doesn't help a lot of retired people who are on fixed incomes or people that are exempt from taxes because they don't make enough income to even file. I think that you should look into a tax cut that would benefit everyone in the state not just a select few. The tax on food items and groceries should be eliminated and that would reach everyone it the state of Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Tax Equity and Revenue
Before an insurance company pays a damage claim on real property or personal property, they should be required to verify that the amount of claim being submitted is the same amount of value that has been reported to the County Tax Assessor. In the case of a corporation, it could be the amount that is claimed as an Asset on a Federal or State income tax form. These are reasonable proofs and some are on file in the County courthouses. It would be a fair way to raise revenue for the Counties, and fair to the taxpayer and insurance companies. |
|
TOPIC: State Income Tax
Total elimination of state income tax . Emulate the Texas tax system. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Electric Car
Mr. Speaker, With automakers dragging their feet, the closing of auto plants in OK and the recent report on global warming, why not bring together the best minds, and former auto workers, to design and build an efficient, economical electric car, capable of being plugged in at home, built completely by Oklahomans in Oklahoma. Why wait for Detroit? |
|
TOPIC: Security & Disaster
I would like to see each town make a special effort to organize for a natural disaster or terrorist attack. I think we should organize food and water supplies in secure places. Appoint civil defense leaders with a network of helpers much like the cold war era of the 1950's. We need to know what to do for heat and light if can't rely on current electric and gas infrastructures. Our Federal Government tells us we should be prepared to function for a period of time without expecting help. We need to be self reliant in our homes, why not on our city level? If we should have a few major areas disable by terrorists or natural disaster, how long would we have to wait before getting help. Oklahoma should be prepared town by town to function independently. If our National Guard leaves for a long period of time, who will we deploy for assistance in an emergency. We need a network indepentant of State or Federal Government for each town. |
|
TOPIC: Safe Driving
It is documented that the oldest and youngest drivers are the most dangerous. So, together they can help each other. When a person turns 80 they should surrender their license and be paired up with a newly licensed driver who will take them on errands, to appointments and the like. At the same time the young people can learn from their elders' experience and bring the generations together. Ownership of the vehicle used and insurance issues could be worked out between the families and could include a possible transfer of ownership of the vehicle when the older person dies. The mentoring possibilities here are endless! |
|
TOPIC: Sell Water
Sell water to north Texas from the Sardis Lake. Pay off the $70 millon dollar debt. Stop selling after that.We sell oil and gas why not water? |
|
TOPIC: Help for Inventors
Mr. Speaker, Why not a resource to help sponsor Oklahoma inventors to get their ideas patented and to market. With a volunteer academic citizen oversight group that evaluates each idea, according to merit, feasibility, marketability, or necessity of item, device, project or program. And has authority to disperse funds. This could be a good investment by the state, and create revenue from successful projects. After all, we are The State of Creativity. |
|
TOPIC: Rail Transportation
Have Amtrack work with Oklahoma City Metro Transit and Tulsa Transit to establish rail service between Downtown OKC and Downtown Tulsa. |
|
TOPIC: Education/Transportation
First is Education: a. Reduce the number of districts to not more than one per county. |
|
TOPIC: comprehansive water bill
Needed: a comprehensive water bill for the State of Oklahoma with language protecting our states water rights from being purchased by neighboring states who have "over developed" themselves out of their own water resources. Submitted by: Richard N. Carter, Tri County Rural Water District # 2 board member, serving Pottowatomie, Seminole and Lincoln counties. |
|
TOPIC: 27 vs 77 Counties
When Oklahoma Counties were formed the concept was to have government close to the people. The size of the county was meant to be small, so that the county seat will be no more than a days wagon ride from a persons home. Today's transportation makes all places in Oklahoma only a days ride. It is time for change. We need less counties. Back in 1967 we restructured District Attorney and reduced the number down to 27, that number would also be a good for the number of counties. It can also be argued that the number can go lower. We have ACOG, ASCOG, INCOG, SWODA working with counties, cities and towns. In stead of having the County be the administrative body of the State, make COG's and ODA's the agent. |
|
TOPIC: Biomedical Research
The single most critical need is investment capital: the obvious place to get it, as has been done in many other states, is to set a small percentage of teh teacher retirement fund to local investments. These investments will be no risker than the ones currently made by any good trust. If the risk is spread around to 25 companies, it is axiomatic that a profit of substantial amounts will be made. |
|
TOPIC: Education
There was an idea that upon graduating from college there would be a period of no state income tax for a period of 2-4 years, I think this is one of the most forward thinking initiatives I have heard of. I feel it has the best of both worlds, no income tax as an incentive to retain intelligent people. And reward a person for getting educated, I'll be pushing this as a personal interest. |
|
TOPIC: School Improvement
Use Oklahoma’s best teachers, National Board Certified, and send them to lowest performing schools to focus on classroom learning improvement. Identify one school to send a NBC teacher to each classroom. Their tasks would be to observe, evaluate, mentor and make recommendations for improvement for teachers within the school. Their task need only last 1-2 weeks allowing them to identify areas for improvement, possible solutions, and modeling/mentoring teachers in their classroom environment. A short follow-up observation would insure implementation of recommendations and evaluate classroom learning environment for change. We would be able to leverage the best practices of the best teachers and the classrooms where it is needed the most. A small school could be used as a feasibility study with team to develop formal guidelines. |
|
TOPIC: Secondhand smoke and child abuse
Mr. Speaker, Oklahoma has one of the highest rates of childhood asthma. Most cases are directly related to secondhand smoke. Several states have enacted laws against smoking in a vehicle with a minor because they realize this is equivalent to child abuse. Lets show we really care about our children and follow those guidelines to decrease childhood asthma in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Trailer and tractor license
Mr.Speaker, Theft of utility trailers and tractors is a money making business for career criminals in OK. Other states not only mandate license but require working signal and braking lighting. This would not only reduce theft, but also accidents and help law enforcement to to find and return those items to rightful owners. This could be voluntary, and those who choose to register, at a low fee, would have the peace of mind knowing they had a better chance of getting their property back and deter theft. |
|
TOPIC: American Indians makes Oklahoma a Unique State
Oklahoma Indian History needs to be a requirement for middle schools to learn about the 39 federally recognized tribes and other Indian tribes that are not federally recognized. Oklahoma needs to captialize on our own uniqueness. |
|
TOPIC: Believe and Achieve
We need more emphasison higher levels of competence in the areas of of science and technical skills, cretive and innovative skills, mlti task skills, diverse language skills and knowledge of othre culturals, communiating skills, sharing with foreign students by video conference and or short visitations, reaching the minority and low income students through pilot programs and or other avenues, and in seeing more diversity (ethnic) in our education system and country as role models, and workshops for administrators and educational staff in reference to abstract and divrse attitudes towards people of different ethnic backgrounds. |
|
TOPIC: Underage Drinking
Turn 18 and you legally have to register with the Selective Service. If one is old enough to fight and die for their county they should be old enough to drink. Oklahoma needs to respect 18-20 year old citizens and lower the drinking age to 18. |
|
TOPIC: Meth
Dr. Mr. Speaker, Oklahoma needs a concerted advertising campaign to make it clear to drug runners, that if they bring Meth to OK they will face a minimum of 10 years in prison. This should contain billboards at our boarders, posters at rest stops, and convenience stores. Also radio and TV public service announcements that sends a clear strong message, in both english and spanish, that OK is serious about putting drug runners away. This could lead the nation in another anti-meth strategy. |
|
TOPIC: Underage Drinking
Underage drinking is a "huge" problem. It not only affects our present lives, but also our future possibilities. Each day 7,000 kids in the U.S., under the age of 16, will take their first drink. We need to raise taxes on alcohol and use the money that is generated from taxes on Prevention Programs and Ad Campaigns to fight underage drinking. Our youth is our future. |
|
TOPIC: Legislature Pay
Reduction in elected legislature pay- too much money is paid to them for so few hours in session! |
|
TOPIC: Guard Rails
Why not put the blunt end of guard rail away from traffic. Right now most guard rails have the blunt end facing traffic, while the other end is buried. What a waste of money. If you bury the end facing traffic a vehicle will run up on it causing little damage, rather than a square yellow and black target that causes considerable damage. In New Mexico all the guard rails are put in the correct way, ours are backwards. This was proven by the Highway and Transportation years ago. |
|
TOPIC: # of days kids are in school
Our kids are currently in School 30 to 45 days less than their Global competitors. Multiply that times 12 years, and you see that during their 12 years in school the "Global Kids" get one and a half to 2 years more schooling. How long will it be until our kids cannot compete on a global basis. Solution: tie future pay raises to more days in the classroom. |
|
TOPIC: Helmets
Mandatory helmet laws for motorcycle and ATV operators and passengers. |
|
TOPIC: State owned vehicles
On two ocassions I have noticed unmarked automobiles with state of Oklahoma official plates being used for apparently personal use. Since the vehicles has no department or agency markings I contacted my representative to find out who the vehicles were assigned to so I could contact that department head. On both ocassions I was told the vehicle assignment was confidential. I propose that all offical vehicles be required to display a decal that identifys the department or agency so an inquirey can be made. I do not like taxpayer money being spent as a perk for a state employee. |
|
TOPIC: Local Property Taxes
I am 75 years old and have been a resident of Lawton almost 30 years and have seen the hardship placed on seniors by the annual 5% increase in property assesment each year. The County Assessors feel and use the excuse that the Legislature requires them to increase annually the assessed value of all property in Oklahoma by 5%.. My main idea is that property taxes for people over 65 should be frozen at the 2000 assessed value. Second would be to reduce the annual assessed value increase to no more then 3% at the most. Third would be to increase the Homestead exemption to $3,000. These are all needed but especially freeezing property taxes for people over 65. |
|
