House Speaker Lance Cargill's "100 Ideas Initiative” will begin publicly releasing donor information quarterly, beginning at the end of March.
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The initiative, which was an idea born from Cargill to get some new, nonpolitical ideas, has received criticism for not disclosing who is funding the program. As a private group, the initiative is not required to release a list of donors, officials have said.
Thad Balkman, the initiative's executive director and former Norman state representative, said though the group does not have to release its donor information by law, "we will be more than happy to share with the public our contributors on a quarterly basis.”
The initiative will collect ideas covering a variety of subjects this year. An advisory board will narrow the list to the 100 best ideas received online and through what the group is calling "idea-raisers.”
The ideas will be published in a book and may be used by politicians to shape legislation.
About 230 suggestions have been collected, including:
•Students should take two years of state history to bolster state pride.
•A task force to track down internet sex predators.
•Instead of mowing right-of-ways on state highways, bale the grass for hay that could be sold to local farmers.
•Require a driver to have car insurance before being able to pump gas.
•Start rail service between downtown Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
•Lower the drinking age to 18.
Got an idea? Visit www.100ideasok.org.
