An Oklahoma lawmaker has introduced a bill in the state legislature that would impose a tax on "violent video games" to help fight childhood obesity and bullying. Oklahoma State Representative William Fourkiller (D-Stilwell) introduced bill HB 2696, which would add a 1 percent tax on games rated Teen, Mature, and Adults Only by the ESRB. These funds would be used for fighting childhood obesity and bullying. 

An Oklahoma research team led by communications professor Norah Dunbar and the Air Force Research laboratory have managed to score an unprecedented grant of $10.7 million USD to develop a video game to train intelligence officers in the government.

Dunbar, along with Scott Wilson, associate director for Innovative Technologies at the OU K20 Center, is overseeing the development of the game, which is called Intelligence Crisis: codename MACBETH (or "Mitigating Analysts Cognitive Bias by Eliminating Task Heuristics").

If you are planning your last will and testament in the state of Oklahoma, you now have to worry about what to do with your virtual belongings. According to a report in the IB Times (thanks EZK), a new state law in Oklahoma gives estate executors and administrators the power to "access, administer, or terminate" social media and online accounts.

According to former state Rep. Ryan Kiesel (D-Seminole), a co-author of House Bill 2800 (before he left office), the law is meant to remind people that, when they are planning what happens to their real-world estate, they should probably figure out what they want done with their virtual stuff as well.

Right wing organization Americans For Tax Reform is no doubt delighted to report on a recent editorial in Tulsa World penned by Oklahoma Democrat Governor Brad Henry. The editorial, "FCC broadband plan sets us on the wrong path," talks about why the FCC's "third way" to net neutrality is not a good idea. Reading through the editorial, you can hear familiar catch phrases proponents use when discussing net neutrality, like new regulations having a "chilling effect," causing job losses, a decline in investment by broadband providers in rural areas, and more.

People spending other people’s money just can’t seem to stop themselves from buying videogames.

NewsOK carries the story of 44-year old Cynthia Low, a former Senior Financial Assistant in Oklahoma State University's chemistry department, who apparently used school funds to procure Nintendo Wii games, women’s undergarments, jewelry and a variety of sex toys.

Low left her position after hints of impropriety, but it appears tax payers may be on the hook for the tens of thousands in illicit purchases, as OSU officials said they had no choice but to pay the bills for the items.

In her position Low routinely purchased laboratory and office supplies adding up to over $10,000 per month. OSU said that it is investigating the matter and that it would not “tolerate this type of action.”

The current state of politics may be exasperating to most, but it takes a certain mentality to dive in and try to personally bring about change. One of GamePolitics own community members has had enough and decided to do just that.

Zachary Knight is a GamePolitics moderator, ECA Chapter President and burgeoning game developer, and he’s made the decision to run for State Representative in his home state of Oklahoma. EZK, as he’s known around here, will be running in District 46, which comprises Newcastle, Noble and Norman.

EZK was good enough to take a few minutes out of his day in order to answer a few questions for us.


This is your first foray into politics correct? What prompted you to jump in now?

Facing a budget shortfall of $1.2 billion, the state of Oklahoma is looking to zap vending machine and arcade operators with a fee increase of about 300 percent.

Effective July 1, the cost of a license for such machines will rise from $50 to nearly $150, which will make life more difficult for arcade operators like Mike Sefcovick, who operates Cactus Jack’s in Oklahoma City.

Sefcovick pays about $17,000 a year currently to license his 350 machines, a number that will skyrocket to around $52,000 (approximately $145 per machine) following the implementation of the increase.

Sefcovick, speaking to News9, said about the increase, “It’s going to hurt us bad.”

Governor Brad Henry's spokesperson Paul Sund added, “The question was simple, do you raise fees or do you lay off teachers. Do you raise fees or furlough troopers; we thought it made more sense to raise fees.”


Thanks E. Zachary Knight!

In late January GamePolitics reported on a bill before the Oklahama which would provide tax breaks to video game developers - but only if their project wasn't likely to earn an M (17 and older) rating.

GP comment mod E. Zachary Knight, who alerted us to the original story, has now pointed us to KFOR-4's coverage of the bill (fast forward to 5:38).

KROF reporter Jesse Wells sums the issue up nicely:

Ironically, the M-rated restriction on video games doesn't apply to TV and film projects made in Oklahoma. They get tax breaks even if they're rated R or NC-17.

Bill sponsor Sen. Anthony Sykes (R) declined to be interviewed.

From the good news/bad news department:

An Oklahoma state senator has proposed tax incentives for game developers - but only if their project is eligible for a T (13+) or lesser rating from the ESRB.

It was longtime GamePolitics comment moderator E. Zachary Knight who alerted us to the measure, SB644. The proposal by Sen. Anthony Sykes (R), would make game projects eligible for tax breaks which already apply to films, commercials and TV productions in the state.

The video game rating requirement is spelled out in the language of the bill:

“Video games” mean products that are intended for commercial use or are produced for distribution on electronic media and which include an appreciable quantity of at least three (3) of the following types of data: text, sound, fixed images, animated images and 3D geometry and which are rated or will be rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board with the ratings of Early Childhood, Everyone, Everyone 10+ and Teen.

While games are restricted to projects appropriate for those under 17, the only eligibility requirement placed on film content is that it be neither child pornography nor obscene. By that standard, R-rated films and MA-17 television programs would easily qualify for the tax break.

EZK spoke to Sen. Sykes yesterday about the rating requirement and filed this report with GamePolitics:

[Sen. Sykes]... would rather not include the ratings restriction. Unfortunately, as he went around to his fellow senators asking for their support, the first question out of their mouths was whether there would be ratings restrictions.

He is well aware of the [failed] game legislation of [2006] and many of the people who voted for that bill are still in office and were some of the people who demanded the restriction...

He also raised some concerns about [possible] lobbying against the bill... His final concern was whether he could get enough support during such economic turmoil. Oklahoma is facing a budget shortfall this year and that may not make such a tax break very appealing to many people.

GamePolitics readers will recall that Oklahoma's 2006 video game content law was ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge in September, 2007.

If the measure is passed, Oklahoma will join neighboring Texas as the only states tying game developer incentives to content restrictions.