TOPIC: Economic Development/Early Childhood
Current research by leading economists show a direct relationship between positive early childhood experiences and economic growth. Quality child care is an important developmental influence on the future of our society as well as an influence toward increasing our productivity growth rate. Oklahoma should be on the receiving end of the cost/benefit ratio of $17 for every $1 spent twoard early childhood initiatives. The state is first in the nation for early childhood programs, so now it needs to be first in early childhood outcomes. Establish alignment between early learning programs and elementary schools to help with transition to school and to help with tracking of outcomes. |
|
TOPIC: Nursing Homes
Laws to penalize nursing home owners/operators who cannot control theft in their establishments. |
|
TOPIC: OSU-Tulsa
Make OSU-Tulsa a stand alone 4-year residential university. |
|
TOPIC: welfare
I cannot claim this idea as my own, as I read it in a "letter to the editor" from a out-of-state newspaper. The premise was this: Most employers today require their employees to complete drug testing on a random basis, yet our welfare system(which drug-tested tax payers pay for) does not require its recipients to complete random drug testing to receive tax payer money! I believe that all state employees must complete all such testing, and I think that all welfare recipients should be subject to the same standards as any other employee. |
|
TOPIC: healthcare
Dear Mr. Speaker: As a physician who travels the state, I see and epidemic that effects more Oklahomans than the bird flu ever will. It is the epidemic of smoking and obesity. For the state to have a successful future, nothing is more important than the health of our citizens. Many of my patients would like to quit smoking; however, they cannot afford the new medication by Pfizer, Chantix, which has the most successful quit rate. I would like to see the tobacco trust fund used to supplement the price of medications to help smokers kick the habit. Although more controversial, I would also propose tax credits for those who are able to lose weight and keep it off. To fund this proposal, I would levy a fee on medical advertising which is a waste of precious health care dollars. |
|
TOPIC: stronger tax cuts
Dear Mr. Speaker, the tax cuts already could be accelerated by amending the language to state that 90% of revenue increases would go to tax relief, and still have the safety clause stating that in the event of revenue shortfall the rates remain the same. This would likely result in a larger tax cut than the one already approved. |
|
TOPIC: LLC certificates
Dear Mr. Speaker, as you may be aware until a few years ago, LLC certificates were a one time filing rather than yearly and I believe that the one time filing was more user friendly, and more supportive of the business community. |
|
TOPIC: Federal matching Funds
Before Oklahoma accepts Federal matching Funds for roads, schools, etc.. I would like a study done to see if the state actully gains from acepting the money. It maybe that by the time you comply with all the contions to recive the money, it would of been better to have done the project with out the fereral help. |
|
TOPIC: Child support
Change the child support laws so that custodial parents who interfere with visitation by the noncustodial parent are denied support payments. |
|
TOPIC: Privatize State Welfare Programs
Competition will bring a more efficient program and allow more people to use the welfare programs as a hand up not a hand out. |
|
TOPIC: Universal School Vouchers
We need universal school choice for two reason. First, private schools cost 1/2 as much as public schools and get twice the results. Real free market competition will produce quality while lowering costs. Second, public schools are in the process of indoctrination not education, it is time to take the monopoly of our children's minds away from the government. |
|
TOPIC: Illegal immigrants
Require any illegal immigrants (any person who does not have legal papers to show they should be here to be reported by state, federal and municipal employees who discover such. |
|
TOPIC: Sales tax on food
No sales tax on food if for human consumption. |
|
TOPIC: New State Constitution
I would suggest we have a new state constitution drawn up for our next 100 years. |
|
TOPIC: Child Support Laws
Change the child support laws so that parents who do not pay child support do not get the right to see their children |
|
TOPIC: tax credit
Give a tax credit (as some states already have in place) for premiums paid for long term care insurance, up to $3000.00 per year on their state income tax forms. This would provide incentive for more people to take out long term insurance, which would save the state of Oklahoma millions of dollars every year in medicaid costs and other unreimbursable costs to the state. Strictly supervise the insurance companies which sell this type of insurance to insure that those who are insured are receiving a true benefit. I have submitted this idea as a member of the Oklahoma Silver Haired Legislature and it was one of the top ten ideas. There are are other states that have already implemented this idea that helps both its older citizens and the state as well. |
|
TOPIC: Advanced Eduaction
Oklahoma School of the Fine Arts - Oklahoma should build a residential, two-year, advanced senior high school for students who are gifted and talented in the fine arts and music. Many world-renowned musicians, artist, actors/actresses, and authors have come from this state. This past New Years Day 150 of Oklahoma’s best high school musicians performed in the opening ceremonies for the Tournament of Roses Parade. This performance was broadcast on international television to an audience of more than 400 million people! We already have the best young people. We should support our highly talented children with a school that will help them meet their highest potential. Let the Great State of Oklahoma be showcase of talent to the world. |
|
TOPIC: Economic Development
In the 1970's there was an important piece of Federal legislation that made it possible for entrepreneurs to obtain tax exempt industrial bonds from municipal development authorities. Through this program, there were a number of Oklahomans who successfully established manufacturing and assembly companies, creating good paying jobs with benefits and potential for internal advancement. I believe we should seek a way to reinstate that program on the state level, thereby investing in Oklahomans and growing the economy without spending at such a phenomenal rate for recruiting and attraction. |
|
TOPIC: Wage Garnishment
Wage garnishments should not be allowed. They hurt the poorest Oklahomans the most and encourage predatory Pay Day Loan companies. Businesses, the government, and the poor would all be helped by a reduction in the amount of paperwork, time, & money spent calculating and garnishing wages. Ending garnishments would also encourage better background checking by loan companies and not give them a free subsidy by letting the government take money out of the poor's paychecks. Already four states, including Texas, do not allow garnishments and they are stealing businesses away from Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: water sales and water rights
house speaker cargill, please see that the moratorium is not lifted on not selling water to other states. selling water to other states would set a precedent that the state of oklahoma would have to live with forever. introduce a bill that would make it law that oklahoma's water cannot be sold to other state.these one time sales that lobbyist's conduct "activities" to get legislators to agree to sell oklahoma's water and water rights are not looking at the long term effects this will have on the future of oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Early Childhood
Let's work to insure that all our state's families with children, from birth through five years of age, have adequate health care, insurance, and parent education about child development and growth. I believe we have to start at birth to prepare our children for school and for life-long learning. Let's work with the State Dept. of Education and child care providers to develop curriculum and learning opportunities so that when our youngest students are pre-school age, they have been prepared with vertically aligned curriculum and are ready for the high quality curriculum that is presently in place in pre-school and all day kindergarten. Oklahoma is leading the nation is early childhood innovations, but we need to go further and involve our children birth-four so that there is no gap in their learning. All agencies that currently work with families and young children need to begin to coordinate their efforts and work toward a common goal. |
|
TOPIC: Biofuels
We as a state need to invest in and incentivize the production of biofuels. This includes incentives for the production of biodiesel, ethanol and biomass. The more clean, renewable uel we can create in Oklahoma the less dependent we are on foreign imports. Let's keep the Oklahoma money in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Public Transportation
Oklahoma's two major cities would benefit from improved mass transit systems. The addition of light-rail lines would reduce the number cars on the road at any one time, especially during rush hours. The decreased traffic would reduce wear and tear of roadways, reduce the number of traffic accidents, and reduce the dependance on oil. |
|
TOPIC: Probate
Make a change to state probate law to allow real property and personal property to be sold before final probate which some times takes one to two years to complete. If the law could be changed to allow this and all the money put into an excrow account to pay all parties at the final accounting. The executor of the estate could do this at the Probate Judges biding and would be accountable to all parties involved in the probate. Kansas has such a law that could be use as a template. |
|
TOPIC: Cost savings for OESC deposits
OK Employment Security Commission should do as the Federal government does: an employer tallies quarterly unemployment payments due, and pays when total is over $100, or at end of year, whichever comes first. OESC wants quarterly payments no matter how small (the last check I sent was for twenty-four cents). I don't know how much it costs OESC to process a check, but I imagine it is more than whatever interest the twenty-four cents earned. For each small business whose unemployment payments are less than $100 per year, OESC could cut by 75% their check processing costs. |
|
TOPIC: Public Safety
Begin using technology to our advantage and pass legislation allowing the use of cameras to enforce traffic laws such as turning maneuvers, speeding and stop light compliance.The officer hours saved could be redirected toward putting more pressure on gangs. This would provide better traffic safety for the citizens as well as enhanced attention to gang and drug problems in our cities. This would be accomplished without adding any officers or overtime. |
|
TOPIC: Regional Consolidation
I would ask that the State Legislature provide local units of governments more flexibilty in the consolidation of services. The consolidation of city/county governments will eliminate duplication of programs and public safety departments.The enabling legislation would provide aloca option to those city/country governments wishing to hold local elections asking citizens to approve the concept/idea. |
|
TOPIC: County Government
Give the citizens of Oklahoma's 77 counties the power to chose how their individual county governments will be run ("home rule"). |
|
TOPIC: Veterans Benefits
How about rewarding out Veterans by giving them some "Rewards" when they return home. After all, it is because of their efforts that we enjoy our freedoms today. |
|
TOPIC: Senior Tax Break
We need to give our seniors a tax cut or no tax at all This would provide a great incentive for seniors to retire here in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Junk Vehicles
Require all vehicles to have a current tag and run, or have a salvage tag to be parked on streets or private property. (Except licensed junkyards |
|
TOPIC: IH-45 extension thru OK
