OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, R-Altus, released the following statement after accepting the resignation of Senator Kyle Loveless, R-Oklahoma City:
“Today, I received and accepted the resignation of Senator Kyle Loveless, effective immediately. I wish Senator Loveless and his family best wishes moving forward.”
Click here for a copy of the resignation letter.
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In response to Donald Trump’s rollback of net neutrality rules, DNC Chair Tom Perez issued this statement:
“By rolling back the historic net neutrality rules put in place by President Obama, the Trump Administration just sided with the big telecom companies and their lobbyists, sending a loud and clear signal that Republicans couldn’t care less about the free speech rights of ordinary Americans. Democrats believe that a free and open internet is a necessity, not a luxury. It’s a level playing field for small business and startups to compete. It gives voice to the voiceless and helps marginalized groups organize, share their stories with the world, and fight for justice. Donald Trump apparently prefers a world where large corporations have the power to crush small businesses before they have a chance to grow, and where a handful of CEO’s get to dictate who gets to speak and who gets silenced. This is a disgrace and voters will hold Republicans accountable.”
This isn’t the Trump administration’s first attack on the internet:
TRUMP REPEALED A RULE PREVENTING INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS FROM SELLING YOUR INFORMATION WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT
Trump Signed A Bill Rolling Back Internet Privacy Rules, Meaning Internet Service Providers Can Now Sell Your Web Browsing History Without Your Consent. “President Donald Trump signed legislation Monday killing privacy rules that would have required internet service providers to get your explicit consent before they share or sell your web browsing history and other sensitive information. The rules were approved in the final months of President Barack Obama’s administration but hadn’t taken effect yet. Under the bill Trump signed Monday, they never will — and the FCC isn’t allowed to try to pass new rules.” [NBC News, 4/3/17]
State Rep. Cory Williams, D-Stillwater, debated Wednesday against Senate Bill 38, https://youtu.be/BKrtK68qxmQ which would increase a fee that a court is empowered to assess against anyone convicted of any offense, including traffic infractions but excluding parking and standing violations, that can be punished by a fine of $10 or more or by incarceration.
The Forensic Science Improvement Assessment would be doubled by SB 38: from $5 to $10.
The bill narrowly passed the House, 52-32, and the Senate, 26-19, and is en route to the governor’s desk. In the House the bill was endorsed by 51 Republicans and 1 Democrat, and was opposed by 19 Democrats and 13 Republicans; 14 Representatives were absent when the vote was taken.
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MIKE W. RAY
Media Director, Democratic Caucus
Oklahoma House of Representatives
(405) 962-7819 office
(405) 245-4411 mobile
As President Trump prepares to sign an executive order on education, DNC deputy communications director Adrienne Watson released the following statement:
“Trump isn’t signing an executive order to actually improve education for American students, but instead to put a fake point on the board within his first 100 days. So far, Trump and his administration’s actions have harmed students rather than helped. Trump rolled back protections for student loan borrowers and nominated a Secretary of Education with no experience in public education whatsoever. Plus, his plan to privatize public education leaves rural schools out in the cold. When it comes to Trump’s 100 Day test, it’s clear that he deserves a failing grade.”
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OKLAHOMA CITY (25 April 2017) — Legislation that would create a special fund for commemoration of the Tulsa Race Riot has cleared the Legislature with no opposition, and will be sent to the Governor.
Senate Bill 17 was endorsed unanimously Tuesday by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, 81-0. The bill previously passed the Senate, 39-0. Authors of the measure were Rep.
Monroe Nichols and Sen. Kevin Matthews, both Tulsa Democrats.
When SB 17 was brought to the House floor for consideration Tuesday, Nichols explained that the bill would create a Tulsa Race Riot Centennial Memorial Revolving Fund for use by the state Historical Society to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1921 race riot.
During the uprising, a white mob nearly destroyed the entire 35-block Greenwood District, a thriving sector of north Tulsa. The American Red Cross reported that 300 people died in the riot and more than 800 others were hospitalized.
