“Memorial Day travel experienced a gain of more than 14 percent in 2010, and this year we expect to add slightly to that gain due to an increase in air travel and an improvement in the overall domestic economic picture,” said Brad Roeber, AAA regional president. “Some travelers will compensate for the higher fuel costs […]
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Embarrassing loopholes
The bill’s many loopholes and missing safeguards make it embarrassing. Here’s how it works: The bill authorizes $3.5 million of lucrative tax credits, which are employed as a fundraising incentive to subsidize a $10 million dollar scholarship fund for K-12 private school students only. This perpetual “earmark” continues even if state revenues decline. Even if, […]
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Living arrangement
The Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust at its April 26 meeting gave the green light for Level Urban Apartments, located at Northeast Second Street and Oklahoma Avenue, to receive $1.25 million in tax increment finance district money for development. However, the developer, Center City Development LLC, will not receive the money until it has completed […]
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Counterpoint: Fallin ‘should be praised’
The legislation intended to set up a state health care insurance exchange facilitated by a $54 million “early innovator” grant from the federal Affordable Care Act, referred to by opponents as “Obamacare.” Once the bill arrived in the Senate, Steele and Fallin were both surprised when Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman said the Senate […]
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Slow burn
Similar to the local Fraternal Order of Police contract approved in December, it keeps in place most provisions from the previous year’s contract. However, it increases the city’s insurance contribution from $9,500 to $10,540 per employee participating in IAFF’s health and welfare benefits plans. The cost of the contract, which expires June 30, is approximately […]
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Passing the gavel
State Superintendent Sandy Garrett took the gavel one last time on Dec. 16 as she chaired her final regular state Board of Education meeting. After two decades at the post, Garrett, who did not run for reelection, is retiring in January, when Superintendent-elect Janet Barresi will be sworn into office. “Certainly, it has really been […]