Partner with the state of Texas and Kansas to work with the federal govt to extend Intersate highway 45 from Dallas (where it stops) on northward. this would be a big economic plus for all three states. This would replace the Indian Nation turnpike and would generate lots of new interstate traffic. |
|
TOPIC: Toll Roads and Economic development
Please do away with all toll roads in the state. It is a proven fact that economic development is hindered with toll roads. Without toll roads private businesses could easily develop along the normal exit and entrace ramps of the highways. These businesses would be collecting and paying state sales taxes that could offset the tolls. |
|
TOPIC: Dependent Health Insurance
In Oklahoma, young adults are covered by their parent's health care coverage until the age of 23 and only if a student in college. I propose that Oklahoma change the mandated age to 26 because it is taking young adults so much longer to finish their higher education due to the extremely high cost of tuition. Availability of loans have diminished and young people are having to work more to help pay their way thus extending the time it takes to finish college. New Jersey is a state that has changed its age for insurability. This age group does not visit doctors regularly so the added cost should be minimal. Why can't we help these young adults keep their health insurance while they finish their degree? |
|
TOPIC: nursing home administrators
change law: title 63 public health and safety chapter 12 sec.51 item 2 . require nursing home administrators to devote a full day and have a manager on duty when the administrator cannot be on duty at the nursing home. give the okla.board of long-term administrators more power in such areas of requiring nursing home administrators to take continuing education courses.put some fines in the powers of the Long term care board to force the nursing homes to follow the laws already in the statutes to help the residents have a life at the nursing facility. |
|
TOPIC: Government Waste
Every process should be analyzed from a business perspective. Do a cost-benefit analysis on the Hiring Freeze Exception process, the process of EBC billing agencies for FICA, the process of State Finance billing agencies for PeopleSoft transactions, and the agency Budget Request process. |
|
TOPIC: State Sales Tax on groceries
In lieu of raising the minmum wage, remove the state's portion of the sales tax on groceries. The technology of current cash registers will alllow this to be done with minimal effort. In addition, this will have a more dramatic effect on low income peope since they spend a greater percentage of their income on food. |
|
TOPIC: Retirees
Make Oklahoma a mecca for retirees. They are silver and gold to states. Eliminate the income caps that keep many well-to-do private sector retirees from getting the $10,000 exemption. So, they move out of state where all retirees are treated the same. This would be a great economic move for 2007 and years to come. |
|
TOPIC: Inmates-clean roads sides
I think the inmates should be cleaning the roads all over the state. We the tax payers need something back for our tax money while they are in jail. So put them out there cleaning the highways with ball and chang if that is what it takes. |
|
TOPIC: Fishing/Hunting Licenses
Fishing and hunting licenses should be issued on an annual basis, not by calendar year. |
|
TOPIC: Income Tax
Do away with our income tax as we know it and replace it with a flat tax of no more than 5% with a standard deduction of $20,000. It's nice, simple and will be a more efficient and revenue-enhancing tax system than the one we have currently. |
|
TOPIC: "public" utilities
pass a law to force the public utilities in oklahoma to have uniform statements, utility bills whatever you want to call whats sent to the user,rate payer a UNIFORM GENERIC STMT., BILL , ETC.THAT IS EASY TO READ WITH THE USAGE AND COST OF THE PRODUCT THE UTILITY IS FURNISHING THE RATE PAYER. NOT EVERY UTILITY HAVING A CONFUSING STMT. AND NONE THE SAME FORMAT.WE RATE PAYERS NEED THIS ESPECIALLY WHEN WE WILL HAVE MORE CHOICES WHICH UTILITY CO. WE DO BUSINESS WITH. |
|
TOPIC: lobbyists
pass a law that makes it illegal for anyone in the executive, legislative or judicial branch of oklahoma's government that accepts any form of gratuity from a lobbyist shall be convicted as a felon, impeached from office and sent to prison. |
|
TOPIC: After School Centers for preteens and teenagers
Throughout Tulsa and surrounding cities there are neumerous unused schools buildings and land. If they are owned by the city or state they should be turned into youth centers (athletic, artistic, reading, stradigy board games, computers, ETC.) I know dozens of people that would dontate time, money and materials toward these types of positive activity centers. I know some of these empty pieces property are owned by out of state individuals or companies (Storefronts, wharehouses, empty lots and parking lots that are an eyesore) they are some collecting money from a lease contract or unchecked pieces of property that are ownwd just for tax revenue. Make them pay for what they don't use and/or give them an opportunity to help a community through a donation whatever it takes this would do a lot for Tulsa, the kids, the community, and would eventually make Tulsa one of the better places in the USA to live. |
|
TOPIC: Future Energy Research
We should develop a "Future Energy" research park along the lines of the Medical Research park we have in Oklahoma City. This is a natural fit for Oklahoma. We have always been a leader in energy discovery and energy technology. We also have abundant natural resources to research solar energy, biomass energy, and we even have the experience with deep drilling to research geo-thermal energy. We need to have a means of creating high paying jobs in Oklahoma. This is a great way to do this. |
|
TOPIC: Cattle on paved roads
Come up with some sort of law requiring farmers, who keep cattle in fields or pastures, to either register with the highway patrol or post a sign on their fence with the owner's name and a contact number to let them know when they have cattle out. When I call the highway patrol they want to know if I know who the owner is. If I did, I would call them instead. I have seen some terrible accidents that might have been avoided. Thanks for listening. |
|
TOPIC: Relax Wine Shipment laws
Oklahoma has a growing agricultural industry in the area of wine production. Being a food-based product, but unable to ship outside the state, no shipping laws severely limits the growth of this new industry. Because of restrictive state laws, a legitimate industry could possibly wither and die (no pun intended). If Oklahoma lawmakers a truly interested in supporting Oklahoma-based businesses and free enterprise, perhaps they will see the opportunities in relaxing antiquated, prohibition-style laws, controlled by the liquor lobby. |
|
TOPIC: Education
I am a high school teacher in Jenks, Oklahoma. I am interested in pursuing my masters degree in my subject matter and/or curriculum, but due to the high cost of the degree and the lack of return in my pay, there has not been an incentive for me to pursue higher education in order to be better prepared to lead our students into the future. My idea would be to offer an "OHLAP" type scholarship program for teachers. Many corporations provide tutition assistance for their employees and in my opinion, the state of Oklahoma should do the same for its teachers. In exchange for the scholarship, the teacher would sign a contract to work as a teacher in the state for X number of years. This would ensure a more qualfied work force in the schools as well as the retention of teachers and their families in the state. |
|
TOPIC: State Parks
Impose a small, State-wide, hotel occupancy tax with the revenue earmarked for maintaining and renovating Oklahoma's State Parks. |
|
TOPIC: State Income Tax
I propose eliminating the state income tax. I understand that our state government is funded by these taxes, however these taxes (along with the federal income tax) are crippling our middle class. I would support an increase in the state sales tax to fund what the income tax carries at this time. I understand that this sales tax will be an substantial increase from previous level, however I do not think this increase will deter spending. I am a registered Democrat and have voted for both Democrats and Republicans in the past. I have spoken with numerous individuals (both Ds and Rs) that would support a state sales tax increase. Please give this consideration this year! |
|
TOPIC: Turnpike
I think that the Turnpike Authority needs to use the tolls on recovering long stretches of the turnpike. |
|
TOPIC: 100 ideas
No state income tax |
|
TOPIC: Education
Oklahoma spends hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars on K-12 education and yet we rank just above bottom nationally. Instead of pumping more money into a system that obviously isn't working I think the time has come to private all K-12 education. Privatization will allow schools to cut waste and bureaucracy and focus more on educating students by letting them direct monies where it is the most needed. Privatization will also allow schools to compete for the best teachers based solely on merit instead of a union that cares more about getting raises then teaching children. Low income families would not be hurt by this because exemptions for those making less than $30,000 a year could be made to ensure their child can attend school in their district. |
|
TOPIC: Out-of-school time programming
80% of children's time is out of school. We must have quality, enriching out-of school time programs available to all of our children. If we want to develop a quality workforce for Oklahoma's future, we must make sure our-of school time activities are affordable and available to every single child who needs it. Many states invest in this for their children - let's make Oklahoma one of them this year! |
|
TOPIC: Early Childhood/Parent Education
Early childhood is so important as it impacts all future development of that individual. Parents, as the child's first and most important teacher, are sometimes not aware of the importance of their role in the child's development. Could an initiative, similar to the Marriage Initiative, be established that would require all new parents (or expectant parents) to attend some Parenting Education Classes. |
|
TOPIC: Cell Phones
Prohibit the use of cell phones while operating a motor a motor vehicle for the safety. |
|
TOPIC: Health Care
Developing Reimbursement Models to Sustain Primary Care. The current reimbursement system for primary care medicine is not sustainable. Practice resources are insufficient in the current system to accomplish many of the tasks essential for an improved and transformed health care system (eg, a personal medical home for every American, electronic health records, quality monitoring and reporting). |
|
TOPIC: Health Care
Electronic Health Records. Electronic health records implementation will enhance and integrate communication, diagnosis and treatment, measurement of processes and results, analysis of the effects of comorbidity, recording and coding elements of whole-person care, and promoting ongoing healing relationships between physicians and their patients. |
|
TOPIC: Health Care
Taking Steps to Ensure Every Oklahoman Has a Personal Medical Home. A New Model of care based on the concept of a relationship-centered personal medical home, which serves as the focal point through which all individuals—regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status participate in health care. In this new medical home, patients receive a basket of acute, chronic, and preventive medical care services that are accessible, accountable, comprehensive, integrated, patient-centered, safe, scientifically valid, and satisfying to both patients and their physicians. |
|
TOPIC: Automobile Registration
Shift the burden of collecting excise tax and new/used car registration to the New Car/ Used Car Dealer. Where better to collect the fees than at time of sale. |
|
TOPIC: no-fault car insurance
Change the present system for car insurance to no-fault. Virginia has such insurance and the price is considerably lower than in Oklahoms, Texas. etc. This would be a savings for most households in Oklahoma. It would also simplify the time it takes to file and collect claims. |
