Published: June 03, 2008 10:13 pm      

6-4 OKC Briefs

EDMOND — Henry signs road bond measure

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Brad Henry has signed legislation authorizing $300 million in bonds to repair state roads and bridges.

Henry said the measure addresses a critical infrastructure problem that affects public safety and is a barrier to economic development.

The governor says it makes sense to sell bonds and fix the state’s worse roads and bridges during a time of low interest rates and rapidly rising construction costs.

The road bonds are part of a $457 million bond package approved by legislators before they adjourned last month.

As part of the agreement, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation will set aside $25 million in an account to repair county roads and bridges.



Newborns get education college boost

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A study being conducted in Oklahoma aims to determine the educational and economic impact of “seeding” college savings accounts for hundreds of newborn babies.

Under the project, $1,000 is being placed into savings accounts for each of the newborns for future college expenses.

The seven-year study is a collaboration between the state Treasurer’s Office and the Center for Social Development at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis.

Officials say the study could lead to national policy changes on increasing the number of college graduates.

As part of the SEED for Oklahoma Kids project, more than 1,300 newborns were randomly selected to receive the $1,000. They represent half of families agreeing to take part in the study.

“Being chosen to receive this SEED money made us take the time to fill out the paperwork and even put some additional money in an account for our son Samuel,” said Lisa Creed of Edmond.

“When you’re busy as parents you say, ‘Yeah we need to set up something,’ but your life is hectic and you just don’t get around to it,” she said.

State Treasurer Scott Meacham said the study puts Oklahoma in the forefront of influencing national policy on increasing the number of Americans who attend college.

Funding is coming from private resources and could total $2.3 million for Oklahoma families. As part of the study, the $1,000 deposits may be matched with up to $250 per year for four years, depending on income eligibility.

Parents of children not chosen to receive the $1,000 have agreed to periodic interviews of their saving behaviors so a comparison can be made with the winning families.