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A committee in the state House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly this week to make it OK to say "Merry Christmas" in public schools. Who says nothing of importance can get accomplished in this election year?
Actually, the "Merry Christmas Bill" is a feel-good measure in the extreme, which is why it passed 15-1 in committee and is sure to sail to easy passage down the road. Federal courts and the U.S. Department of Education already provide guidelines for what sorts of holiday displays may be erected in schools. Students and teachers can already offer greetings of "Merry Christmas."
The bill's author says the intent is to shield school districts from lawsuits over religious-based holiday displays. "It will declare that we have a right to express our core beliefs and celebrate winter traditions without fear of lawsuit, retribution or reprisal," he said.
Lawmakers interested in really making a difference for Oklahomans, and not just showboating, should pay attention to such bills as the one approved by a Senate committee. It would move new state employees to defined contribution pension plans, instead of the defined benefit plans now in place.
Pension reform is a must if the state is to meet its obligations to retirees. But the proposed changes will be fought vigorously by vested interests. Backing the changes will require real courage by lawmakers. We'll know by session's end how many have it.
First Amendment under siege
Hobby Lobby's challenge to Obamacare's mandate requiring employers to provide contraceptive coverage, including abortifacients, continued this week with the company's latest court filing. All citizens should care about this case's outcome, because it could dramatically affect First Amendment rights. As Christians, Hobby Lobby's owners feel the abortifacient mandate forces them to violate their religious faith and participate in an activity they morally oppose. Admittedly, even constitutional rights can be restrained (you can't yell "fire" in a crowded theater), but only in support of a constitutionally defensible goal that can't be achieved in less-intrusive ways. Can the Obama administration increase access to abortificients without forcing people of faith to participate? Of course it can. Which suggests the administration's actions aren't designed to promote "reproductive choice," but are a merely an excuse to use government force to impose their views on people they disagree with.
Costly storms
How costly were the tornadoes of 2013 in Oklahoma? According to the Insurance Information Institute, Oklahoma led the nation in natural disaster-related insurance payouts last year with $1.99 billion. That far outpaced Texas ($1.51 billion) and Colorado ($907 million), which ranked second and third. Nationwide, payouts related to natural disasters totaled $12.79 billion, with the large majority of that — $10.27 billion — the result of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Speaking this week at the National Tornado Summit in Oklahoma City, institute president Robert Hartwig said that over the past 30 years, more than one-third of all natural disaster-caused claims payouts nationwide were due to tornadoes. No one around here would complain if that trended downward in 2014.
Difficult sales job
Oklahomans may recall a proposed gasoline tax increase that was placed on the ballot here in 2005. It received just 13 percent support from voters. Such taxes can be tough sells, as the governor of Washington state is learning. Gov. Jay Inslee wants to increase the gas tax. The collapse in May of a bridge on Interstate 5, which connects Washington to Canada, would seem to help his cause. But the Republican-controlled state Senate rejected the idea last summer, and no deal was reached during a special session late in 2013. Inslee is asking again. As it happens, Republican lawmakers led the way in revamping the way Oklahoma funds its Oklahoma roads and bridges. They didn't raise taxes to do it, but instead significantly increased the state's appropriations to transportation.
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Troy Man Allegedly Stumbled Into A Police Car – Busted For DWI
A marked, New York State Police car was parked at a gas pump at the Stewart's Shop on Route 7 in Brunswick on Sunday.
A marked, New York State Police car was parked at a gas pump at the Stewart's Shop on Route 7 in Brunswick on Sunday.
A 33-year-old Schenectady man allegedly went through a store's garbage receptacles to find receipts.
The owner of an Albany area jewelry store has been arrested and charged with two counts of Grand Larceny.
After a melee broke out inside the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany, at a concert last Friday night, a decision has been made to suspend all upcoming concerts.
The annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Albany is this Saturday, but one thing will be noticeably missing: alcohol.
Last week, I had a story about a local man that was accused of a burglary because of his DNA.
An investigation has led to a shut down of a local business and an arrest.
Here we go again - It's another phone scam.
If you serve alcohol to minors in your home, you can end up with some legal problems.
A 45-year-old woman that was considered a suspect in a string of shoplifting incidents, has been arrested.
A portion of the Glens Falls Civic Center collapsed today.

subset: commoncrawl


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Personal Care Availability
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Media Theater Outing
Thursday, October 8th | 1:30pm — 4:30pm
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Rose Tree Place
The Best Value in Media Senior Living
Rose Tree Place, located in Media, Pennsylvania is a retirement community offering Personal Care and Memory Care on a large but intimate senior campus. Rose Tree Place is located just minutes from shopping, dining, entertainment and healthcare.
In this friendly atmosphere we offer extraordinary cuisine, fun events, interesting classes and customized care. Choose from affordable studio apartments to spacious two-bedroom suites, wonderfully appointed with a kitchen, large living room and bathrooms.
Residents of Rose Tree Place enjoy services and amenities that support a carefree, fun-filled lifestyle. Our on-site amenities include outdoor courtyards and a paved walking path, marble lobby with grand piano, well-stocked library, computer center, fitness center, full-service beauty salon and barber shop, on-site physical and occupational therapy as well as an elegant dining room with private dining available.