Stateline Headlines

1st wave of Central Texas relief workers head to Oklahoma

Crews dig through night after deadly Okla. twister

Latest pipeline spill Is mostly contained

Oklahomans ride out killer tornado inside movie theater

Oklahoma tornadoes take toll on animals

Oklahoma tornado 'in the same league' as worst twister in history

'Our hearts are broken,' Oklahoma governor says of trapped kids

After tornado, Obama offers support to Oklahoma governor

Oklahoma tornado 'was a monster'

Huge tornado levels Oklahoma City suburb, killing scores

Oklahoma tornadoes -- Carney residents describe damage as 'unreal'

Relatives arrive at hospital in frantic searches for loved ones in Oklahoma

U.S. Supreme Court rejects final appeal of Oklahoma death row inmate

Oklahoma Legislature, governor should back effort to fund museum projects

Oklahoma students urged to take stand against bullying

At least 51 die in Oklahoma tornado, official says

As in Oklahoma, poverty nationwide has moved to the suburbs, report says

Public Service Co. of Oklahoma touts 'Oklahoma solution' to regional haze as industrial consumers fear costs

Oklahoma tornadoes -- Rare term used in Monday's storms

Oklahoma devastated by second round of twisters

Vast Oklahoma tornado kills at least 91

Raucous week expected at Oklahoma's state Capitol

New rules have big impact on small banks in Oklahoma

Red Cross response to Oklahoma tornado outbreak

Former Gov. George Nigh's history of service

Fallout of Oklahoma school testing glitch continues

Oklahoma Legislature, governor should back effort to fund museum projects

Interior issues new public land fracking rule

As study unfolds, Oklahoma prison guards hoping for a cool August

Rx drug bills sent to Oklahoma governor

Foreign Law Bans: Political Statement or Unconstitutional?

State lawmakers are focused on keeping U.S. courts away from the influence of foreign law. But does banning all foreign law go too far?

Oklahoma bill would end protected employee status advances

Caution urged in forecasting Oklahoma tax revenue trends

Governor, officials tell Oklahomans to walk this way

Gym little used as smokers are booted from Oklahoma Capitol

Oklahoma’s “Life-Preserving” Law Raises Questions for Doctors

Oklahoma’s new “life-preserving” law guarantees end-of-life treatment to patients if they wish. It was inspired by the Terri Schiavo case in Florida.

Oklahoma lawmakers should make Florida-style Medicaid reform a priority in 2014

Oklahoma's April state revenue tops projections

Oklahoma Senate approves $7.1 billion budget bill

Oklahoma has history of blocking pipeline construction

Oklahoma seeks more consumers damaged by mortgage industry

Oklahoma's House speaker to help national GOP

Oklahoma struggles to keep lines manageable at driver's license testing sites

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signs tax cut measure

School grading bill merits Oklahoma Legislature's approval

Oklahoma struggles to keep lines manageable at driver's license testing sites

State fee increases offset Oklahoma income tax cut

Lawmakers on pace to wrap up session early

Free e-textbooks could save Oklahoma college students hundreds of dollars

TransCanada files lawsuit to block Keystone XL protests

School spending should actually fund reforms

Adviser suggests extending Insure Oklahoma as state's health plan

Early voting for May 14 elections starts Friday

Oklahoma House approves $7.1. billion budget

Finally, Oklahoma Capitol in line to receive a little capital

Oklahoma energy secretary resigns to lead GE research center

Oklahoma House to take up $7.1 billion state budget

Oklahoma water board bill should be sent down the drain

Oklahoma's crumbling Capitol is getting closer to having a face-lift

New pension plan for some Oklahoma state workers heads to Gov. Mary Fallin

More Oklahomans are falling into the deadly grip of heroin

Oklahoma budget agreement doesn't address court ruling on capital-gains tax deduction

Oklahoma budget deal puts office space ahead of public safety

Following budget deal, Oklahoma colleges and universities begin to set tuition rates for next year

Oklahoma workers' compensation measure signed into law

Arguments set in Oklahoma death row inmate's appeal

Red River Showdown: Texas-Oklahoma Water War Could Reverberate Across US

Where Texas and Oklahoma’s showdown over the Red River Compact has huge implications for how states across the country manage their water. The case centers on questions of state sovereignty and interstate commerce.

States with Heavy Military Presence Hurt Hardest

The White House published a 50-state list of potential impacts from the automatic budget cuts known as sequestration. States that rely heavily on military spending would be hurt worst.

Oklahoma State of the State Address 2013

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma Feb. 4 Following is the prepared text of Gov. Mary Fallin's (R) 2013 State of the State Address

Issue To Watch: School Testing

A number of states are pushing to up the stakes on reading tests for younger students and assign letter grades to schools.

Tax Breaks for Sale: Transferable Tax Credits Explained

States offer billions of dollars of tax incentives that businesses can sell to other businesses. Here’s why they do it and how it works.

Oklahoma Among States Limiting Property Taxes

Lowering property taxes is always popular, and results from the November 6 elections show this year was no exemption

High Court Declines Oklahoma “Personhood” Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision to block a ballot measure that would outlaw abortion in the state.

