It seems all we are hearing in the state news is about the economy and the state budget.
For the past two weeks, the House of Representatives has conducted budget hearings with all state agencies and commissions. These meetings are usually held in January, but are being held a month early to try and get a better feel on how the agencies are faring amid the 5 percent per month cuts they have been dealt this year.
We are also asking each agency to see how they could potentially cut another 5-10 percent out of next year’s budget.
This gives time to the agencies to work on early retirements, cut overlapping programs, and in general see where they can tighten the belt. Overall, most agencies and commissions have been helpful and are truly trying to cut the fat out of their budgets – just like any of us would have to do with our own budgets at home.
The cuts are not fun for anybody, but until natural gas prices go up, and the surplus of gas goes down, we will not see the increase in gross production revenue that is so vital to our state economy.
Most of us do not enjoy cold weather, but let’s hope for a cold winter all across North America so we can start seeing the rigs going back up in Oklahoma, and putting our energy employees back to work as well.
It is a busy time in the district as well. Friend Schools was honored by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality this week for applying for, and utilizing a grant that retrofitted three school buses so that their diesel emissions would be lowered and the state’s air quality increased.
Executive Director of the DEQ, Steven Thompson, was present to award Superintendent Alton Rawlins with a plaque of recognition. Teacher Kathy Stonebarger stepped up to the plate by filling out all of the necessary paper work and applying for the grant.
Grady County Oklahoma Home and Community Education groups got together at the Grady County Fairgrounds in Chickasha for their annual awards luncheon. Many members were recognized who excelled in their program of work for the year.
This is a great group of people who strive to keep “the home fires burning” in their homes and communities. Grady County Extension Educator Susan Routh does a great job of coordinating programs and events for the OHCE.
Mustang Public Libraries held a reception for elected officials this week at the Mustang Town Center. It was well attended and held in conjunction with the Festival of the Trees
Event, children’s programs, and Santa Claus visits.
When Mustang stepped out on a limb and invested in their beautiful Town Center they truly built a hub for the people of Mustang to congregate at, hold events at, and be proud of. Desiree Webber, Mustang Librarian, did a great job of coordinating the event, along with the help of the very active Friends of the Mustang Library and board of trustees.
If this is the last column I have published before December 25th, I wish all of you a very merry Christmas and a Happy 2010!
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Leslie Osborn (R- Tuttle) serves District 47 of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. She can be reached by phone at (405) 557-7333 or via e-mail at leslie.osborn@okhouse.gov.
Business
Pre-holiday news from Dist. 47
- Business
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Healthplex campus opens
St. Anthony Hospital unveiled its new medical campus - St. Anthony Healthplex - on Jan. 16 to provide services nearer to its newest neighbors - the residents of southwest Oklahoma City and Tuttle, Newcastle and Blanchard.
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Local businesses to have exhibits at OKC show
Oklahomans can escape the dreary winter days by visiting the Oklahoma City Home & Garden Show at the Oklahoma State Fair Park January 20-22.
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Children enjoy night aboard the 'Polar Express'
Movies Central in Tuttle hosted a Polar Express night on Saturday, Dec. 17 for local children.
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New store to open in 2012
This time next year, Tuttle shoppers will be enjoying an expanded selection of produce, frozen foods, dairy and other grocery items after the expected completion of a new Williams Foods store.
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Chamber of Commerce selects students of the month
The Tuttle Area Chamber of Commerce recently selected and honored their Tuttle High School students of the month, Geena Hadjiconstantinou and Ty Chlouber.
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Walker wins at Williams
Chris Walker of Tuttle recently won an iPad 2 from Williams Discount Foods in Tuttle. The Tuttle-based grocery store held drawings and gave away iPads in all of their stores.
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New bank opens in Tuttle
Great Plains National Bank is very excited about their 11th branch and the recent hiring of two local residents, Stacy Bennett and Ernie Fischer.
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Chamber hosts ribbon cutting
The Tuttle Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting last week for Nail Spa.
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OSU to host Rural Economic Outlook Conference
Oklahoma State University’s department of agricultural economics will host its annual Rural Economic Outlook Conference Nov. 4 at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center on the OSU campus.
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Tuttle man tells Cole conservatives need to have more passion
Oklahomans from Grady County and surrounding areas got a chance to voice their opinions about the nation and how it is being governed at a town hall meeting in Chickasha on Saturday.
- More Business Headlines
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Healthplex campus opens
