COMANCHE COUNTY DEMOCRAT

SENATE REVIEW by Senator Randy Bass

We all know Fort Sill is to the economy of Lawton, and to surrounding communities like Cache. With a strong partnership between the base, municipal, and state entities, we can continue to ensure that this vital component. of out local and state economy will continue to thrive and grow for many years to come.

After the latest round of BRAC hearings, the news was excellent for Fort Sill, which is expanding as a result of the excellent job everyone there isalready doing. That expansion means an additional 10,000 military personnel and family members will be moving into our area—great news for economic development, but it also means we have to enable majorinfrastructure development as well, including a new school and other facilities to meet this significant population influx.

This past week, I was successful in passing Senate Bill 751, which creates the "Military Base Protection and Expansion Incentive Act." The measure authorizes the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority to provide funding for capital projects in the form of loans and lease purchase agreements if a school or municipality certifies that it has the ability to repay those funds.

That same piece of legislation also contains language to assist another important part of our local economy—the Goodyear plant. In 2002 the Legislature approved a bill to allow Goodyear to receive state funds in connection with the retooling or modernizing of their facility. The resulting projects are about 90 percent finished. This bill will should they need a little more time to meet the requirements established in the original bill.

In our quest to create more jobs for our citizens, we must first look at our existing employers and see whether there is anything we can do in in Terms of public policy that will enable them not only to survive, but to thrive and expand. I believe my legislation does just that for two of our areas largest employers. Senate Bill 751 now moves over to the House of Representatives where it will be assigned to a committee for a vote.

As always if you have a question about a legislative matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (405) 521-5567 or by email at bass@oksenate.gov.

BASS IDENTITY THEFT LAW APPROVED BY PANELS

Editor: This information is provided by Jack Wellborn, AARP Voluteer Specialist.

Pair of Measures by Senator Bass Strengthen Identity Theft Laws in Oklahoma

Both bills receive approval by Senate panels on Wednesday

OKLAHOMA CITY – Building on the momentum of last year’s historic identity theft bill that allows Oklahomans to freeze their credit if their identity has been stolen, Lawton Senator Randy Bass has authored a pair of measures to strengthen the law already on the books.  Both measure received bi-partisan support today in Senate committees and move to the senate floor for consideration by all 48 members. 

“Identity theft is a growing concern for all Oklahomans, especially among our greatest generation—our senior citizens,” Bass said.  “The bills that passed today go to great lengths to strengthen the bill I authored last year and will ensure we are doing everything we can to protect our families from this devastating crime.”

Bass said SB 946 further defines identity theft as a consumer law thus giving the Attorney General’s office the authority to investigate cases of stolen identity, making it easier for criminals to be prosecuted.  SB 567 will allow victims of identity theft to request a copy of an incident report in their home jurisdiction rather than where the crime originally occurred.

“I had a constituent who had to sit in jail for three hours and pay close to 200 dollars to get their car out of impoundment because he could not prove he was indeed a victim of identity theft,” Bass said.  “That is just not right, and I believe these bills will stop that sort of nonsense from happening again.”

Bass said protecting Oklahoma consumers should not be a partisan issue and applauded the members of the Senate for laying aside partisan differences to pass his bill out of committee.

“All Oklahomans deserve identity theft laws that are tough on crime and smart for Oklahoma consumers.  These measures build on the strengths of last year’s identity theft law and send a message to Oklahomans that we are serious about protecting our citizens from the financial devastation that often comes with identity theft.”

SOLDIERS BATTLING CUSTODY

Monday, February 5, 2007 Posted 10:34 p.m. (CDT)

Oklahoma Senator Randy Bass has filed a bill that would prevent judges from ruling on custody cases while a parent is deployed with the military.

Bass, of Lawton, filed the bill to help protect the rights of soldiers serving overseas.

However, the bill might not be able to help one Oklahoma soldier involved in a custody battle.

Army Specialist David Knight, who is deployed to Iraq, is trying to maintain custody of his 12-year-old daughter.

Knight was awarded custody of his daughter in 1997.  He appointed his parents as her guardian during his deployment.

Last year, Knight's ex-wife, Clarissa Stephens asked for custody of their child.

