ECONOMIST: STATE BUDGET DEPENDENT ON ENERGY PRICES
There is no way to diversify Oklahoma's economy to the point where a sharp decline in the oil and gas will not devastate the state budget, an economist told members of the state House Appropriations and Budget Committee on Tuesday. - Janice Francis-Smith

ETHICS COMMISSION DEBATES LOBBYIST RULE CHANGES
The Ethics Commission spent hours on Tuesday afternoon debating proposed amendments to its rules regarding gifts lobbyists give to legislators, but commissioners are still struggling to find a solution that will sufficiently curb abuses while allowing lobbyists to do their jobs. - Janice Francis-Smith

OKLAHOMA PUBLIC PENSION SYSTEMS AMONG NATION'S WORST
A national report says Oklahoma has one of the worst public pension systems in the country and its retirement program for teachers will likely be hurt by major income tax cuts. - Ron Jenkins, Associated Press

LOTTERY COMMISSION SEEKS END TO EDUCATION PAYOUT MANDATE
The Lottery Commission on Tuesday decided to ask the Legislature to remove a rule that requires 35 percent of lottery money to go to schools. Lottery Executive Director Jim Scroggins said that the commission could provide more money for education without the 35-percent mandate. - Jeff Packham

PRESIDENT ISSUES DISASTER DECLARATION
President Bush has issued a major disaster declaration for seven Oklahoma counties that suffered serious ice storm damage, the governor's office said Tuesday. - Ron Jenkinks, Associated Press

GM TO OFFER BUYOUT PROGRAM TO 5,200 UAW WORKERS
General Motors Corp. is offering buyouts and retirement incentives to 5,200 hourly workers represented by the United Auto Workers. GM would not reveal how many workers it expects to leave under the program, but said 5,200 are eligible, spokesman Dan Flores said Tuesday. - Corey Williams, Associated Press

CUSTOM BRIDAL SHOP OPENS IN MIDTOWN
A bridal shop featuring many dresses created and hand-produced by an Oklahoma City woman opened last week in the Midtown area. - Kelley Chambers

NEW CEO FOCUSES ON GROWTH AT DEACONESS
Cathryn Hibbs is ready to take over at Deaconess Hospital. Hibbs has been in charge of operations for Community Health Systems hospitals in Oklahoma and New Mexico, and now she'll have a single institution to oversee. Hibbs recently was hired as chief executive officer of Deaconess and will start her new job here on Jan. 2. - Jerry Shottenkirk

VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS HELP KIDS IN CRISIS
Since its inception in 1997, Oklahoma Lawyers for Children has provided volunteer legal counsel in 1,417 cases involving 2,848 children. Currently about 475 Oklahoma City-area lawyers and about 200 non-attorneys volunteer their services. Just this year the organization estimates that it has provided some $15 million worth of free legal work for its young clients. - Marie Price