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TODAYS TOP STORIES
Waste Watch: Governor spends half-a-million out of state
Half-a-million tax dollars in Oklahoma.. sent out of state. A State Representative calls the Governor a hypocrite for turning back millions of Federal dollars, and now using money he says we don't have. Fox 25's Kisha Henry brings us tonight's Waste Watch Story from the Capitol. "I think it's offensive to the people of Oklahoma," says Rep. Richard Morrissette, District 92- (D). He calls the Governor's recent decision "hypocricy at its best." "Yesterday, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Board met through the urging of the Governor," says Morrissette. During that meeting, Governor Fallin directed half-a-million-dollars to spent on a contract to study options on how to provide health care for those without health insurance. "We gave back $54-million that the Federal Government was going to give us to initiate these programs. We gave it back...." says Rep. Morrissette. But, Matt Pinnell, Chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party, commends the Governor's decision. "We want an Oklahoma-based plan. We want a plan that works for Oklahoma. What the Federal Government is trying to do will not work for the state of Oklahoma. It's unaffordable and it's irresponsible," says Chairman Pinnell. He says half-a-million-dollars is a responsible amount of money to spend. "[The Medicaid Expansion] is estimated to cost over $650-million to the state of Oklahoma between now and 2022. Losing that money would directly affect the state's ability to fund other priorities. We're talking public safety, education.." says Chairman Pinnell. Rep. Morrissette disagrees. "Over the next eight to ten years, Oklahoma will be forgoing over one-billion-dollars," he counters. Rep. Morrissette says he also finds it disturbing that Governor Fallin is giving money to an out-of-state company that's run by one of her "old friends"-- former Utah Republican Governor Mike Leavitt. But both the Governor's office and Chairman Pinnell say, neither the Governor nor her staff requested the contract with the Leavitt Partners. The Governor declined to go on camera, but staff member Alex Weintz released this statement: "Governor Fallin supports pursuing Oklahoma-based health care solutions. She has asked OHCA to participate in developing an "Oklahoma Plan" to make health care more affordable and accessible for Oklahoma families. She supports OHCA’s decision to hire an outside contractor to assist in that goal. While neither the governor nor her staff specifically requested OHCA contract with Leavitt Partners, the firm has the reputation of being a reputable, non-partisan organization with the expertise and experience required for this important task. "Supporters of President Obama’s health care law are upset because Governor Fallin has elected not to implement the massive new Medicaid expansion proposed under ObamaCare. That expansion is estimated to cost over $650 million for the State of Oklahoma between now and 2022. Losing that money would have directly affected the state’s ability to fund other priorities like public safety and education. As Governor Fallin has said, such an expansion would be unaffordable and irresponsible." "She's spending money on a private contract to do a job that we could already do here through the health care authority. That's what the Health Care Authority does. That's their mission statement," says Rep. Morrissette, referring to the study the OHCA contracted out to Leavitt Partners. But, Chairman Pinnell stands behind the Governor's decision, "It's one of the reasons the voters of Oklahoma elected Governor Fallin, and it's one of the reasons she'll get re-elected here in a couple years."
Posted: Friday, January 11 2013, 09:32 PM CST
IN OKLAHOMA NEWS
Search continues in creek for missing Okla. teen
May 25, 2013 22:59 GMT
KINGFISHER, Okla. (AP) -- Authorities continue to search for a Kingfisher teenager who disappeared after jumping into Uncle John Creek.
Police say 17-year-old Taylor Faine jumped into the creek Thursday and did not resurface. Kingfisher Fire Chief Randy Poindexter told The Oklahoman (http://bit.ly/10s2oB6 ) on Saturday that manmade dams have been built in hopes of finding Faine's body.
Authorities say Faine was swimming with friends in an area where no swimming signs are in place because of dangerous currents in the creek.
OKLAHOMA HEADLINES
Search continues in creek for missing Okla. teen
Judge orders Okla. pastor to trial on murder count
Owasso city manager placed on paid leave
Civil Air Patrol helps asses Okla. tornado damage
2 arrested in death of woman near Cushing
Seniors say they'll stay in tornado-ravaged town
Obama says nation must do more for fallen heroes
Graduations slated for tornado-ravaged Okla. town
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OKLAHOMA WEATHER
69°
From the FOX 25 First Forecast Center..
For Sunday, temps will start off in the mid to upper 60s under mainly cloudy skies. Clouds will gradually move out and skies will be mainly sunny during the afternoon. ...
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US durable goods orders rise 3.3 percent in April
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BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
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NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
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IN THE NEWS: RESTAURANT FLAP LEADS TO INTERNET MELTDOWN
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- It isn't exactly to curry favor with your restaurant customers -- even if your specialty isn't curry.
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EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) -- Dr.
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