A Payne County judge granted a motion, however rescinded it when he learned of Knight's deployment.

Stephens petitioned the courts again and now has another hearing scheduled later this week.

Knight's attorneys feel the case could set a precedent that would endanger the rights of deployed soldiers.

$65M SOUGHT FOR GROWTH AT SILL

EDITOR: THIS ARTICLE APPEARD IN THE ARMY TIMES:

The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jan 26, 2007 13:16:07 EST
   
OKLAHOMA CITY — A state senator from Lawton plans to ask for $65 million in state money to be used to help Lawton and Fort Sill brace for expected growth at the Army post.

How that money will be generated is yet to be determined, said state Sen. Randy Bass, D-Lawton. But he said that Lawton is expected to grow by about 10,000 people during the next four years because the Army plans to expand Fort Sill, and that influx will strain the city’s infrastructure unless improvements are made.

The expansion is because of plans developed by the federal Base Closure and Realignment commission.

It will nearly double the number of people on the southwestern Oklahoma post. About 9,000 military personnel are currently assigned to the post, although only 4,600 are there at a time, on average. The post also employs about 6,000 civilians.

Bass said about 4,000 new students, most of them elementary age, are expected to enroll in Lawton schools, which would equate to a 20 percent growth in the school system.

Bass said the federal government hasn’t offered any financial assistance and that the city and local school district do not have the ability to raise enough money in a short period of time to pay for the necessary improvements.

Ideas for state funding include a bond issue or a low-interest loan-grant program, Bass said, with the city and school district possibly paying back some or all of the money over a number of years.

“This was brought onto Lawton, Oklahoma, because of BRAC,” Bass said. “We’re all happy that we have this problem, but we also need a little bit of help.”

The proposal will be included in Senate Bill 759.

SENATE REVIEW by Senator Randy Bass

Even though the 2007 Legislative session will not formally begin for several more weeks, preparation is well underway and in fact has been going on for the past several months.

Once the regular session ends at the end of May, many lawmakers turn their attention to issues that are on the horizon for the next year's session. Many of these issues can be complicated and require in-depth studies. For that reason, members may request interim studies on a particular topic. Generally, meetings examining these issues begin anywhere from the summer to the early fall and generally conclude before the end of the year. Often, the interim study committee will prepare a final report summarizing what has been learned in those meetings and what recommendations they may have for changes to existing law or for a new law to address the problems they've identified.

The first hard deadline Senators must meet in the legislative process is December 8, 2006. When members want to write a bill proposing a new law or a change one already on the books, they work with staff members to put that proposal into bill form and determine which part of state statutes that measure would deal with. December 8 is our deadline for making such requests.

Our next important date will be January 2,2007. In sessions that follow an election cycle, the State Constitution gives us one organizational day in January to elect the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and to adopt the rules by which we will operate for the rest of the session. That will occur on January 2.

The next import date is January 18, 2007. That is the deadline for filing all the bills a member has previously requested. Any bills that are not filed by that deadline will not be heard during the upcoming session.

Finally, the actual 2007 Legislative session will formally begin on February 5,2007. For the next several weeks, we will then meet a series of deadlines for moving bills through the committee* process, onto the floor for full consideration by our chamber, and then face additional deadlines to move those same measures through an identical process in the House of Representatives. By law, we must conclude the 2007 session by no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, May 25th.

If you would like to learn more about our legislative calendar, or read bills that will be filed in the coming weeks, go to www.oksenate.gov and follow the links for schedules, legislation, or any other area that may interest you.

As always if you have a question about a legislative matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (405) 521-5567 or by email at bass@oksenate.gov.

SENATE REVIEW by Senator Randy Bass

Nationally, about 27.2 percent of Americans have bachelor's degree. Here in Oklahoma, 22.4 percent of our citizens are college graduates. Closing that gap will greatly increase salaries in the state. Over a lifetime, those with college degrees earn about $ 1 million more than those who have only completed high school. It is no coincidence that the states with the highest per capita incomes also have the highest numbers of college graduates.

SENATE REVIEW by Senator Randy Bass

Oklahoma has won national acclaim for our efforts to make early childhood education more widely available, including kindergarten for 4-year-olds and all day kindergarten for 5-year-olds.

