Back to CIG Pressroom Current Issue Previous Editions Useful Resources OCS Monthly News Review Prepared by Mark Shafer, Director of Climate Information Oklahoma Climatological Survey   Current Issue: Volume 4, Issue 3 (June 2004)   NATIONAL Federal IT Research hearing OMB chief denies spending cuts Senate begins moving on appropriations Energy tax package passes Senate First responders grant formula debated Natural gas prices rise Labor Department reports productivity gains Deficit up $56 billion from last year $43 trillion in unfunded costs Conservation programs face cuts Governors endorse drought system Thirty-one states exceed air quality standards Environmental data goes online Legislation would rate agency performance Grants.gov goes operational e-government levels off States may restrict outsourcing SEVIS improves after rocky start Homeland Security alerts to be carried on weather radio Classified secrets increase 25 percent Stevens tops in "Pig Book" - again Kansas land run?   AGENCY NEWS NASA reorganization set for August 1 Commission urges cabinet status for NASA Crawford named to lead NOAA effort Corps focuses on selected projects Homeland Security creates independent research center Homeland Security merges offices Bio-terrorism directive released OPM pushes on-the-spot hiring Federal agencies fare well in job competitions Noncompetitive contracts on the rise Performance requirements may be revolutionary OMB emphasizes property management   STATE & LOCAL Legislature wraps up session State puts $200 million in rainy day fund Candidates file for office FY 2005 budget estimate certified Bond issue for endowed chairs Higher Education bond issue in trouble Water planning bill dies in Telecommunication task force named Republicans name floor leader Governor names new health secretary Norman city manager resigns Bode named president of power pool Highway cameras contract awarded Oklahoma receives $32 million for homeland security Oklahoma outpaces region in economic growth Oklahoma's electricity market continues growth Wheat crop gets good marks, despite drought Monitoring plan set Tar Creek buyout Concern over forest thinning OCAST President indicted Interim OSU dean selected Tulsa picks new president Test scores Oklahoma joins National LambdaRail Rural broadband service Oklahoma second in school Internet access Senator Muegge to receive award   WEATHER & CLIMATE Earth Observation Summit meeting Western Snowpack fails to live up to promise More hurricanes than normal forecasted for 2004 NASA technology aiding weather forecasters Warm spring Spring soil moisture indicator of summer precipitation Greenhouse warming leads to wetter world Atlantic current weakens Earthshine reflects climate change New mass extinction   SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Academies seeks feedback on presidential appointments process OMB releases new rules on peer review Senator challenges sampling technique NCAR combines sensors and models to test detection systems Technical innovation necessary for transportation Ralph Cicerone to take the helm of the National Academy of Sciences Academy chooses 72 new members Education symposium information on the web Academies library resources online   REPORTS & STUDIES Improving federal financing of academic research Report Lists Criteria for Evaluating K-12 Math Programs National Research Effort Needed to Secure Water Supply Integrated planning for water projects USGS outlines health of rivers Engineering profession requires changes TRB lists transportation titles   Previous Editions: Volume 4, Issue 2 (April 2004) Volume 4, Issue 1 (February 2004) Volume 3, Issue 7 (November 2003) Volume 3, Issue 6 (June 2003) Volume 3, Issue 5 (May 2003) Volume 3, Issue 4 (April 2003) Volume 3, Issue 3 (March 2003) Volume 3, Issue 2 (February 2003) Volume 3, Issue 1 (January 2003) Volume 2, Issue 12 (December 2002) Volume 2, Issue 11 (November 2002) Volume 2, Issue 10 (October 2002) Volume 2, Issue 9 (September 2002) Volume 2, Issue 8 (August 2002) Volume 2, Issue 7 (July 2002) Volume 2, Issue 6 (June 2002) Volume 2, Issue 5 (May 2002) Volume 2, Issue 4 (April 2002) Volume 2, Issue 3 (March 2002) Volume 2, Issue 2 (February 2002) Volume 2, Issue 1 (January 2002) Volume 1, Issue 2 (December 2001) Volume 1, Issue 1 (November 2001)   Useful Resources: Oklahoma State Senate Leadership (PDF) OMB rules on peer Review (PDF) New NASA organizational chart (PDF) NASA commission report: A Journey to Inspire, Innovate and Discover (PDF)   Governor Henry Appointments (Word) Oklahoma Delegation Staff 2004 (Word) FY05 Federal R&D Budget (PDF) Source: House Science Committee hearing, 2/11/2004 NOAA Strategic Plan (PDF) Army Corps of Engineers reorganization (PDF) View From Rural Oklahoma (PDF) Interim Report on Transmission Issues in Oklahoma (PDF) Bush Administration National Energy Policy (Full Document, Summary)   Governor Henry State of the State Speech, 2004 (Word) Governor Henry State of the State Speech, 2003 (Word) Oklahoma Certified Revenues, Fiscal Year 2004 (PDF) Governor Henry's FY2005 budget Governor Henry's 2004 Budget (7 parts): Overview (PDF) Budget Summary, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Agriculture, Commerce and Tourism, Education, Energy, Environment (PDF) Finance and Revenue, Health and Human Services, Human Resources and Administration, Military Affairs (PDF) Safety and Security, Science and Technology Development, Secretary of State, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Legislature, Judiciary (PDF) Summary (PDF) Fiscal and Economic Data (PDF) Budgeting Process, Acronyms, Glossary, Index (PDF) Governor Henry Inauguration Speech, 2003 (Word)   State Senate Districts (New, Old) State House Districts (New, Old) (PDF; GIF) Cleveland County House Districts (New, Old) (PDF) State House District 44 (PDF) State House District 45 (PDF) State House District 46 (PDF) State House District 53 (PDF) Cleveland County Precints (PDF)   State Legislature Election Winners, 2004 (Excel Spreadsheet) Candidates for General Election, 2004 (PDF) Oklahoma Candidate Filings 2004 (PDF) State Legislature Election Winners, 2002 (PDF) Filings for Federal Office, 2002 election (PDF) Candidate Web Sites, 2002 election (PDF) Monthly News Review is prepared by the Oklahoma Climatological Survey. Its purpose is to provide a summary of weather and climate news or related issues that may help guide policy-makers in the Oklahoma Weather Center. Along with weather, climate, environmental, and science issues, the review includes issues on the national and state agendas and events that affect major businesses in Oklahoma that bear some relation to demands for weather-related information. The summaries and any opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and in no way reflect positions of the Oklahoma Climatological Survey or the University of Oklahoma. Last Update: November 9, 2004