From The Norman Transcript:

In a state governed by Democrats practically since statehood, Oklahoma Republicans have made huge gains, especially over the last decade.

The GOP snatched control of the Oklahoma House in 2004 for the first time in 80 years and the state Senate for the first time ever in 2008.

Now, with at least four Democrats leaving statewide offices in 2010, Republicans have an opportunity, albeit a slim one, to take control of every statewide elected office.

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From The Tulsa World:

U.S. Rep. John Sullivan said Wednesday that he paid for his stay at the Betty Ford Center himself because his health insurer hasn’t paid the bill.

“I’m trying to get them to, but they haven’t I paid that myself they didn’t pay it,” the 1st District Republican said, “so, I’m having those (health-care) challenges just like everyone else.”

Sullivan made his remarks during a question-and-answer session that followed his speech at a Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

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From NewsOK:

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett will seek a third term, he announced this morning.

“I expect the next four years in Oklahoma City to be pretty spectacular, and I want to be a part of it,” Cornett said in a news release.

It was widely speculated that he would seek a higher office, but Cornett cited the city’s progress in recent years and a possible MAPS 3 initiative later this year as reasons to try to stay in office.

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From The Tulsa World:

Direct involvement by President Barack Obama is the only way to forge a bipartisan health-care bill, U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn said Thursday.

“What needs to happen is for the president to sit down with some of us and say ‘I’m going to write a bill and send it to Congress,’ ” Coburn said during a town hall meeting at Bristow. “That’s what has to happen. If we do that, we’ll get a good bill.”

Such a scenario might give Coburn, who counts Obama as a friend despite their different political views, more influence on the process. One of two physicians in the Senate, Coburn has been unable to make much headway with his proposal to expand health insurance coverage by subsidizing private policies through refundable tax credits.

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From NewsOK:

Top state lawmakers are discussing the possibility of a special legislative session to address budget issues as the state’s revenues continue to shrink.

Paul Sund, spokesman for Gov. Brad Henry, said the governor is “in general discussions with legislative leaders about the state’s revenue outlook and (has) made no final definitive decisions on anything yet.”

Possible topics of the special session could include additional budget cuts or using money from the Rainy Day Fund, which has nearly $600 million in it.

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