In recent years, there has been increasing support across the nation for quality early childhood programs. As we learn more about the importance of such programs for brain development in babies and toddlers, we have seen that such efforts better prepare children for success in school and throughout their lives.

This past session, I had the privilege of supporting legislation calling for a private/public partnership to further enhance Oklahoma's early childhood education, with a pilot project that would begin even earlier, helping children from birth to 3. The proposal called for an investment of $5 million state dollars to be matched by $ 10 in private donations.

The pilot program has been approved by the State Department of Education and will expand the availability of a comprehensive program known as Early Head Start. This program targets a wide-range of areas from children's development, including health, cognitive and language development to family development, including parenting, home environment, family health, parent involvement and economic self-sufficiency.

Currently, there are an estimated 35,000 Oklahoma children ages birth to three living at or below the federal poverty level. Even though they're all eligible for Early Head Start, there are only 844 federally funded slots available in the entire state, and federal funds are declining. This pilot program will increase the total number of funded slots in Oklahoma by 17 percent and will improve the quality of 61 percent of the existing slots. It is my hope that future legislators will build on this pilot program and continue to increase the availability of Early Head Start.

When we ensure more Oklahoma children are better prepared for school, we are helping give them the tools to succeed in elementary school on through high school. Those children will then have the academic skills necessary to go on to college or pursue a degree through a career-tech center. Not only are they going to have the educational background needed to go after high paying jobs, having a more educated workforce will attract new businesses that offer those higher salaries. Quality early childhood development programs not only enhance that child's life—

ultimately, it will help us attract more jobs and industry to our state. It truly is a win-win investment for Oklahoma.

As always if you have a question about a legislative matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (405) 521 -5567 or by email at bass@oksenate.gov.

SENATE REVIEW by Senator Randy Bass

In 2005,166 Oklahomans lost their lives in car wrecks in which alcohol or drugs were a factor. Another 4,066 people were injured. The largest percentage of these accidents involved drivers between the ages of 21 to 25. The next largest percentage is drivers between the ages of 16 to 20.

This past week, the State Attorney General kicked off a public-awareness campaign to try to keep alcohol out of the hands of those who are too young to drink. The AG pointed to a study that said 65 percent of the time, minors are getting alcohol from family and friends.

Maybe it's an older brother or sister or even a parent. It could be a friend who is just old enough to legally purchase alcohol. But the bottom line is, not only is it irresponsible to give alcohol to anyone younger than 21—it's also illegal.

While the Attorney General announced they were trying to raise awareness about this problem, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol also announced the start of a national program to discourage people from drinking and driving. As part of the "Over the Limit, Under Arrest? program which runs through September 4, troopers will be setting up check points and increasing patrols.

The timing for this is two-fold. Labor Day is coming up and for many people, it is a last chance to go to the lake or have summer parties, and often these celebrations involve alcohol. It's also the end of summer break for college and high school students and often those kids want to celebrate with alcohol. Whether you are a minor or an adult—it is illegal to drink and drive and the consequences can literally destroy lives.

This past session, we approved legislation to crack down on underage drinking and driving, and on those who enable it. But the best thing anyone can do is ensure they aren't a part of the problem to begin with. It's pretty simple. Don't drink and drive, and don't ever give alcohol taminors. If you do, one way or another, you'll probably end up paying a heavy price.

As always if you have a question about a legislative matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (405) 521-5567 or by email at bass@,oksenate. gov.

SENATE REVIEW by Senator Randy Bass

Until 1989, legislative sessions began in January and then usually concluded in June. That year, a Constitutional amendment was approved which shortened the session by almost two months, requiring the Legislature to convene in February and adjourn sine die by 5 p.m. on the last Friday in May.

While the aim of this amendment was to create a more efficient time-table for settling everything from substantive issues to the state budget, losing those two months made it extremely difficult to tackle some of the more complex issues that came before us.

That's why interim studies have become an increasingly important tool to help us thoroughly examine an issue before the committee process even begins in February. Through interim studies, lawmakers can hold a series of hearings, bringing in experts to testify on an issue and have public input as well, in order to give lawmakers the most comprehensive view possible.