|
TOPIC: ACCOUNTABILITY FOR DHS
There has got to be some changes made concerning DHS. This agency is out of control and the children of Oklahoma are the ones paying the price. Sometimes with their lives. I am a former foster of over 24 years and have seen the abuse of power by DHS. There is no agency over the dept. that the state director does not sit on that board. We have the fox guarding the hen house. There needs to be an agency apart and seperate from DHS that oversees them AND has enforcement power. OCCY oversees DHS but they have no enforcement power.We have laws in place but there is no one that holds DHS accountable if they break policy or laws which they are doing. We have childrens lives depending upon these changes. |
|
TOPIC: New Home Contractors Law
Please design a law to protect homeowners from unscrupulous home contractors. New Mexico's stringent laws could be used as a template. The law could include features such as 1) licensing requirements 2) standard contract formats 3) penalties 4) mediation procedures 5) data base for public access to check on a contractor's record of violations...and many more. |
|
TOPIC: STATE INCOME TAX
PLEASE HAVE A MAJOR SIMPLIFICATION OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE INCOME TAX RETURNS PERFORMED. I HAVE DONE MY OWN TAXES FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND OKLAHOMA TAX RETURN IS ONE OF THE MOST COMPLICATED AND CONFUSING IN THE COUNTRY. |
|
TOPIC: First Time Driver Regulations
With the increase in road traffic it is time to look at changing the way in which we allow new driver’s the privilege of using the roadways. I think we should adopt the method in use by Australia wherein new drivers (regardless of age) must go through a series of tests. You start out with an additional “L” plate on your vehicle during your first year, then onto the “P” plates. This identifies driver’s who are inexperienced, as well as limits the speeds and times in which they can drive. For more information please see: http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/newsevents/2007_01_pplate.html |
|
TOPIC: SCHOOL MEALS
THE PROCESS OF CHARGING FOR STUDENT MEALS HAS BECOME ABSURD. SO MANY STUDENTS HAVE SUBSIDIZED OR FREE MEALS THAT IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO GIVE THEM AWAY TO EVRYONE. PARENTS WHO CAN AFFORD THE MEALS END UP PAYING FOR EVERYONE'S ANYWAY, SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL SIMPLY MAKE IT A COST OF OPERATION. THIS ALSO AVOIDS THE BUREACRACY OF PAID MEALS, AND THE BUREACRACY OF SUBSIDIES. LET ME KNOW IF I CAN PROVIDE ANY FURTHER EXPLANATION, SINCE I WORK AS A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER. |
|
TOPIC: jobs
I would like to see more information made available to the public on how to obtain grants, low-interest loans, and education provided tostart up new businesses in poor, rural communities. Most employers are in Tulsa or Oklahoma City. We need to offer incentives to smaller communites. We also need to provide help to families interested in farming and ranching. |
|
TOPIC: Immigration
Illegal immigration is draining resources from the state that could be better spent elsewhere (as in education). My idea is to pass a law requiring all employers and landlords to verify legal residency before hiring or renting to illegals. If they knowingly hire/rent then they would be subject to a $10,000 fine per offense and be given a notice of citation. Three notices and they would forfeit they're liscense to do business. Money could also be saved by cutting all ESL education and the offering of governement services in Spanish. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Legislature
Combine the Oklahoma Legislature into one body that is an unicameral legislature. |
|
TOPIC: Eliminate State Grocery Sales Tax
Why is Oklahoma one of the few states left with a grocery tax that hurts the poor. Eliminate the grocery tax and give us a break so that the extra money can go to things we need like more milk, bread, and eggs. |
|
TOPIC: School District Consolidation
Oklahoma has nearly 540 school districts in 77 counties. That means we have 540 Superintendants, and thousands of administrative staffers. |
|
TOPIC: New Criminal Law Video Voyeurism
There is a strong argument that Oklahoma's Title 21 O.S. § 1171; Use of Video Equipment for a Lascivious purpose statute does not cover Video Voyeurism or "Up Skirting" as it is commonly called. It should be amended to do so. Other states have experienced this same problem with their statutes . In State v. Glass, 54 P3d 147 (2002) the Washington State Supreme Court found that the Washington state case did not cover this activity. Tulsa County has had a video voyerism case dismissed because the statute does not cover that behavior. |
|
TOPIC: Retirement System Review
The first step in solving the retirement systems funding problem would be a complete review by experts. Frank Keating as a former governor and head of the ACLI has members who could do this review for the legislature and make recommendations. |
|
TOPIC: OKC & Tulsa Public Defenders
Currently the public defenders for Tulsa and Oklaoma county are appionted by and serve at the pleasure of the district judges. The problem with this is that these Public Defenders are required to appear in front of those judges and represent their clients. The public defenders for Tulsa and Oklahoma county should be appionted by either the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals or the Oklahoma Supreme Court. It actually makes more sense to have state wide public defenders office but if you are not going to do that the Tulsa County and Oklahoma County Public Defenders should be independent and appionted by someone other than the judges they must appear in front of. |
|
TOPIC: Criminal Law
Title 21 O.S. Section 1713 makes it a crime to conceal or receive property of "any value whatsoever" If that property has been stolen or embezzeled. This creates strange results. For instance 2 individuals enter a store. One steals a candy bar as they leave the one who stole the candy bar gives it to the other person swho accepts it knowing that it has been stolen. The thief is guilty of a misdemeanor. The person who accepted it is guilty of a felony. Just as with grand larceny there should be a dollar amount before concealing stolen property becomes a felony.There should be misdemenaor concealing stolen property and felony concealing stolen property depending on the dollar amount. |
|
TOPIC: Teacher tenure
While I was serving in the OK State Senate in the early 1970's, a measure was passed granting tenure to Oklahoma teachers. I originally and still do oppose this legislation. It has become a cloak behind which incompetant teachers are able to renew their contracts year after year. I think the measure needs to be addressed and serious consideration given to repealing. This legislation has tied the hands of the local school boards and is a contributing factor to the knowledge that we are losing scores of qualified teachers to neighboring states each year. Bob Medearis |
|
TOPIC: Seniors Tax Break
Please review State Income requirements for seniors. Compared to Florida and other states, seniors pay higher state Income Tax. Tax Breaks set by age (if legal) would be helpful. A senior above 70 or 75 could receive greater tax benefits. Also the state could review extra incentives for veterans and possibility others in need. With the growing age rate, having this state encourage our seniors to return or stay, could be a benefit to this great state. |
|
TOPIC: City Revenues
Most cities have a difficult time raising additional revenues since the sales tax is their basic revenue tool. I would like to see legislation allowing the cities to be able to seel their bridges, streets and overpasses to those that may want their name on it. The actual address would not change, but a plaque saying the new name. This would be like selling box seats. |
|
TOPIC: Death Pebalty
If Oklahoma is going to have the death penalty than there are a couple of aggravating that should be added. The first aggravating factor should be that if someone kills somebody who has a protective order against them. If someone goes to the trouble of getting a Protective Order against someone and that indivdual kills them anyway that should be an aggravating factor. The other aggravating factor should be that if someone kills a child. It is an aggravating factor to kill a police officer than why not a child. |
|
TOPIC: Early Childhood
Oklahoma has received national recognition for early childhood initiatives including Reaching for the Stars tiered reimbursement for quality child care and the broad availability of Pre-Kindergarten programs. We should build on these efforts by increasing the focus on social and emotional development in early childhood and broader access to health and mental health services for licensed child care and Pre-K programs. More than half of Oklahoma's young children pass through one or both of these programs before entering kindergarten. There are more than 156,107 Oklahoma children age birth to 5 years with one or both parents in the workforce. From both a public health perspective and an education perspective we should take advantage of the time these children spend in licensed child care and Pre-K programs to intervene early in families and support at risk children. Study after study has demonstrated that early intervention is cost effective. |
|
TOPIC: 1st Time Speeding Offenders
1st time speeding offenders could be offered 2 choices: 1) pay the fine or 2) donate blood to the Oklahoma Blood bank. That way there will never be a blood shortage for the State and offenders might think twice before speeding again. Sometimes courts will let the offender "pay out" the fine or reduce the costs. This way there will be the saving of a life in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Law Enforcement
I think the state should move the State Park Rangers out from under the control of the Department of Tourism and under the controls of the Department of Public Safety. This would be beneficial because Rangers serve a public safety function, not a tourism function. This would make citizens visiting our state parks more safe because the Rangers would not be under supervision of civilians who do not have law enforcement knowledge and are qualified for tourism, not law enforcement. It may also serve to free up some tourism dollars to improve our state parks. |
|
TOPIC: Child safety
Okklahoma's children would be safer with state funded or subsidized after-school programming in Neighborhood Centers, hosted in beighborhood schools and/or churches abd commmunity centers. |
|
TOPIC: Children and Families
As director of a non-profit which contracts with several state agencies to provide services to families and as a foster parent for DHS, I have seen the devastating effect of broken families on Oklahoma’s children. Often, our response is to remove children from their homes and have Mom/Dad complete a series of steps to earn the right to “get their children back”. These families have not learned the skills necessary to successfully parent, build a committed relationship, manage a household, and balance work and home responsibilities. They frequently respond to the stresses of life by abusing drugs, alcohol, each other and even their children.
Changing the dynamic of a family is very, very difficult. Our current system has an abysmal failure rate. The generational culture of abuse can only be changed with very targeted intervention involving education, counseling, modeling, accountability and support. Much of the money spent currently results in no lasting effect on the family and systematically destroys the children we are trying to protect.
What many Oklahoma families need is a coach to help them manage their home, finances, and understand the developmental needs of children. They need to learn what you and I learned by watching our own parents. Oklahoma is in need of a parent mentor program that would target the specific needs of families and provide in- home services determined by both the family and the service provider. The concept differs from our current systems in that the needs of families are determined by the family and the response from the state is assistive instead of punitive.
