| April 2010 | |
| OKLAHOMA'S eGOV NEWS REPORT | |
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Welcome to Oklahoma's eGovernment News Report. We hope you enjoy the monthly report providing you with up-to-date information on Oklahoma's eGovernment achievements.
Oklahoma State Election Board Unveils New Web Site The Oklahoma State Election Board recently launched a new Web site with a fresh new look and address at http://elections.OK.gov. From the homepage, visitors can easily find answers to frequently asked questions about elections in Oklahoma, including: • Registering to vote in Oklahoma, “With Oklahoma’s 2010 elections approaching, we wanted to redesign our Web site so that it is clear and concise, easy-to-use, and allows us to communicate more effectively with the public,” said State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax. “We feel we have achieved this mission, and we are very excited that the new site will enhance the State Election Board’s ability to provide information to voters and candidates throughout the election season.” The Oklahoma State Election Board launched its new Web site utilizing OK.gov’s Go Gov! Web Management Suite. The site is designed to meet and exceed Oklahoma’s Web accessibility standards, as well as to share a common look and feel with many other Oklahoma government sites, including OK.gov, the state’s official portal. The Oklahoma State Election Board invites Oklahomans to visit the new and improved http://elections.OK.gov and learn more about the voting process and the State Election Board.
Oklahoma Appliance Rebate Process Will Be Consumer Friendly; Buyers Target May 8 The Oklahoma Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program begins Thursday for retailers in conjunction with Earth Day, while Oklahoma residents can begin purchasing Energy Star appliances on May 8 at 9 a.m. Vaughn Clark, Director of Community Development for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, said TMR, based in Medina, OH, will be the state’s rebate program administrator. Oklahoma appliance retailers as well as HVAC contractors and installers who sell qualifying equipment will begin online enrollment starting at noon, April 22. They will access the system via the Commerce appliance rebate Web site at www.OKcommerce.gov/appliances. During the enrollment process, retailers will indicate which eligible appliances they sell, which in turn will provide consumers with an easy way to find participating retailers by zip code or by appliance type. The enrollment process also reduces opportunity for fraud. "The plan we have developed is the best plan for Oklahoma citizens, " Clark said. "We’ve seen several states experience significant problems when consumers are responsible for reserving their own rebates, and in Oklahoma, we are determined to not let that happen. So we are taking every step to ensure a successful program for both retailers and Oklahoma residents." He said enrolling and educating retailers in the rebate program will alleviate many of the problems other states have experienced. Pete Howe, CEO of TMR Inc, said the Oklahoma plan is retailer-focused and rebate applications will be handled at the point of sale. Howe said all participating vendors will be able to see real-time accounting of the state’s first come, first serve rebates. Clark said there are no forms to fill out ahead of time. Consumers can simply show up at the retailer of their choice starting at 9 a.m., May 8 and complete their purchase and rebate application process in one visit. The process is designed to avoid an Oklahoman purchasing an appliance and finding out later they will not get a rebate. Retailers will be able to tell on-the-spot if a rebate is available. A toll-free phone number -- 877-655-2287 – has been set up to answer residents’ questions. Email inquiries may be directed to appliancerebate@OKcommerce.gov.
Governor Henry Announces Kickoff of McReady Campaign Gov. Brad Henry today announced the kickoff of this year’s McReady Oklahoma statewide severe weather preparedness campaign – a public-private partnership designed to prepare families and communities for emergencies and to increase awareness of severe weather threats. On Thursday, local and state emergency management officials, along with volunteer response agencies and associations, will join corporate sponsors including McDonald’s and OG&E, for the annual program’s official launch at Washington Elementary School in Norman. Students and staff will be treated to the McReady Weather Safety Show featuring KOCO Chief Meteorologist Rick Mitchell, OG&E’s Lineman Larry and Ronald McDonald. “In Oklahoma, we’ve seen more than our share of destruction caused by tornadoes and severe weather,” said Gov. Henry. “At the same time, we’ve learned that being prepared and knowing what to do before the storm hits saves lives. That’s what this campaign is all about.” The program features displays in more than 170 McDonald's restaurants throughout the state during the month of April – which the governor proclaimed McReady Oklahoma Family Preparedness Month. Informational materials focusing on floods, tornadoes, lightning, emergency preparedness and NOAA all hazards weather alert radios are available as part of the program. Customers will see severe-weather themed tray liners and drive-thru bag stuffers throughout the 30-day campaign. “We’ve known for years that preparedness is the key to saving lives when it comes to severe weather,” said Albert Ashwood, director of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM). “The McReady program allows us to drive the message home and better prepare individuals, families and entire communities.” In addition to OEM and the Oklahoma Emergency Management Association, McReady partners include the American Red Cross, R.D. Flanagan & Associates, the Office of Gov. Brad Henry, KOCO Channel 5, KOTV Channel 6, KRMG Radio, McDonald's Owners/Operators, MOROCH, National Weather Service, OG&E Electric Services, Oklahoma Citizen Corps, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Floodplain Managers Association, The Oklahoman, Salvation Army and Tulsa Partners Inc. Washington Elementary is located at 600 48th Avenue SE in Norman. Thursday’s show will begin at 9:30 a.m. The Weather Safety Show is also scheduled for other schools including those in Okarche, Oklahoma City and Piedmont. Shows in Tulsa will feature Travis Meyer with KOTV Channel 6.
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What's Inside
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services - Terri White, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation - Richard Hatcher,
How Do I Save On Gas This Upcoming Memorial Day Weekend? How Do I Check My Tax Refund Status?
Monday, May 31
Small Business Day at the Capitol Gov 2.0a Conference Click-It or Ticket Mobilization 2nd Session - 52nd Legislature Ends
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About OK.gov
OK.gov is the official Web site of the state of Oklahoma and a collaborative effort between the Oklahoma Office of State Finance (OSF) and Oklahoma Interactive, LLC to help Oklahoma government entities Web-enable their information services. OSF is responsible for OK.gov. Oklahoma Interactive operates, maintains, and markets OK.gov and is part of eGovernment firm NIC’s (NASDAQ: EGOV) family of companies.
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