One of the most important issues facing our state is strengthening the actuarial soundness of the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System. In the past few years we have passed legislation that has helped, yet the system still needs further examination to determine the best method for developing a long-term and lasting solution. This is one of the many interim studies that has been approved for 2006. Along with decreasing the unfunded liability of the teacher's retirement system, the study will also examine a proposal to raise the annually assumed cost of living increase for retired teachers by 2 percent.

Several other topics have been approved for interim studies as well. For example, with more miles of shoreline than any state, boating and other water sports are an important activity and tourist attraction for Oklahoma. One study will look at boating safety issues and how we can ensure safety while encouraging people to enjoy our many lakes and waterways.

Another study will examine the current accounting system for both Higher and Common Education, while another will consider potential ways to enhance municipal revenue streams. Other panels will examine issues related to corrections, county roads, worker training programs and more.

During the course of these studies, lawmakers may identify possible statutory changes that could help address some of the concerns raised by these panels. That legislation will then be considered with the Legislature convenes for the 2007 session.

As always if you have a question about a legislative matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (405) 521-5567 or by email at bass@oksenate.gov.

SENATE IN REVIEW by Senator Randy Bass

TEEN AGE DRIVERS

If you ask 14 and 15-year-olds what they're looking forward to the most, I'm sure the majority would say it's getting their driver's license. It represents freedom and the opportunity for new experiences. But for parents, it can mean a lot of stress and worry about the safety of their teenagers as they get behind the wheel—that worry is for good reason. The less experience a driver has, the higher the risk for being involved in an accident.

In 2005 we approved legislation to help ensure young drivers would have more experience before having complete reign of the road. Just last week, a new study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave proof that this law will help save lives in Oklahoma. According to the report, graduated drivers license programs can reduce fatal crashes of 16-year-old drivers by an average of 11percent, and in some states by as much as 20 percent.

Under Oklahoma's law, new drivers under the age of 18 are required to have a graduated driver's license, which limits the number and age of passengers allowed in a vehicle with a teen driver. It also restricts when young drivers can be on the road. Students can drive themselves only between the hours of 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., with exceptions for school, work, church and other specified events. They can only have one passenger in the car under the age of 21. hi addition, they must have a learner's permit for six months before they can get their license.

Although many teenagers expressed frustration with the new requirements when they were first introduced, the bottom line is those restrictions are there to help them focus on the road and avoid accidents. Young

drivers who are busy talking to a car-load of friends are probably not paying close enough attention to the road. That's certainly true of any driver, but it is especially true of young, inexperienced drivers.

And here's another fact to keep in mind—a new AAA study says the number of fatality crashes involving teen drivers is much higher during July and August, when kids are out of school. As a legislator and as a father, I want Oklahoma's young people to enjoy their summer, but to be safe so that they'll be back in school in the fall, instead of becoming a statistic—that's why having a graduated driver's license law is so important for our state.

As always if you have a question about a legislative matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (405) 521-5567 or by email at bass@oksenate.gov.

SENATE IN REVIEW by Senator Randy Bass

When people talk about drug abuse, many of us may think in terms of drugs like meth. We've passed landmark legislation in our state to deal with that toxic drug, but the overall drug abuse problem in Oklahoma is actually far bigger than just meth. It is estimated that prescription drug abuse affects an estimated 87,000 Oklahomans who are addicted to these "legal" drugs. According to the White House, it is the second worst drug problem in the country, with marijuana coming in first. It's also a problem that is getting worse, both nationally and right here in our state. Last year, there were 522 prescription-related deaths in Oklahoma. That's up from 268 in 2000.If you think you aren't impacted by this, think again. Not only do those individuals abusing prescription drugs puttheir own health and well-being at risk, they're putting yours at risk as well. Many get behind the wheel and are involved in serious accidents while under the influence of prescription drugs. They also represent a drain on our already strained medical system, particularly in emergency rooms where they fake symptoms trying to get new prescriptions to feed their addiction.Fortunately, the Senate produced legislation in 2004 that was passed by both chambers and signed into law to create a tracking system to help us reduce prescription drug abuse in Oklahoma. The federal funding is available, the work creating the system has been done, and now that program is available in Oklahoma.It's called CONTROL, which stands for Comprehensive Oklahoma Narcotic Tracking and Regulation On Line, which will let doctors and pharmacists check to see if a person has been "doctor shopping" to obtain prescriptions. The program will be administered by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, which will then track those cases where substances abusers are attempting to fraudulently acquire prescription drugs. I believe this program represents an important step in our effort to fight drug abuse in Oklahoma, and that's going to help make this a safer state for all of us to live and to raise our families. As always if you have a question about a legislative matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (405) 52it 5567 or by email at bass@,oksenate.gov.