|
|
TOPIC: HOPE Activity Centers
Oklahomans could consider the possibilities for building activity centers for ages 4 wks. to 17 years old. These centers include activity rooms to keep children off the streets and involved in something worthwhile. Parents and other volunteers will manage these centers. |
|
TOPIC: Save Our Baby Reminders
To prevent the senseless death of infants and children left in cars that are exposed to extreme heat, Oklahoma can be the first state to put warnings to "Save Our Babies." Similar to an "Amber Alert," the purpose is to raise awareness and spur actions to prevent children from dying in overheated cars. |
|
TOPIC: Illegal Immigration/English Language
Many illegal immigrants are receiving a free education and financial aid when other legal Oklahoman citizens could use the same benefits. Many illegal immigrants cannot speak English. If they are going to live and work in Oklahoma (which they should not be allowed to do illegally in the first place), they should learn to speak English. |
|
TOPIC: College Freshman Counseling
Considering how many students on today's college campuses are suffering from difficulties, counseling should be required for all students entering into any Oklahoma college campus, during the student's 1st semester. Counseling could help with education, health issues, and even in some extreme cases, preventing death from depression or substance abuse such as alcohol. |
|
TOPIC: Mentors for Middle and High Schoolers
Middle & high school students often do not know what to expect of college. Current students at Oklahoma universities could serve as mentors to students at local middle and high schools, essentially helping college-bound students realize their dreams of attaining a college education. The mentors would express the importance of working hard in school, as well as give hope to lower income, working class communities, thus inspiring motivated and gifted students to strive forth and achieve entry into college. |
|
TOPIC: The Green Initiative - no-till farming
Oklahoma's heritage is deeply rooted in agriculture. The "Green Initiative" proposal calls for a tax waiver incentive applicable to Oklahoma family and business farms that implement no-till farming techniques. No-till farming reduces soil erosion, decreases groundwater loss due to evaporation, and lower amounts of carbon dioxide released into the air from tractor engines. |
|
TOPIC: Collegiate Swimming Programs
Oklahoma should embrace swimming at the collegiate level. Not only will it feed more money into the state's colleges through tuition, it will keep Oklahomans in Oklahoma and reduce the possibilities of them settling out-of-state. It will also help swimmers who cannot afford out-of-state tuition to continue to enjoy their sport throughout their college experience in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Establish HALO Club Foundation
A proposal that should be given some thought is the "HALO Club Foundation." "HALO CLUB" (Helping Adopt & Love Orphaned Children Lost Under Bureaucracy) would serve to focus on partnering the DHS system & other agencies to work towards finding permanent families for Oklahoma's orphaned and foster care children. |
|
TOPIC: Build Better Roads
People use roads everyday. Roads should be made with the best materials available to avoid constant maintenance and construction. With the agricultural and tourism aspect in boom for Oklahoma, having the best system of roads can only make our industries thrive more consistently. |
|
TOPIC: Reform Our High School Graduation Goal
Oklahoma must raise its high school graduation rate from 68.7% to an attainable 87% graduation rate. Blindly aiming for 100% so soon would sabotage any progress Oklahoma makes, so aiming higher each year rather than blindly aiming for perfection can yield slow and steady results without setbacks due to coming up short on the first attempt to improve graduation rates. |
|
TOPIC: Collegiate Swimming Programs
In 2006, Oklahoma was ranked the 13th heaviest state in the nation with relation to adult obesity rates sitting just over 25%. To solve this problem, Oklahoma should bring swimming into collegiate institutions. Currently, competitive swimming isn't offered at any Oklahoma college or university. By bringing the sport of swimming to colleges around the state, Oklahoma will keep students in the state, lower obesity rates, and allow us to compete with the other Big XII schools in yet another sport. |
|
TOPIC: Promote Renewable Energy Resources
The FORGE program implements new & innovative ways to help motivate Oklahomans & Oklahoma's government into conserving non-renewable energy sources & profiting financially by those techniques. Cutting down costs on fossil fuels, electricity, & waste puts more money back into the pockets of Oklahomans. Reducing hazardous discharge and emissions not only protects the environment, but it also improves the quality of health and lowers medical expenses. |
|
TOPIC: 4th & 5th Grade After School Math Mentors
Older children in the schools (4th-6th graders) could become after-school tutors for the younger children (3rd graders and below) in the area of mathematics. This is one solution to shortages of peer tutoring and also to low math scores. Ultimately, higher math scores result from a collaboration of student & teaching involvement. |
|
TOPIC: Adopt Curriculum Focused on Understanding & Application
Oklahoma should adopt a statewide curriculum to combat the attitude of simply memorizing something long enough to take a test. Knowledge of a concept without knowledge of how to use it is useless. When students discover real-life applications of a concept, real mastery occurs. This mastery will stay with them for a lifetime. |
|
TOPIC: OK Hoe-Down - Charity Football Game for Teachers
To reform Oklahoma's education system, we can improve teacher retention by strengthening teacher compensation using the intra-state rivalry between OU & OSU to increase revenue for education. A fundraiser called "The Oklahoma Hoe-Down" could raise money to go towards Oklahoma teacher salaries. |
|
TOPIC: Okie Computer Game for School Kids
In order to support the belief in a "strong Oklahoma," an exciting computer game can be developed to allow a student to play as "Okie," an "Oklahoma Hero" traveling through the land run, the Dust Bowl, and different landmarks. He receives extra points for community service, like picking up trash along Route 66. Okie learns character traits that keep him alive and out of danger. It essentialy teaches the student about community service, leadership, and the history of Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Teach Cultural Diversity in K-12 Schools
When in elementary school & high school, students need to be subjected to other cultures and other ways of thinking. Students need to see that there is a lot more to the world than just where they live and what is right in front of them. At a younger age, students are more susceptible to learning and accepting, making the learning process easier. Oklahoma's schools could easily designate a class, or a couple hours a month, to having presentations to the students about certain cultures. Education about cultural diversity can lead to many more positive things in the mind and life of young student. |
|
TOPIC: Mandatory Sex Education
Developing a mandatory sex education course in Oklahoma's schools could improve the quality of life for the young people of the state and their families. By giving students a basis of knowledge of sex, its consequences and its risks, students can begin to understand why it is so important to take care of their bodies and take precautions prior to their sexual endeavors. |
|
TOPIC: Tax Soft Drinks - Reduce Brain Drain
Oklahoma suffers from a problem that afflicts many Midwestern states, "brain drain." Students take advantage of quality graduate and medical school education offered in Oklahoma, and then move to regions with higher paying positions and more opportunity. Oklahoma has the lowest number of health care employees per capita in the U.S. Using capital generated from a soft drink tax could improve health care in Oklahoma by encouraging recent medical school graduates to remain in Oklahoma for a designated tenure. |
|
TOPIC: Free College Tuition for Grads Who Stay in OK
Oklahoma should create a scholarship fund that will give students attenting Oklahoma universities the option to have their tuition and fees paid for if they meet the entrance requirements for that university. If students accept the scholarship, the will be required to live and work in state for a set number of years. During this time, their state taxes will be placed into the scholarship's coffers and will be used to pay current scholarship students' tuition and fees. |
|
TOPIC: OKDHS Hotline for Seniors
Oklahoma's DHS motto is "Stronger Families Grow Brighter Futures," but sometimes families are getting separated due to minor discrepancies. A hotline where senior citizens could talk to a real person to get answers on technology, a friend to talk to, or just a person who cares, would greatly benefit our elderly population. |
|
TOPIC: Create OK Department of Immigration & Naturalization
Illegal immigrants & undocumented workers are becoming an unbearable financial problem in Oklahoma. The State of Oklahoma should create an official section titled the "Oklahoma Department of Immigration & Naturalization" to combat the problems of illegal immigration. |
|
TOPIC: Time Out for Troops
Oklahoma should embrace the idea of having community events be held to support those people who are struggling personally while their loved ones are away at war. These events, appropriately called "Time-Out For The Troops," would be a positive addition and public production for the State of Oklahoma. Establishing a support system for those separated from their loved ones due to war can help prevent depression and it can create a large support system that each person can rely on in times of personal struggle. |
|
TOPIC: A Reformation of DHS Policy/Foster Children
Oklahoma's Department of Human Services' Child Protective Services are as a whole, incredibly understaffed and underfunded. Oklahoma's child welfare workers and supervisors bear an active caseload that is 2 to 3 times larger than suggested by the Child Welfare League of America. Reformation in Oklahoma's DHS policies is necessary. Each case should be handled individually, according to the needs of the family involved, rather than with a blanket-policy approach. |
|
TOPIC: Building Up for Oklahoma
If industries in Oklahoma would use more "Made in Oklahoma" products, it would generate the need for more companies to produce "Made in Oklahoma" products. This would create more jobs in Oklahoma for Oklahomans, which would result in more people from other areas looking for good jobs in Oklahoma. Money would be kept in Oklahoma, and the cycle would continue. |
|
TOPIC: Criminal Justice Reform
Oklahoma's criminal justice system has got to toughen up so that the time is not worth the crime. Criminals in Oklahoma are not afraid of prosecution; they know the "in's & out's," how to get "paper time," which lawyers can get them off, regardless of guilt. Prison should be so horrendous that they don't want to be incarcerated. Once released, programs should be in place to educated and welcome back offenders so they are less likely to become "repeat offenders." |
|
TOPIC: The Fat Tax
Oklahoma should consider "The Fat Tax," a sin tax to discourage the consumption of fried fatty foods. Money earned from "The Fat Tax" would go to public use such as playgrounds or parks where people can exercise. Another excellent beneficiary would be a program to implement and fund mandatory physical education programs in Oklahoma's public school system. |
|
TOPIC: A Day of Volunteering at State Agencies
In order for our state to improve both now and in the future, Oklahomans must become more involved. Each resident of Oklahoma should have the opportunity to spend at least one day volunteering in one of our state agencies. It could be something as simple as helping with the administration of a local public school, or aiding the engineers in the bridge department of the transportation division. If volunteering isn't incentive enough, perhaps a tax credit could be arranged for those interested in participating. |
|
TOPIC: Free College Tuition
State guaranteed post-secondary education is the future of our state. The guarantee of post-secondary education to our citizens is essential for economic and social growth for our state. It would support an already steadfast commitment to Oklahoma's education (K-12). The cost can be defrayed in multiple ways including, but not limited to, a tax reimbursement made available to citizens completing various educational levels. |
|
TOPIC: Fine Arts Job Corps
The State of Oklahoma should strongly consider an effort to supplment fine arts programs in the Oklahoma Public School Systems by creating a job corp-like program for non-music majors while they are enrolled in an Oklahoma state college. College money could be offered by the state in the form of tuition waivers, scholarships, etc., to these people, who upon graduation would pay back the state with their time to the public school systems. |
|
TOPIC: Give our time and resources
Giving of one's self if the greatest gift that can be given to the State of Oklahoma. Whether it is money to the Red Cross, time to others instead of watching TV, or a gift to an orphan, Oklahomans should give more of themselves to make a difference in this state. |
|
TOPIC: Promising OK's Future by Developing Its Youth
Most rural schools lack funding for after-school programs. Oklahoma needs to allocate more money to these needy schools in order to promote after-school programs and motivate more students to attend college. Subsequently, scholarship opportunities for college-bound students should be accurately publicized with college offices outreaching to these potentially college-bound students. |
|
TOPIC: Implement Recycling Programs
Nowadays, the term "going green" has picked up a lot of momentum. How can Oklahoma start "going green?" The first measure is to not litter and instead pick up trash. Recycling paper, plastics, metals, and glass also contribute to the idea of "going green." "Going green" can save the State of Oklahoma large amounts of money and the environmental impact will be immediately noticed. |
|
