Cox’s Corner by State Representative Doug Cox M.D.
Budget negotiations continue at your State Capitol. Meanwhile several bills have made it through the House.
The School Land Commission is one of the largest land holders in our state. A bill directing the Land Office to study if it is in the state’s best interest to sell some school land takes effect now. They will concentrate on commercial property.
Also passing the House was a bill creating a disabled parking verification system and increasing the fine for illegal parking in a handicapped zone to $500.
A measure helping medical doctors pay off student loans if they agree to establish a practice in a medically underserved community passed. It will not take effect until the state’s economy improves because there is no money in the state budget to pay for this at this time.
A House bill which seeks to boost Oklahoma’s alternative energy usage, especially locally produced natural gas and wind, won easy House approval. It sets a goal that 15 percent of all electricity generated within the state by the year 2015 be generated from renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, geothermal and energy conservation efforts. The bill also calls for the state to expand electric transmission capacity in Oklahoma.
I voted for all of the above measures.
A measure which prevents health insurance from paying for abortions unless a specific rider was purchased at additional expense ahead of time passed. I voted against this bill because it would put an unnecessary medical expense on the family who terminates a pregnancy where the fetus suffers from a lethal congenital condition. I felt the bill would punish good people who were actually against abortion but faced a sad scenario of a fetus who suffered a condition that would result in certain death when the umbilical cord was clamped. Although rare, these conditions do happen—I have seen a couple in my years of medical practice. I hope the governor vetos this bill so it can be improved upon.
You may contact me anytime at 405-557-7415 or dougcox@okhouse.gov . Thanks for allowing me to serve as your State Representative.
