Oklahoma Governor misusing the State Airplane?

Last month Governor Brad Henry office announced that revenue for the State of Oklahoma is down almost 20 percent. It is a staggering number; we are more than $1 billion short of balancing the budget.

And that is why this latest case of state-dollar spending is particularly concerning.

But, Governor Brad Henry can uses a State Aircraft for personal vacations; at least once to attend a wedding in Pensacola, Florida.

The governor presided at the wedding. The groom was an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper and the bride was the First Lady's assistant.

The cost to Oklahoma taxpayers totaled about $5,700; not including the salaries of the pilot and co-pilot.

Performance Reviews: Oklahoma Dept. of Public Safety

Oklahoma State Senator Anthony Sykes, Chair the Oklahoma State Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety & Judiciary and Rep. Randy Terrill, Chair of the Oklahoma State House Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety & Judiciary, joint Subcommittee Performance Reviews: Department of Public Safety

Sen. Brogdon Bill would ban fingerprinting for driver's license

Oklahoma State Sen. Randy Brogdon is sponsoring a bill to prohibit the state Department of Public Safety from requiring driver's license applicants to give their fingerprints.

The bill (SB 289) would prevent the state from collecting or keeping "any biometric data in connection with motor vehicle registration or operation or in connection with driver licensing."

Biometric data would include fingerprints, palm prints, voice data, iris recognition data, retinal scans and DNA.

It would also apply to Social Security numbers.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Capt. Chris West says the fingerprint requirement is intended to reduce identity theft and is required under a law that took effect in July 2004.

West says the Social Security numbers help in collection of child support.