TOPIC: Centralize Executive Branch - Appointed Officers
Oklahoma has almost a dozen elected executive officials, nearly twice the amount many other states have and six times the number of the federal government. In light of the benefits of a more unified Executive Branch, the Oklahoma Legislature should work to produce, through Consitutional amendment or statutory means, a more centralized Executive Branch of state government. |
|
TOPIC: Save Students Preserve Future Lives
"Save Students, Preserve Future Lives" would be a program that serves to focus on young people and substance abuse. With every drug bust in the State of Oklahoma, 25% of the property's worth confiscated should be earmarked especially for this program to generate adequate funding for statewide drug & substance abuse knowledge. Making communities and citizens of all ages aware of this program would help to teach young people how to avoid the pressure of succumbing to drug use. |
|
TOPIC: Eliminate Embezzlement to Help Reform Workforce
Embezzlement is a growing epidemic in Oklahoma. To combat this situation, Oklahoma should invest in an embezzler offender's list for prosecuted embezzlers. This list would be similar to the sex offenders list, and would be accessible to employers statewide (and nationwide if preferred). This new system would be most helpful, especially in the hiring of new employees. A result of this would be more companies taking an interest in the pro-active environment that Oklahoma supports, thus establishing new roots and creating more jobs. |
|
TOPIC: Public Awareness Campaign About Oklahoma's Roads
Typical Oklahoma drivers experience countless potholes and loose gravel on streets and highways everyday. Whether commuting to work, school, or the grocery store, citizens must battle atrocious road conditions and constant construction in order to accomplish seemingly miniscule tasks. Road conditions have been to blame for numerous safety hazards and a loss in tourism. If Oklahoma citizens desire better road conditions, an effort must be made and strongly voiced to legislators. A public awareness campaign to improve Oklahoma's roads must be initiated. |
|
TOPIC: Increase Teacher Pay
There are over 550 school superintendents statewide, each with an average yearly salary of nearly $75,000. Is this large number of superintendents necessary? Given the average annual salary for a teacher in Oklahoma is $37,879, perhaps most of the superintendent monies be distributed equally among the teachers themselves. The size of the superintendent paycheck should reflect the quality of education brought forth by that school. |
|
TOPIC: Stricter Curfew Laws
Teenage curfew laws currently exists in Oklahoma, but they are not aggressively enforced. The majority of substantial crimes could be prevented by strictly implementing curfew laws. Teenagers need to take these laws seriously or else Oklahoma is going to continue to subtly descend to a state filled with tragedies such as deaths, shootings, and illegal events that occur too often. |
|
TOPIC: Improve Nursing Home & Hospital Staff
Nursing home and hospital care in Oklahoma can be improved by having staff create a more peaceful and wholesome environment for those staying there. One of the ways to improve the problem of nursing home mistreatment is to have a more strict process in choosing the working staff. Administratives should conduct background checks, drug tests, and have thorough training in how to take care of the people living in the facility. |
|
TOPIC: Abolish the Income tax & Create Incentives for Environmental Improvement
Currently, 7 states have no personal income tax (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, & Wyoming). 2 states limit their income tax to dividends and interest income only (New Hampshire & Tennessee). Oklahoma should follow their examples and abolish the personal state income tax. To compensate for abolishing the personal income tax, an increased sales tax on all non-essential goods, with an additional sales tax on all high-priced luxury goods could be considered. |
|
TOPIC: Greener Schools . . .Grander State
Oklahoma should investigate the idea of combining the issues of education and the environment: By making our schools more eco-friendly, we will help to preserve the environment, educate students and families about conservation and the value of going green, and shave a significant amount off of each school's energy bill. The money saved could be used to initiate more extensive and more money-saving green construction projects, to fund stronger education programs, and to increase teacher salaries (in turn attracting higher quality faculty to Oklahoma's school system). |
|
TOPIC: Mentoring Program for Low Income Students
An aggressive mentoring program, promoted by the media; internally in the school system; businesses; and churches can help to provide low income individuals with the means and desire to rise above the current standard and succeed. Oklahoma should begin a massive campaign to enlist mentors for youth ages 12-16 to help guide them through the tough adolescent years. The mentors would aim to teach students to strive for specific goals and avoid the pitfalls of poor-decision making. |
|
TOPIC: Save Energy - Electric & Natural Gas
Oklahomans could save electric energy by changing their standard light bulbs to fluorescent bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs use less energy and last longer than standard light bulbs. Instead of propane heaters, citizens could install a ground source heat pump. Using heat from the earth during winter and the cooling system during the summer helps to save the use of natural gas and electicity. The short term financial investment is greatly outweighed by the long term savings. |
|
TOPIC: Year-Round Schools
The thought of "year-round schools" should be given some attention. Instead of going to school from August to May straight, perhaps legislators should alter the schedule. School could be held January through March, with a break in April. School then begins again from May to July, with a break in August. Finally, school concludes the year from September to November, with a break in December. This would decrease student and teacher burnout, and it would be consistent to the improvement of curriculum and test scores through time served. |
|
TOPIC: Establish the Renewable Energy Center
The development of inexpensive and environmentally-friendly energy sources has already begun, such as the discovery of solar and wind power. These technological developments are close to providing grid-parity, however the prices must decrease before these energy sources can be widely used. Oklahoma has a world-class reputation in atmospheric science and energy analysis. A Renewable Energy Center therefore must be established to provide alternative means for energy in Oklahoma, saving Oklahomans money and preserving the environment in the process. |
|
TOPIC: Colors of Oklahoma
Imagine how beautiful Oklahoma would be if everyone worked together at the same time towards the same goal: add color to our landscapes. "Project: Colors of Oklahoma" serves that purpose. A fund could be established to place seed packets in newspapers that go to homes and businesses. A month could be selected, perhaps April or May, when a statewide effort is announced and challenges are made to private and public sectors, to join hand in hand to make "Project" Colors of Oklahoma" a success. |
|
TOPIC: Encourage Youth to Do Community Service
If schools work to seek out the needs in their local city and compile a book to encourage school-wide involvement, we would see healthier and stronger cities across the State of Oklahoma. Putting a desire, in the hearts of young people, to grasp the importance of serving others selflessly will raise up a new generation of servant leaders. This humble leadership will continue to improve Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: 100 Ideas Implementation
All of the ideas presented in the "100 Ideas for Oklahoma" initiative are noteworthy, but there needs to be a way to encompass different ideas into one package to benefit many areas, not just one. The "100 Ideas Implementation" plan is that solution. We need to create a way to publicize all the ideas submitted and open up to the public ways to implement them (for example, a page in the Sunday "Oklahoman" newspaper, focusing on somebody's idea and featuring the person getting the job done). |
|
TOPIC: Invest and Improve Our State's Infrastructure
Oklahoma is relatively young compared to other states, but our infrastructure is in need of major repair. We must invest in improving and growing our infrastructure if we wish to bring in new businesses and create more jobs, thus creating a large and effective tax base. Improvements to Oklahoma's roads, bridges, water & sewer systems are of immediate and necessary attention. |
|
TOPIC: Reform How We Teach & Market OK's History
Oklahoma has the natural, historical, and recreational resources to become a major tourist destination. However, we as Oklahomans must be educated well enough about our own state to promote these resources. We must change our curriculum to begin teaching students at a young age the history of our state, and we must better advertise our natural and historical treasures. |
|
TOPIC: Ban Gifts From Lobbyists to Legislators
Oklahoma legislators are allowed to accept gifts from lobbyists while they are not in Session. These gifts should be outlawed because legislators are more likely to pass bills that a lobbyist has given them a gift in relation to. Lobbyist gifts remove honesty from the system of state government. |
|
TOPIC: Exempt Educators from Income Taxes
Oklahoma is known for its challenging board tests for becoming public educators. Oklahoma should help our educators by removing the state income tax from public educator's salaries. Educators would feel more financially secure, there would be less demand for constant pay raises, and more students would consider professional education as a career for their future. |
|
TOPIC: Improving Farming in Oklahoma
Farmers are sending up more prayers than ever, just to stay afloat in today's farming industry. Oklahoma can help its farmers with more tax breaks, particularly in the price of diesel fuel. Government assistance can be very helpful, especially right after a disaster such as a flood or ice storm. By making farming more attractive, Oklahoma could entice young farmers to pursue their dreams of farming. Giving young farmers tax cuts in expenses is also a beneficial idea to consider. |
|
TOPIC: Initiate Agri-tourism
Agri-tourism can provide Oklahoma with a new source of revenue. With an economic contribution of nearly $7 billion annually, agriculture is a strong economic force. Combined with tourism, an economic force of $3.5 billion, both avenues could serve to truly benefit Oklahomans. |
|
TOPIC: Use Campaign Funds for Helping the Needy
Oklahoma should use its election monies in a more effective manner. Instead of using millions of dollars on campaigns, money could be going to cancer research or education. Having massive amounts of money going to something more worthwhile is more meaningful in the long run. |
|
TOPIC: Use Campaign Funds for Helping the Needy
Political campaigns are supposed ti influence people to make the right decision, but lately they have become a means to generate a huge debt. The more money spent on elections means less money spent on more worthwhile endeavors. If we spent less in areas like campaigns and more in areas like education and poverty reform, Oklahoma would be a better place. |
|
TOPIC: Allow Farmers to Purchase Dies Gasoline (tax Exempt)
Oklahoman farmers are the heart and soul of America, yet their salary and benefits are nearly the worst. The cost of running and operating nearly exceeds profit every year. These hardworking individuals need help in raising food for America. A wonderful idea to serve in this capacity would be to give farmers a tax break for their farm vehicles, specifically the purchase of diesel gasoline. The died diesel law cuts the tax off of the price of diesel, and it would do the same thing for gasoline pertaining to farm vehicles only. |
|
TOPIC: Bring Back Tradition of Family Dinner Time
Families in Oklahoma can improve their lives at home by simply bringing back the tradition of family meal time. The prevailing issue with families today is the lack of communication. Gathering at the dinner table each night or even once a week doesn't cost any extra money, just a bit of effort. |
|
TOPIC: Mandatory Premarital Counseling
Divorce rates in Oklahoma are the second highest in the nation. Being unprepared for marriage is a source of this staggering divorce rate. Couples endure financial situations, having children, and personal challenges without knowing how to handle this part of life without effectively working together. By making premarital counseling mandatory, Oklahoma would be able to hire more psychologists, decrease its divorce rates, and there would be less children suffering from the divorce of their parents. |
|
TOPIC: Develop Agri-tourism
Oklahoma is sitting on an untapped resource. Oklahoma has the means to provide families across the nation with entertainment, financial, and better-living opportunities. All of these can be provided by implementing the simple concept of agri-tourism. Agri-tourism takes the natural aspects of the environment and turns them into everyday excitement for the family. Oklahoma provides many spectacular places for hunting, fishing, vineyards, and wide open spaces for exploring the outdoors. Agri-tourism would be an economic boom for the State of Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Reduce Teen Pregnancies By Improving Sex Ed
Oklahoma has nearly 11,000 teenage pregnancies each year. This statistic warrants a program for effective and strong sex education. Having a class, on an annual basis, regarding sexual education could help reduce the amount of teenage pregnancies by helping to promote safe sex. Teenagers may do what they please, but educating them about safe sex may reduce some of the cases of teenage pregnancy. Girls who are born to teenage mothers are 22% more likely to become teenage mothers themselves. Oklahoma can perhaps reduce that statistic with a strong program in sexual education. |
|
TOPIC: Provide Impoverished With Jobs
