Oklahoma taxpayers are set to realize savings through the implementation of a plan to modernize the way state government assigns the state’s fleet of several thousand vehicles.
Officials with the state Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) told House Government Modernization committee members today that 2012 legislation authored by state Rep. David Brumbaugh (R-Broken Arrow) and signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin will allow them to better analyze and track how state employees use state cars.
Brumbaugh’s legislation closed down loopholes that had exempted some state agencies from having to report vehicle-related data to centralized fleet officials.
“With increased tracking of these vehicles, and with the closure of these loopholes state officials can plan on the wise disbursement of fleet resources so as the maximize savings on behalf of the taxpayer,” said Brumbaugh.
Speaking on behalf of the OMES, John Morrison told committee members that his agency plans to deploy a variety of technologies to allow multiple agencies to access state fleet cars. The should allow OMES to ensure each car services more agency customers and could allow the fleet to downsize.
Committee members also received testimony from Oklahoma Energy Secretary Michael Ming regarding Governor Fallin’s plan to convert the fleet to vehicles capable of using CNG. Oklahoma continues to lead negotiations with auto manufacturers to drive down the cost of CNG vehicles so that a cost savings could be realized as soon as the second year following the deploying of each CNG vehicle.
Government Modernization Committee Chairman Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, said the committee’s study of the state fleet would likely be a precursor to aggressive fleet reform legislation during the upcoming legislative session.
The committee will return on Thursday to explore additional ideas for cost savings and efficiency.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) today responded to the embassy attacks in Cairo and Benghazi that resulted in the death of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya:
“These attacks, the murder of our ambassador, and the disgraceful treatment of his body must have consequences. The timing of this on the eleventh anniversary of 9/11 is more than just coincidence. Sadly, America has suffered as a result of President Obama’s failure to lead and his failed foreign policy of appeasement and apology. The world must know beyond doubt that America will not allow these types of attacks on our people. Obama’s failed leadership is in direct contrast with the Ambassador Stevens brave leadership and effort to protect Americans at the consulate.
TheBlaze is reporting that the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) and GOP supporters are slamming the Democratic Party for omitting strong language against Hamas and the Palestinian “right of return” from its 2012 platform, language that was part of the 2008 Democratic platform. 
Several years back (1972-1973) Carly Simon had a hit release entitled “You’re So Vain.” What many do not know is that Mick Jagger (yes, that Mick Jagger) sang backup on the song. Perhaps one can best hear Mick on the “don’t you.”
Some objects that are large enough to be planets are labeled “free floaters” because they do not orbit any star. These strange worlds travel aimlessly through space at high speeds. NASA scientists estimate that there are likely billions of free floaters in our galaxy. I might add that scientists also estimate that our galaxy is of medium-small stature and that there are billions of other galaxies.
Dr.