[Oasfaa] Update on bills at the State Capitol

[Fair, Bryce]

Here's an update on bills at the state capitol (I've added a new one to the list - see SB 1312 below):

*	Supplemental funding bill for OK Promise-OHLAP signed by the Governor:
On Thursday, March 16, Governor Henry signed Senate Bill 1267 that provides a $4.6 million supplemental appropriation to the OHLAP-OK Promise program for the 2005-06 year.  The $4.6 million replaces funds due to a shortfall in expected casino gaming revenues dedicated to OK Promise-OHLAP scholarships.  Of the $27.1 million allocated to OK Promise-OHLAP for 2005-06, $7.2 million was budgeted to come from gaming revenues that are dedicated to the program as a result of the approval by state voters of a ballot question in November 2004.  However, updated budget projections in December 2005 indicated that this source would actually produce only $2.6 million for 2005-06 rather than $7.2 million.  The $4.6 million supplemental appropriation ensures that all OK Promise-OHLAP college students will receive their full scholarships in 2005-06. 
SB 1267 text: http://www.sos.state.ok.us/documents/Legislation/50th/2006/2R/SB/1267.pdf

*	SB 1993 - OK Promise-OHLAP - family income limit to $75,000 - has passed from the Senate, is now in the House and has been assigned to the House Appropriations and Budget Committee.  [See the article below about the committee chair's comments related to the bill.]
SB 1993 text: http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/2005-06sb/sb1993_engr.rtf

*	HB 2087 - OK Promise-OHLAP - homeschool student eligibility - was amended on the House floor to add back in language dedicating certain oil tax revenue to the OHLAP Trust Fund; passed the House floor; is now in the Senate and has been assigned to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
HB 2087 text: http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/2005-06hb/hb2087_engr.rtf

*	SB 1958 - OK Promise-OHLAP - legislative intent to find a permanent funding source sufficient to fund OHLAP - passed Senate; currently in House and assigned to the House Appropriations and Budget Committee.
SB 1958 text: http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/2005-06sb/sb1958_engr.rtf

*	HB 2589 - students called to military service - passed House; now in Senate assigned to the Senate Education Committee
HB 2589 text: http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/2005-06hb/hb2589_engr.rtf

*	SB 1312 - Oklahoma Lifetime Learning Tax Credit (new to our list) - provides an Oklahoma income tax credit up to $500 for higher education expenses - passed Senate; now in House and assigned to the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.
SB 1312 text: http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/2005-06sb/sb1312_engr.rtf

*	HB 3119 - undocumented immigrants - has passed the House; is now in the Senate but has yet to be assigned to a committee.  [Also below is an article about the opposition of some state religious leaders to the bill, followed by a press release from Rep. Terrill responding to the religious leaders.]
HB 3119 text: http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/2005-06hb/hb3119_engr.rtf

The deadline for committee action in the Senate is April 6; the deadline for committee action in the House is April 20.


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Tuition bill's future uncertain in House

March 20, 2006
By The Associated Press

The Oklahoma House's appropriations chairman said Monday he has not decided whether to consider Senate-passed legislation that would increase the number of students eligible for free college tuition. 

Rep. Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, said he has not studied the measure that would raise the income ceiling for scholarships under the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. 

The plan, supported by Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, would raise the income level from $50,000 to $75,000 for a family to participate in the program. The change would make about 75 percent of high school students in the state eligible. 

"We'll have to take a look at it," Benge said. "We don't know what the cost is on it." 

It cost $27.3 million to provide OHLAP scholarships to 12,000 students last year. Morgan has estimated his proposal would increase its estimated cost to $176 million in nine years. 

The measure has been assigned to Benge's committee. But he said he has not decided whether to give it a hearing. 

"We haven't made a decision on anything yet," Benge said. Monday marked the first day the House took up Senate legislation following passage of Thursday's deadline for the completion of work on House measures. 

The merit-based program has helped thousands of Oklahoma high school students go to college. Students receive tuition scholarships if they enroll in the program, maintain a 2.5 grade point average in high school and stay out of trouble. 

Gov. Brad Henry has said he supports the plan, which passed the Senate 36-10 last month. But the Democratic governor and Senate Republicans have expressed concern about whether the state can afford the increase in tuition costs. Henry said the proposal needs a permanent revenue source to be affordable. 

Morgan has said increasing the number of college graduates is important to the state's economic future. He said the additional money would come from a record state budget surplus. 

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State bishops decry bills as 'anti-immigrant' 

Tulsa World
By Staff Reports 
3/21/2006 

Four bishops representing state Catholics, Episcopalians and Lutherans issued a joint statement Monday opposing what they call "anti-immigrant" measures in the Oklahoma Legislature. 

The House voted 63-24 last week for a bill by Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, that would curb illegal immigrants' access to public assistance, driver's licenses and in-state tuition and allow misdemeanor charges against employees of state agencies who fail to report undocumented workers. 

The bill now goes to the Senate. 

"As faith leaders, we oppose these anti-immigrant measures," said the statement, signed by Archbishop Eusebius Beltran of the Oklahoma City Catholic Archdiocese; Bishop Edward J. Slattery of the Tulsa Catholic Diocese; Episcopal Bishop Robert M. Moody; and Bishop Floyd M. Schoenhals of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 

The bishops said the measures are "unduly severe" and would cause parents to refrain from seeking government services for their children because of confusion and fear. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. Randy Terrill
Capitol: (405) 557-7346
Moore: (405) 476-6766

Terrill Statement on Clerics' Opposition to Immigration Reform

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 21, 2006) - Note: The following statement was
issued by state Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore) in response to comments
made by religious leaders representing the Roman Catholic Church in
Oklahoma City and Tulsa, the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma and the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oklahoma and Arkansas. The group has
announced its opposition to Terrill's legislation that would reduce
illegal immigration.

"I seriously doubt these church leaders represent the majority views of
their congregations, much less the views of a majority of Oklahomans who
favor comprehensive immigration reform.

"Furthermore, I believe the criticisms raised by these church officials
are nothing more than a subterfuge and a smoke screen. In my
conversations with representatives of these individuals, they have
repeatedly said they do not think illegal immigration is a problem or
that the state of Oklahoma has any role in fixing it. Therefore, it
really doesn't matter what legislation I propose, they will oppose it. I
unequivocally reject their assertion that illegal immigration does not
harm this state or its taxpayers.

"I also find it very interesting that church officials would condone
aiding and abetting illegal activity. These religious leaders are
supporting those who harbor illegal immigrants at taxpayer expense. I
personally believe that stance is immoral and contradicts the teachings
of the Bible. (Romans 13:1-2, clearly states: Everyone must submit
himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except
that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been
established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is
rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will
bring judgment on themselves.)

"I want to emphasize that in no way will my legislation prevent any
church, regardless of affiliation or denomination, from aiding
individuals in need. My bill simply says taxpayers will not be compelled
to foot the bill. Churches can continue to privately pay for any aid
they wish to give illegal immigrants."

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Bryce Fair 
Assoc. Vice Chancellor for Scholarships & Grants 
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education 
Phone:  (405) 225-9162 
Fax:  (405) 225-9230 
E-mail:  bfair at osrhe.edu 

Mailing Address: 
P.O. Box 108850 
Oklahoma City, OK  73101-8850 

Street Address: 
655 Research Parkway, Suite 200 
Oklahoma City, OK  73104