People born into poverty struggle to get their head above water and out of the hopelessness. For those that have no opportunities, Oklahoma should help those in poverty by strengthening programs to poverty-stricken persons. It is hard to have a clean appearance without money, and it is hard to earn money without a job. The cycle is never-ending. We must provide these people with basic job skills, upgrade their appearance, and monitor their progress and promote the program to help others in the same boat. If we can help Oklahoma's impoverished, then we are helping all of Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Senior Adult Mentoring Program for High School Kids
It is often said that wisdom comes from experience. In today's society, high school students are faced with decisions that could change the rest of their lives. However, with the guidance of experienced adults, decisions could be made incredibly easier. An idea to investigate would be the structuring of a Senior Adult Mentoring Students (SAMS) program. SAMS would help decrease poor decision making by educating students on issues such as drinking & driving, drug use, and sexual intercourse. SAMS would be a guiding force to helping students avoid the disasters that commonly occur with a lack of real-world experience. |
|
TOPIC: Educate Kids About Drug & Alcohol Abuse
The "Not Me Mentality" is so common in today's youth. A method should be explored in which today's youth are shown first-hand the results of alcohol, drug, and sexual involvement. Taking the kids and exposing them to these everyday situations on the street and in the jail system would have kids wanting to shy away from that lifestyle. Seeing is believing. |
|
TOPIC: Raise the Bar in the Media
Oklahoma ranks towards the top of all 50 states in low academic test scores, drug-use, teen pregnancy, divorce, and violence. I believe that many of our problems stem from poor media. There are so many dirty TV programs and movies, along with violent video games, shown to our young people. Oklahoma should try to legislate on what is marketed through the media to our young people. We cannot completely fix the media, but we can make it better and raise the ethical standards. |
|
TOPIC: Decrease Child Abuse
In 2006, Oklahoma had 1,219 confirmed cases of child abuse. People who are being abused tend to have difficulties in relationships. They subsequently feel as though they are responsible for the abuse, when in fact they are the victim. Because of the hurt that they have received, abused children will feel the need to fear others, making their relationships to others in society suffer greatly. Family life would greatly improve if Oklahoma could develop a way to drastically reduce the number of child abuse incidents. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Extreme Home Makeover
Oklahoma should develop a program called "Oklahoma: Extreme Home Makeover." This program would have people in the communities nominate deserving families in order to help rebuild homes for them. Local businesses and people in the community would be able to get involved, bringing together people from all walks of life. This would serve to also bolster efforts of community service through the efforts to build new homes for deserving people. |
|
TOPIC: Mandatory Arts Education
The state's teaching curriculum requires all high school students to have one elective course which includes: agricultural classes, home economics, athletic activities, and one foreign language course. I believe the state curriculum should also require an arts education course, which could include band, speech, debate, and art. Art courses encourage imagination and creativity, while at the same time preparing you to hear and accept criticism from others. Art courses give students the freedom to express their abilities, talents, and thoughts to others. |
|
TOPIC: Financial Assistance for Families with Kids in College
Going to college can be an expensive endeavor. Some financial assistance programs only cover one's college tuition, but what about the books, assorted fees, and living expenses? As a hopeful college student, I suggest that there be a limit as to how much a family has to pay for a college education. For example, if a family was making less than $30,000.00 annually, college would be offered to the student completely free of charge. As the family's income were higher, the cost of college would be adjusted to where they would pay a bit more than someone making less than them. |
|
TOPIC: Awareness Programs to Reduce Teenage Pregnancy
Oklahoma is rated at the very top in the nation for teenage pregnancies. Teenagers feel they are invincible, and they cannot possibly get pregnant. Abstinence and safe-sex methods are not emphasized enough to Oklahoma's teenager population. Not everyone will stop having sex, but the addressing of the problem of teenage pregnancy will cause more of Oklahoma's teenagers to think before they act. |
|
TOPIC: Limit Campaign Funding
Millions of dollars are spent each year on political elections and campaigns. The money wasted in elections could be used in better ways, such as medical research and education. Putting a limit on the amount of money one can spend in his or her campaign would have candidates of character emerge rather than just candidates of great wealth. Limiting campaign funding would encourage candidates to donate more money to more worthwhile causes, as well as open the door for more financially-modest people to run for a political office. |
|
TOPIC: Airport Upgrades
Few airports receive adequate funding for maintenance and repair. Poor looking airports will not attract pilots or airlines to establish service. Airports need more money for upkeep, and air traffic control (ATC) systems are in desperate need of retooling. Oklahoma must improve funding and ATC upgrades to its airports. The result will be safer air travel and the ability to lure more business. |
|
TOPIC: Lower Electricity Bills for Towns with Wind Turbines
The wind turbines that are used to convert wind power into energy are a great invention to help the economy. They provide a great alternative to other energy supplying methods that Oklahomans use. A method should be devised to reward those towns that decide to bring the wind turbines to their location. A proposal for perhaps a 15 percent cut on the electricity bill of any persons living within a few miles of a wind turbine would be a nice idea. While they are bothersome to live next to, and while they may dot the landscape with equipment, they serve to lower energy costs and a reward system should be developed to say "thank you" to the locations that embrace them. |
|
TOPIC: Tighten Welfare Requirements
The welfare system as we know it today is a broken and unfair system. Oklahoma has legal citizens that need welfare before those that are illegal citizens. We must tighten up the rules that welfare goes by. Money must be well-spent, and people must not be content with being on welfare. Initiative must be instilled so people will actively search for jobs and illegal aliens will actively pursue citizenship legally. Background checks on interested welfare applicants is a must. |
|
TOPIC: Eliminate Income Tax
Many states have income taxes. While the income tax has served Oklahoma well in the past, doing away with the income tax now would help the economy and its citizens thrive more. Many states that do not have an income tax (i.e. Texas) are able to lure corporations and individuals to its job base. Oklahoma has a good economic standing. It has a sales tax that provides plenty of funds for government use. Income taxes take money away from hard-working people. |
|
TOPIC: Pay Teachers a Higher Salary
In the State of Oklahoma, prices on gas, groceries, and other necessities continue to rise every year. The ability to purchase needed items becomes harder with every pay check for teachers. Without teachers, there would be no education. Simply put, teachers need a higher salary. The starting salary for a teacher in Oklahoma averages to be $31,000. When most teachers start teaching, they are also trying to pay off student loans. Oklahoma needs to find a way to keep it's best and brightest teachers from heading to greener pastures, i.e. other states that pay better teacher salaries. |
|
TOPIC: Use Empty Manufacturing Facilities As Manufacturing Schools
There are many closed-down real estate and manufacturing facilities around the region. What if the Oklahoma Department of Education developed a technical training facility in each of these abandoned sites, in the process establishing manufacturing skills for future workers of Oklahoma and America? Organizers could offer training at a reduced rate (compared with Vo-Techs) by marketing the manufacturing resources to companies all over the U.S. Potential buyers and customers would be able to have the components made at a reduced rate, thus keeping jobs in Oklahoma. It would help strengthen skills in the workforce (particularly manufacturing) that are slowly fading away. |
|
TOPIC: Businesses Donate Man Hours For Tax Breaks
When people are involved in the community, they understand the importance of bolstering the community's cohesiveness. With the implementation of a small incentive tax break for community service hours, Oklahoma would be encouraging clean, productive, and strong communities that will draw in a larger population and a better life for the ones already drawn in. Humanism can be defined as being the best that you can be, learning as much as you can, and using the things you learn by helping others. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Pride Campaign
Oklahoma has made great strides in improving its economy, its education system, and its image in relation to the nation. Now, it is time to work on the image most Oklahomans have of their own state. We should start a broad, far-reaching campaign to instill pride in the people of Oklahoma. Starting in kindergarten, and following throughout the school years, future generations can have the right attitude about our great state. Many celebrities who have roots in Oklahoma can be utilized in this campaign to instill a sense of satisfaction and pride in our own state's accomplishments. |
|
TOPIC: Universal State Spending Website or Software
The State of Oklahoma should utilize some type of software or secure website that helps the state keep track of its funds in a more responsible manner. This idea would serve towards the standard that there needs to be more discretion and accountability in government spending. Results of this proposal would include easier access and more detailed reports on spending, as well as the ability to compare budgets of specific departments to other similar departments. All of these thoughts would ensure fiscal responsibility. |
|
TOPIC: Mandate Economic Impact Statements for Legislation
Government officials have a duty to act as good stewards of all of Oklahoma's resources, including our economic environment. Legislation & administrative rule changes may originate from constituents, lobbyists, agencies, changing philosophies, or in response to tragic events. Mandating economic impact statements on all proposed legislation & proposed changes to administrative rules and regulations would serve to alleviate any uncertainty about the economic impact on approaches to changing government law and rule making. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Legacy Education Coalition
The essential factor in allowing for inspiration and innovation in Oklahoma's second century is familiarizing its current and future generation of leaders with the heritage they are a part of and how their predecessors have impacted the country through this state. The idea is to implement an Oklahoma Legacy Education Coalition (OLEC). This group, centered in the capitol, would operate to publicize Oklahoma's history in the schools and communities. Cooperation from certain companies who wish to invest time & resources into OLEC would highlight how the industry in which they are involved has impacted the state. |
|
TOPIC: A Healthier Mind & Body For Oklahoma
The State of Oklahoma needs to concentrate on the well-being of its citizens. It needs to start early by putting physical education back into schools, as well as making nutrition classes mandatory for grades K-12. The mediocre educational mindset of our children is what threatens our very future as a state. We need to change this attitude of our young people, and encourage post-secondary education. |
|
TOPIC: Road Maintenance & Parking
Roads in Oklahoma are in sad shape. Roads have been distorted due to extreme weather changes as well as wear-and-tear. Potholes & cracks in the road become more prevalent and therefore more damage is caused to vehicles. Aside from road repair, an overhaul of the traffic system is needed. Especially on the OU Campus, a reduction of daily parking tickets must be put into effect. Most students cannot afford to pay extra parking tickets on top of tuition & housing fees. No parking is available for some students because of few too spots. |
|
TOPIC: Sowing Seeds of Hope from the Heartland
A global initiative based in Oklahoma, aimed at spreading our state's agriculture and petroleum expertise to those who need it in 3rd-world & developing nations, should be considered. The program would put Oklahoma as a central player in international relations, and it would spread global understanding and relationships across the State of Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: The Oklahoma Village
The idea towards Oklahoma's internationalism is two-fold. It starts with a quality international education, and then it follows with an uplift of international awareness in the state's overall academic curriculum. "The Oklahoma Village" comes from the embracing of these facets, setting Oklahoma center-stage on the position of making itself known throughout the world. |
|
TOPIC: Add a Student Representative to All Local School Boards
Students should have a say when it comes to district school board decisions. A proposal should be considered to place organizations made up of district students on the school boards of every educational district to act as representatives of the student body. The student board groups would have the ability to take part in board meetings, debate issues, suggest ideas for consideration, and cast a vote equal to a board member's vote on decisions. |
|
TOPIC: Alternative Sentencing - Employment in Recycling Centers
