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July 6, 2008

Politics

Edmondson to speak to Democrats

Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson will be the featured speaker at the Tyner Cornbread and Beans luncheon, sponsored by the Cleveland County Democrats, Friday at StepBrothers restaurant, 423 S. Webster Ave.

Edmondson was elected attorney general in 1994 and has won reelection three times with more than 60 percent of the vote. He received more votes than any other candidate for office on the 2002 statewide ballot.

In 1996, Edmondson filed suit against the tobacco industry resulting in a $2 billion award for Oklahoma. In 2005, he also filed suit on behalf of the state against more than a dozen poultry companies alleging the pollution of the Illinois River Watershed.

In 2002-2003, he served as president of the National Association of Attorneys General and in 2005 received that organization's highest honor, the Kelley-Wyman award. Recently, the Oklahoma District Attorneys honored Edmondson with its highest award, the "Home Run Hitter."?

Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. with the speaker beginning about noon. Cornbread and beans are $5 including tea and gratuity, or attendees may order from the menu. The meeting is open to the public.

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Interim studies announced

State Rep. Wallace Collins, D-Norman, has announced the interim studies he will conduct before the next legislative session starts in February. Collins requested seven issues to be studied: School bus safety; fuel efficient vehicles for street use; conditions at Griffin Memorial Hospital; a light rail system for Oklahoma; annualizing pay raises for state workers; problems with the Fire Fighters Pension Plan; and a cost/benefit analysis on autism.

Collins said he was pleased to have permission to conduct three of the seven studies. The approved studies are fuel efficient vehicles, conditions at Griffin Memorial Hospital and the cost/benefit analysis on autism.

Collins is a member of the Economic Development Committee, where the "Nick's Law" autism bill failed to receive a hearing. "I believe this problem needs to be aired publicly, and the parents and others involved should have the opportunity to tell how they are affected," he said.

With regard to the study on Griffin, Collins said he knows most of the buildings are old, and the heating and air conditioning systems need updating. The state needs to consider whether to upgrade the buildings or consider new facilities, and employee pay and other conditions also need to be looked at, he said.

The study on allowing certain vehicles commonly known as ATVs will be undertaken this summer.

-- Transcript Staff

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