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TODAYS TOP STORIES
Halloween laws for sex offenders
Across the country, sex offenders are banning together to fight new restrictions. In California, a city council recently passed a law making it a crime for sex offenders to decorate for Halloween, open the door to trick-or-treaters or have outside lighting Halloween night. They are also now required to post a sign on their door, with one-inch letters reading: "No candy or treats at this residence." "I agree that they shouldn't pass out candy or decorate. They shouldn't attract children," one local parent tells Fox 25's Kisha Henry. "It was probably a well-intended law to protect children. Everyone would be for that," says Defense Attorney David Slane. Though, he says the California law is unconstitutional because of its forced speech and restriction of celebration. And, for that reason, a group of sex offenders in California have hired an attorney to fight the restrictions. "There's a good likelihood this law may very well be stricken down," says Slane. "The government can't tell you or I what to say or do. They also can't tell us we have to post things at our house. It's our property." "I think everybody has the freedom to landscape their house the way they want to," adds one Oklahoma woman. "I had a consenual relationship with an underage girl," says Bradlee Barnhart, a registered sex offender in the Metro. He's been a registered offender for the past 13-years, and even though Oklahoma does not have any laws similar to the one in California, he complies out of fear. "I basically turn the lightts off and buy no candy, and pretty much leave so I'm not even there," says Barnhart. He says he understands parent's concerns, having been around other sex offenders after his conviction. "I was in with some pretty rough characters," he says, referring to his treatment program. But, he and Slane say the continuous add-ons to sex offender laws have gone too far. "The sex offender law in Oklahoma has been changed every year since 1999. I think many people who are required to register are starting to fight back, and start challenging these laws because they're going just too far." He notes six cases in Oklahoma, where sex offenders have challenged the law. "I'm not a monster or a predator. I'm a normal person just trying to live my life... live past the mistake I made years ago," says Barnhart. In California, those who break the law will face a misdemeanor charge, with the punishment of up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
Posted: Sunday, October 7 2012, 09:51 PM CDT
IN OKLAHOMA NEWS
Major accomplishments of 2013 Oklahoma Legislature
May 24, 2013 23:22 GMT
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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Major items passed by the Oklahoma Legislature, which was working Friday to wrap up its 2013 session:
-- Tax Cut: Lawmakers adopted legislation that reduces the state's top income rate from 5.25 percent to 5 percent beginning Jan. 1, 2015, with a second cut to 4.85 percent set for 2016 if state revenues continue to rise. The measure has been signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin.
-- State Capitol Improvements: The tax cut bill also diverts $120 million in income tax revenue over the next two years to a fund that will finance improvements and repairs to the State Capitol building. Built between 1914 and 1917, yellow barricades now ring the building's south plaza to keep pedestrians from walking beneath pieces of a limestone facade that has crumbled from the building.
-- Budget Bill: The Legislature adopted a $7.1 billion general appropriations bill to fund state government for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The bill increases spending by nearly $270 million over the current year's budget, with funding growth focused mostly on education, health care and human services.
-- Worker's Compensation: Fallin signed legislation to overhaul the state's workers' compensation system. The measure changes Oklahoma's current court-based system to an administrative structure. Supporters say the change will dramatically reduce workers' compensation costs to businesses.
-- CompSource: Lawmakers also passed a measure that converts the nonprofit CompSource Oklahoma into an independent mutual company that will be known as CompSource Mutual Insurance Company. The agency writes about one-third of Oklahoma's workers' compensation policies.
-- Rainy Day Appropriation: Within days of devastating tornadoes that struck Moore, Shawnee and other areas, lawmakers approved using $45 million from the state's constitutional reserve fund to help communities recover from the damage. Among other things, the money will help pay for repairs to local infrastructure damaged by the tornadoes and the overtime costs of first responders. A total of 24 people, including 10 children, died in the Moore tornado and two other people were killed in the Shawnee tornado.
-- Pension Changes: Lawmakers passed legislation to reduce the unfunded liability of Oklahoma's pension system for firefighters. The bill requires new firefighters to be at least 50 years old and have worked for 22 years, instead of the current 20 years, to be eligible for benefits. New firefighters also would not become vested until they had worked for 11 years, instead of the current 10 years. The bill also increases the amount that firefighters, municipalities and the state pay into the system each year.
OKLAHOMA HEADLINES
Major accomplishments of 2013 Oklahoma Legislature
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Okla. governor signs abortion bill, 20 other bills
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Principal recounts storm hitting Moore school
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