Oklahoma should consider a plan to develop an alternate sentencing program that would cut down on the number of people in prison, give the incarcerated a chance to rebuild their lives, save money, and help improve the environment. Certain convicted criminals could be given a choice between prison time or a reduced term working at a recycling plant, or sorting out construction debris & materials from demolished buildings. |
|
TOPIC: Encourage Individuals to Make Healthy Choices
Oklahoma must encourage the quality of health in its state. Personal responsibility for one's own health through various initiatives is a must. We must institute programs such as food stamps that increase in value when spent on healthier products. An increased production and demand for healthier foods benefits Oklahoma's farmers and manufacturers. Physical education programs throughout the public school system should be made mandatory and they should act to promote healthy lifestyles. |
|
TOPIC: Student Savings Plans
Each student in Oklahoma should have a savings account opened during their 7th grade year. The account is secured until their high school graduation or GED equivalent. The maximum account balance would be $1,200. Before graduation, the student must pass a financial education competency test, and they can then use their monies in savings towards a qualified asset. |
|
TOPIC: Pay-It-Forward Mentor Program
The youth of Oklahoma will inherit our future. A widespread mentoring program provided to students in Oklahoma schools will be able to pair teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, and other professionals with Oklahoma's youth and thus increase the percentage of students enrolling and graduating from two and four year colleges and universities. |
|
TOPIC: Establish a Mock 911 Line for Training Purposes
An idea should be considered to develop and establish a mock number that people can call to practice or train for placing a real 911 call, in order to learn what to say to the 911 operator. The operators could also be in training and therefore this benefits them by giving them additional caller training. |
|
TOPIC: Free College Tuition for Grads Who Stay in OK
Currently, there is a low percentage of Oklahoma residents receiving a higher education. For those who do receive a higher education in Oklahoma, many leave the state for better paying jobs. The solution is to have a government-sponsored loan available to residents of all income levels who a public in-state school, with stipulations only relating to academic progress. This loan will be either partially forgiven or repaid interest-free for recipients staying in Oklahoma upon graduation and using their degree to contribute to the economy of Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: OU & OSU Establish Satelite Campuses in Rural Areas
Oklahoma should establish satellite campuses for the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University in rural areas to increase the opportunity for higher education in those areas, as well as increase Oklahoma's appeal for business opportunity. |
|
TOPIC: Increase OSDH Monitoring of Private Prisons
Private prisons in Oklahoma operate with a large portion of their monies coming from out-of-state jurisdictions. These foreign jurisdictions do not abide by the same strict health laws that Oklahoma enforces. Therefore, all private prisons housing out-of-state prisoners should undergo more rigid monitoring by the Oklahoma State Health Department. |
|
TOPIC: Require a Summer of Volunteer Service for Graduation
Oklahoma should pass a law requiring students to commit a summer of community service as a requirement of graduation. The student gains life experiences, learns the values of hard work, appreciates citizenship and volunteerism, and they achieve a sense of self-fulfillment. |
|
TOPIC: Set Up Financial Courses at Jr. High and Sr. High Schools
Finance courses should be required each year in Oklahoma's school curriculum, beginning in the middle school grades. Students must learn the benefits of saving and the bondage of debt. The bottom line is educating our students with a consistency that gives each of them the knowledge to make financially sound decisions that affect their future in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Laptops for Every School Student in Grades 7-12
The key to continuing the great tradition of Oklahoma's boldness and innovation is to be at the forefront of innovative education. Our children & teachers in the next generation need the skills & tools to remain creative and competitive. Oklahoma needs to implement a 1-to-1 laptop program based on the highly successful Maine MLTI for students in 7th through 12th grades. |
|
TOPIC: Educate for Health
Educational programs need to be put into place to teach children how the human body works, and the long term effects and benefits of eating right and proper nutrition. Teaching the importance of drinking water instead of soda or highly caffinated beverages would make a huge impact on the health of young Oklahomans. |
|
TOPIC: Give Students More Exposure to Geology
For over 100 years, Oklahoma has been noticed as a land productive for its mineral resources, natural gas, petroleum, and water. These assets could be the inspiration needed for Oklahoma to expand into the 21st century. Geology is a subject that doesn't receive a lot of attention in Oklahoma high schools. If the state were to invest into the exposure of geology, it could lead to an enhanced Oklahoma because of the state's distinct geological features and products. |
|
TOPIC: Move Extracurricular Activities After School
School days in Oklahoma could be used more wisely. Instead of having athletics and extracurricular activities held during the school day, these events should be moved and held after school. The time during a school day should be used for academics, not athletics or extracurricular events. |
|
TOPIC: Promote Oklahoma
Just as election officials spend millions of dollars for election campaigns, there should be a sizeable amount of money spent on a campaign for the betterment of Oklahoma. A campaign as such would include the involvement of individuals from all major businesses and local groups (i.e. Kiwanis, Elks, Rotary, Lions, etc.). Much brainstorming and planning can be done without actually having to meet in person. Positive slogans and emblems would easily be recognized as a group effort across Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Mulit-faceted Saltwater Aquarium Complex
A multifaceted aquarium should be considered to be constructed in several levels by the Myriad Gardens or the Canadian River Project, containing a large (possibly circular) base with a descending external walkway and smaller tanks outlining the outside of the walls. Every tank would contain information on the species residing in the aquarium. Volunteers would be available to provide education of the visitors and some supervision & school programs could be developed. |
|
TOPIC: Require 1440 Hours of Foreign Language K-12
The State of Oklahoma should put into effect a plan to increase foreign language presence in today's curriculum to a total of 1,440 hours of a foreign language from the time they enter kindergarten to the moment they walk across the graduation stage. This is easily split up, year by year, to make the process simple, time-efficient and effective at exposing children at a young age. |
|
TOPIC: Citizen Excellence Scholarship
Oklahoma students need to be recognized for being above average citizens. The State of Oklahoma should provide a "Citizen Excellence" scholarship that is open to any student regardless of income or test scores. The student must meet a high standard of citizenship to qualify for this scholarship. |
|
TOPIC: Monthly Town Hall Meetings in Each House District
The solution to the apathy and cynicism that is evident towards the national and state government is simple, and it should prove very effective. Each Oklahoma House District should hold open, monthly "town" style meetings in which ordinary citizens can voice their concerns and offer solutions to the state's problems. |
|
TOPIC: Revitalize Rural Oklahoma
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture definition of "rural" classifies 50 of Oklahoma's 77 counties as "rural." Historically, established rural development priorities have ignored local priorities and small businesses. Developing the leadership of our rural communities represents a crucial part of building sustainable communities. |
|
TOPIC: Tax Equality
Families within a set income tax bracket should receive a tax credit while their student attends a college of university in the State of Oklahoma; tuition rates continue to rise to an all-time high, and many efforts have been made by Oklahomans to curb that trend in the Sooner State. A great way to pay for education is to create an equal tax dependant upon income that would help to hold everyone responsible for education. In essence, a tax reform measure would tie into the funding of education. |
|
TOPIC: Promote Families and Marriage
The augmentation of strong, resilient family relationships throughout Oklahoma will consequently reduce dropout, abuse, crime, and teen pregnancy rates...all factors that cause negative consequences for individual Oklahomans and the State of Oklahoma as a whole. Diminution of these factors will result in additional state funds and time to be spent improving Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Internships For Oklahomans Attending School Out of State
If college students from Oklahoma choose to go out of state to school, there needs to be a system to get them back to Oklahoma after their graduation. I variety of PAID internships is a strong possibility to lure these people back, along with the possibility of good paying jobs. Internships in other states can afford to lure its best & brightest back to their home states. Can Oklahoma bring its best & brightest back to Oklahoma? |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Recruitment Program
The Oklahoma Recruitment Program encourages current Oklahoma residents to stay in Oklahoma, and at the same time, this program builds relationships with businesses to recruit them to come to Oklahoma to supply jobs for educated and skilled people. Current residents will have more opportunities to have the job they want, and out-of-state professionals will show more interest in living in Oklahoma. |
|
TOPIC: Oklahoma Cord Volunteer Program
The Oklahoma Cord Volunteer Service Program would encourage volunteerism and community service by youth, by recognizing students each year who have made significant contributions to the community through their service. Documentation would be in the form of both a logbook and a scrapbook which would include pictures and newspaper articles where it would be possible to verify the activities. |
|
TOPIC: Establish the Oklahoma Humanity Center
The Humanity Center, as it would be known, will come to represent the various religions of human civilization, consisting of daily and weekly services to the local poor and the needy. In a world where religious differences have come to play such a negative role in our lives, the Oklahoma Humanity Center can be a beacon for hope and peace. |
|
TOPIC: Reimburesment for Dietetic Services
Oklahoma state legislators should work together to form policy surrounding reimbursement for dietetic services. With this push towards socialized medicine, Oklahoma may eventually have the handle the burden of health care costs. To have prevention measures already in place could make the difference in the financial security of our state. |
|
TOPIC: Provide Free Health Care For Oklahoma College Students
Every college student in Oklahoma should be afforded free healthcare services. Providing health insurance for Oklahoma college students is a great idea for Oklahoma in that it keeps college students in the state as well as it keeps Oklahoma college students healthy. |
|
TOPIC: Add Consumer Math to List of Required Math Courses
Consumer mathematics should be added to the list of qualified subjects for the three required math credits for high school graduation. Typically, this could/would substitute for Algebra II. Included in this subject would be: Budgeting, Retirement Savings, How to fill out a W-2, How to balance a checkbook, How to invest in the stock market, How to keep out of credit card debt, Compound Interest, How to save for college expenses, Mortgages, Insurance, & How to spot fraud. |
|
TOPIC: Nutrition/Health Classes in Primary Schools
Oklahomans have the infamous title of being in the "Top Ten Fattest States" in America. Over 60% of Oklahomans are overweight or obese. Education for obesity and nutrition is vital to curbing the problem. Confronting the problem of obesity also requires actions of practice by adults. Kids watch what adults do, and if adults are eating everything in sight, kids will follow suit. |
|
TOPIC: Establish a Leadership School
Oklahoma's future should include a leadership school dedicated to the betterment and development of underprivileged, homeless, and foster children. A school is an excellent institution for future leaders to advance their leadership abilities and develop strong qualities and characteristics, while simultaneously gaining confidence and pride in performance. |
|
TOPIC: Life Skills Training for Pregnant Mothers
Many new parents take their children home from the hospital with little or no training on how to be a good parent, soon becoming frustrated and depressed. Training should be available during the mother's pregnancy similar to or in conjunction with labor and childbirth classes so the parents would know what to do when they get home with the newborn child. |
|
TOPIC: Incentives for K-12 Students to Accomplish Goals
Oklahoma should institute a new program that would inspire students outside of the classroom to achieve inside the classroom. Such a program would serve as an incentive for students to make learning a fun and exciting thing to do. This program would extend the classroom to community organizations, sports teams, music organizations, and other youth programs. |
|
TOPIC: Place Solar Panels in the Polar Regions
The sun is one of our most abundant and free energy sources. Putting solar panels at the polar caps (where most of the sun rays are unpolluted), will capture more of the sun's pure energy, unpolluted by human civilization. |