Oklahoma Looks for Ways to Keep Mentally Ill Ex-offenders Out of Prison

The mentally ill account for an ever-greater portion of prison populations. Oklahoma has had success in preventing former inmates with mental problems from being incarcerated again.

Wind Subsidies Raise a Storm in Heartland States

Wind-energy has been a booming industry in many states the past few years. But the federal tax credits that have helped fuel that growth is likely to disappear in a few months.

Florida Poised to Elect First Openly Gay State Lawmaker

With a narrow victory in the Democratic primary, a Miami Beach CPA is set to become Florida’s first openly gay state legislator.

Farmers, Frackers and Scarce Water

Hydraulic fracturing by energy drillers may not be the heaviest consumer of water on parched land. But environmentalists and some farmers are starting to worry about it.

Several U.S. States Deemed Best Global Oil and Gas Investments

Oklahoma is the best place on earth to invest in oil and gas development, according to a survey of energy executives. Six other states joined it in the top 10.

Natural Gas Growth Adds Strain to State Regulators

To keep pace with a surge of natural gas drilling, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is looking to triple its staff of well inspectors. In many other states, inspection teams remain small while wells go unchecked.

Oklahoma Rejects Bonding for Capitol Renovation

As the legislature adjourns, repairs for the Capitol and state office buildings are put off another year.

Kansas and Oklahoma Income Tax Cuts Won’t Reach Zero

Kansas may soon finish a large tax cut and Oklahoma is likely to approve a smaller one, but both will be short of some lawmakers’ initial aspirations: ending the income tax entirely.

Governors Push Natural Gas-Powered Vehicles

With oil prices still high, group of 13 governors on Monday (April 30) asked automakers for input on how states might boost demand for natural gas-powered vehicles.

Best of #StateReads: California Legislators Flip-Flop When the Voting's Done

This week's extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Abortion Ultrasound Debate Intensifies

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: The debate in Virginia whether to require every woman seeking an abortion get an ultrasound is flaring up in a half dozen other statehouses.

Business Gets Its Way in Republican Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY - Republicans have complete control of state government for the first time ever in Oklahoma and are using their power to make sweeping changes.

What Do Record Low Natural Gas Prices Mean for States?

Newly abundant and cheap natural gas has slashed home heating bills for many Americans. But in some states, the continued price drop has thinned state budgets and shifted energy production.

Changes to Unemployment System Could Be in the Offing

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Contained in a tentative congressional deal to extend the federal payroll tax cut are possible changes to the unemployment insurance program in the states.

Ten States Join Effort to Buy Natural Gas Vehicles

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Last fall, the governors of Oklahoma and Colorado announced a plan to get states to buy 5,000 vehicles powered by natural gas. So far, 10 states have joined the effort.

States Try to Help Veterans Find Jobs

With U.S forces out of Iraq and combat troops slated to leave Afghanistan in 2013, states are readying for an influx of returning troops who will be looking for work.

Oklahoma State of the State Address 2012

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma - Feb. 6 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Mary Fallin (R) 2012 state of the state address: Lieutenant Governor Lamb, statewide elected officials, Speaker Steele, President Pro Tem Bingman, members of the court, Honorable Senators and Representatives, cabinet m

Obama Decision Denies Keystone XL Permit

TODAY'S TAKE: A controversial oil pipeline project is put on hold as its route through Nebraska remains a subject of fierce debate.

'Castle Doctrine' Laws Provoke Heated Debate

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: Most states give citizens an explicit right to protect themselves in thier homes. But just how far does that right extend? A number of states are pondering that question.

Abolishing a State Income Tax Is Easier Said Than Done

Conservatives in several states are hatching plans to take income taxes off the books. The question they must answer is whether they would replace lost revenues with other taxes or simply cut services.

'Bottle Bills' Draw Renewed Interest in Legislatures

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: Hoping to increase recycling rates, environmentalists are returning to the old idea of a deposit-and-return system for beverage containers.

Workers' Comp Systems Getting Stricter

States are changing the rules for employees claiming benefits as a result of injuries suffered on the job.

Health Care Law is Bigger Challenge for Some States

TODAY'S TAKE: Eight states will face the greatest difficulties in handling the influx of new Medicaid patients expected after the federal Affordable Care Act goes into full effect in 2014, a new study says.

Alternatives to Incarceration Prevail in Some States

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: Kentucky, Ohio and Oklahoma all approved bipartisan legislation to address overcrowding in their prison systems this year. But in California - the state with a crowding problem so bad it was deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court- Democrats and Republicans could not agree on what to do.

As Shuttle Program Ends, States Step Up Roles in Space

With NASA focused on deep-space missions, the federal government is increasingly turning to private companies to handle more routine flights. Now, states are competing to lure the space entrepreneurs-and the high-tech jobs they promise-to their new or refashioned launch facilities.

After Standoff, Illinois Road Construction Continues

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Illinois senators agree to back off in a budget fight that threatened to halt the state's summer road building season … Nevada clears the way for its first and only tollroad … Digital billboards could soon be legal in Missouri and Oregon, and other transportation news.