FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 31, 2012

Representative William Fourkiller
State Capitol Building Rm. 510B
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
Contact: Eric Russell
405-962-7819

Fourkiller Battles Against Childhood Obesity and Bullying

OKLAHOMA CITY(January 31, 2012) Bullying in schools has presented a growing challenge to educators and legislators across the country as they fight to ensure that children get the education they need and deserve. Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, and lack of physical activity is a major culprit.

Representative William Fourkiller, D-Stilwell, wants to fight bullying in schools and childhood obesity by taxing what many consider to be a principal cause of those problems, violent video games.

In 2008, 298.2 million video games were sold in the US, totaling $11.7 billion in revenue. Six of the top ten best-selling video games included violence. Four of those games carried a "Mature" rating recommended only for people 17 and older.

Studies have linked violent video games to desensitization to violence in young minds, possibly resulting in school shootings and increased bullying.

“Violent video games contribute to some of our societal problems like obesity and bullying, but because they raise a lot of revenue, they can also provide part of the solution,” Fourkiller said.

The bill would levy a 1% tax against all games rated “teen”, “mature”, or “adult only” by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.

Fourkiller also pointed out that “I hold no animosity toward the video game industry. Their products contribute to the diverse ‘market of ideas’ protected by our First Amendment that helps make America great. However, some of these products contribute to problems that can be mitigated in part by a minimal levy such as the one I propose.”

Half of the proceeds from the 1% tax would be deposited into the “Bullying Prevention Revolving Fund.” The other half would be deposited into the “Childhood Outdoor Education Revolving Fund.”

All funds deposited into the Outdoor Education Fund would be spent “for the purpose of promoting outdoor education initiatives and nature-oriented physical programs for school-age children in accordance with childhood obesity efforts,” according to the Bill. Funds deposited into the Bullying Prevention Fund would be spent “for the purpose of supporting efforts to prevent bullying in the schools in this state."

“As legislators, we have a duty to Oklahoma children to do everything in our power to prevent bullying and obesity which inhibit the learning environment and threaten the health of our children,” Rep. Fourkiller noted, “and the legislation I propose imposes a minimal burden, which could reap benefits many times greater.”

-30-