Governor Henry says Free File is an innovative public-private partnership between the Oklahoma Tax Commission and the Computer and Communications Industry Association.

It “helps the citizens of Oklahoma save money in particular working Oklahomans, and I’m proud to say the majority of those that serve and make such great sacrifices on our behalf serving in the military.”

Besides the military, filing is free to all students and seniors as well as Oklahomans under a certain income level.

To get started and find out if you qualify, just go to www.tax.ok.gov and click on e-file.

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When talks begin, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee says he wants the focus to be on protecting the infrastructure of the state.

“So that when revenues increase in the future we haven’t wiped out providers or facilities that might not be there later.”

As, for Tuesday’s news that the state saw a slight increase in revenue over estimates for the first time since 2008, isn’t necessarily cause for celebration as lawmakers still have to deal with a $1.2 billion shortfall.

He says any extra money that comes in over the next fiscal year will be placed in the rainy day fund and could be used as supplemental money during the 2011 session.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Chris Benge says a better picture of the budget could be released in the next two to three weeks.

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SB 3028 is moving to the State House after a bipartisan 33 to 11 vote.

During debate, Democratic Senator Earl Garrison of Muskogee opposed the measure saying because of the shortfall the timing isn’t right.

“Unless we can find some other source of funding for our towns and cities, I think what we’re doing is cutting the throat of our cities and towns.”

But, the author of the bill, Democratic Senator Jay Paul Gumm of Durant says the timing doesn’t matter, because he will push this bill till it gets to the Governor’s desk.

“I will be back next year with it. And, I will be back the year after that with it. And, I will be back the year after that with it until it passes because I believe strongly that as a matter of policy we should not be taxing groceries.”

If the governor signs the bill, the tax cut wouldn’t go into effect until revenue collections return to pre-recession levels.

The cost for the elimination of grocery tax is estimated at $406 million.

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The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission reported Wednesday
that Oklahoma’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 6.8
percent in December.

Oklahoma’s rate has either remained the same or improved slightly since peaking at 6.9 percent in August.

The rate still trails the January 2009 rate of 5 percent, but is 3 percentage points better than the current national rate of 9.7 percent.

The trade, transportation and utilities sector saw the most growth, with a net increase of 1,000 jobs fueled by increases in retail trade jobs.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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The bill by Sen. James Halligan increases the requirement from three to four years of math. An amendment was added that would add a requirement for an additional year of government history and civics.

Halligan, the former president of Oklahoma State University, says students are graduating from high school unprepared for college or the work force because of a lack of math skills.

The bill drew heated debate from opponents who argued the increased math requirement would be an obstacle for students with no plans to attend college.

The measure passed 33-13 and now heads to the House.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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Sen. Anthony Sykes’ bill initially required the Department of Human Services to set up drug testing for applicants to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

The bill was amended Wednesday in the state Senate to expand drug testing to include state elected officials and top executives of any Oklahoma company that receives state tax breaks.

Both amendments were adopted without dissension and the bill passed 44-0.

The bill now heads to the House and must return to the Senate for another vote.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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Sixteen seniors read from original pieces in front of five judges including Etan Thomas a center for the Thunder.

17-year-old Kelsey Swalwell stood before her peers, parents and judges reading a piece she calls “Busy Bs”.

The senior at Classen School of Advanced studies took first prize at the contest for her piece winning a $500 scholarship.

Kelsey says the poem came to her during one of the many snow days as she thought about the stresses she and her classmates are facing their final year in high school.

“All the OSSAA and FAFSA and all the very important things that have to be done right away your senior year, I just wanted it to be something everybody could kind of relate to.”

One of the judges, Lauren Zuniga, competes in poetry slam competitions and is co-director of the Oklahoma Young Writers Collective and says this allows kids to express their feelings without turning to unhealthy activities.

She says she didn’t have poetry slams in high school when she was influenced by drugs and alcohol.

“I think if I’d had a productive way to express myself then that probably could have been avoided, and I was able to kind of get out of that afterwards when I discovered slam. I think that this is a healthy way to express.”

Lauren is hoping to get together a team of young people to take part in HBO’s competition called “Brave New Voices” in Los Angeles.

The star of the evening was hard to miss.

Standing at six foot ten, Etan Thomas the center out of Syracuse isn’t what most people think about when they hear the terms published poet and writer.

“It’s something I’ve kind of been passionate about since I was in high school. It’s something I’ve always done. I was in speech and debate when I was in high school, and I know it was kind of weird for people to see that too. It’s something that’s just always been a passion of mine.”

Thomas says the kids in the competition did a great job expressing their feelings.

He says this gives them a chance to be creative.

“Whatever it is that they feel passionate about just write about it. Everybody’s going to have different things that they feel passionate about. But, don’t be afraid to express it. That’s what poetry is, it’s all about expression. Whatever’s inside you. I would just encourage them to do it.”

He says these young people face pressure from all sides and even those he calls “haters”: People who try to stop them from doing what they want to do.

Two others won runner-up prizes with $250 scholarships: Medina Iskandarova of Dove Science Academy and Tiffany Johnson from Northeast Academy.

All three winners will be recognized Friday night on the court at the Ford Center before the game against the New Jersey Nets.

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SB 1908 which passed the State Senate 30 to 14 allows police to give a $100 ticket for any activity which causes distractions.

Republican Senator Anthony Sykes of Newcastle says his bill does have restrictions for law enforcement.

“It’s not a predicate stop meaning that they can’t stop you just because they see you texting. You have to do something else like go left of center or something like that and you will get two tickets instead of one.”

But, Democratic Senator Johnnie Crutchfield of Ardmore worries future lawmakers can remove that section allowing law enforcement to pull over drivers when they are witnessed eating or applying make-up.

“I see us giving communities the next boondoggle for adding to the city coffers.”

The measure would not apply to any law enforcement, fire or medical personnel.

The bill now heads to the State House.

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House Bill 3380 creates the Oklahoma Methamphetamine Offender Registry Act similar to the sex offender registry.

Representative Randy Terrill says this affects individuals convicted of possession, distribution, manufacturing or trafficking meth.

“To affirmatively register with the bureau of narcotics to disclose their identity, and thereafter they would be prohibited from purchasing or possessing pseudoephedrine related products.”

The Moore Republican says offenders who don’t register could face up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

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More than $1,000 is going into a reward for information on the attack of Frederick Douglas High School Principal Brian Staples.

Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty says this happened last Tuesday as Doctor Staples was walking to his car.

“The individual was actually sitting on the curb outside his car, and, basically made a few comments to him and attacked him with some form of club.”

Chief Citty says evidence points to the assault being planned rather than a random attack.

Four lawmakers held a press conference to condemn the attack and announce the reward.

The Superintendent of Oklahoma City Schools says Doctor Staples is recovering and back to work, but he’s worried that there’s someone out there who is willing to violate the safety of the school.

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