SENATE REVIEW - by Senator Randy Bass

I am very pleased with the outcome of the final agreements regarding the budget, and how it will benefit working Oklahomans in every part of the state. I believe the end result will enable us to make key investments in areas such as education and transportation while still enabling us to provide tax reform that will result in relief for middle class families and individuals.

Since early in the session, Senate Leadership has advocated a $3,000 raise for Oklahoma teachers, while the House called for lower amounts. In the agreement reached last week, teachers will indeed receive a $3,000 raise— this is critical as we work to stop the brain drain of Oklahoma's best and brightest teachers who are being lured away by other states offering higher salaries. The agreement also includes an additional $130 million for Oklahoma's colleges and universities.

Our state employees are also among the best in the nation, yet they are compensated at far too low a rate. While the plan the House had originally backed left state employees out of the budget mix, the Senate has continued to fight to ensure they would not be forgotten this year. In the end, we were successful in securing a 5 percent pay increase for these men and women. The agreement also includes funding to hire 100 new child welfare workers for the Department of Human Services.

Key to the final agreement of course was ensuring working Oklahomans, not just the rich, benefited from any proposed tax cuts. I believe we accomplished that in this final package, with a plan to reduce the state's income tax from 6.25 to 5.25 while increasing the state income tax standard deduction to the federal level over the next four years. The agreement also calls for the state's estate tax to be completely phased out over a period of three years. The budget is the most important task we as lawmakers are responsible for, because ultimately, it impacts every single man, woman and child in this state. That is why it is so important to consider not just the immediate picture, but how these decisions can impact Oklahoma in the years to come. I believe this final agreement takes both into account.

As always if you have a question about a legislative matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (405) 521-5567 or by email at bass@oksenate.gov.

SENATE REVIEW by Senator Randy Bass

It seems hard to believe that we are nearly at the end of the 2006 Legislative session. In these final weeks, much of our attention will be focused on writing and passing a balanced budget. While the federal government can engage in deficit spending, which means spending more than they actually have, Oklahoma has a ' Constitutional prohibition against appropriating more money than we actually have available. That safeguard is an important one and helps keep our state strong throughout varying economic cycles.

There have been numerous bills I've been very proud to help pass this session—while some. have been approved by both chambers, others have not. One bill we approved early in the session and was signed into law by Governor Brad Henry was legislation making it illegal to protest at funerals. As you recall, there had been several funerals of soldiers in Oklahoma mat a hate group picketed. This is an insult to our heroes and to their families and friends who deserve the right to mourn in dignity.

I'm proud of our strong, bipartisan votes in the Senate to

give Oklahoma teachers a $3000 pay raise. We also voted to give retired teachers and retired public employees their first health benefits increase in six years. So far, the House has not joined us in approving these measures—but I believe these are critical and should be passed.

I'm very proud of the legislation we approved in honor of Caitlin Wooten, an Ada teenager murdered by her mother's former boyfriend. He'd already kidnapped and threatened Caitlin's mother when he was released after spending just a few hours behind bars for that crime—then he went after Caitlin. This legislation will strengthen bail laws by requiring those charged with the violent crime of kidnapping to prove they are not a public danger before they can post bail.

I am also extremely proud of my legislation that would have allowed identity theft victims to freeze their credit at no cost to the victim. This legislation, however, was virtually gutted on the House side with language that would require those victims to pay to freeze their credit. I strongly disagree with that change. Those who have been

victims of identity theft should not be further penalized with needless red-tape and expenses. I will continue to fight to make sure they have this additional protection from further exploitation.

As always if you have a question about a legislative matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (405) 521-5567 or by email at bass@oksenate.gov.