18 Sep

Well Vetted Rules to Enact State Question 788 Vital Public Safety Matter

by Angela A in In the Press, Legislative Press Releases, Oklahoma Dems, Oklahoma House, Press Releases

Communications & Public Affairs

Sept 17, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. Steve Kouplen, District 24
Phone: (405) 557-7306

EDITORS: This version uses statements in the first sentence.
Path to Today’s Need for Special Session – Governor Had Been On Board

Well Vetted Rules to Enact State Question 788 Vital Public Safety Matter

“You can’t put a price tag on public safety.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – “In response to statements last week by both Governor Fallin and the Senate co-chair of the marijuana working group on implementation of State Question 788, I would like to examine how we have arrived at this point in the process and their criticisms. Many times prior to the passage of SQ 788, the governor emphasized the fact that a special session would be needed to implement SQ 788, if passed. In my opinion, this was meant to influence the vote, knowing that the Oklahomans were weary of the legislature’s failure to deal with education funding in our state,” stated Rep. Steve Kouplen (D-Beggs)

“Even in regular session, there was an attempt by the House to deal with the possibility of passage of SQ 788, but the action was killed in the Senate. Undoubtedly, without consulting the attorney general, after passage of SQ788, the governor’s tune changed when the Oklahoma State Department of Health passed emergency rules that were less than vetted, as she signed those rules in short order. Fallin signed those rules without vetting by the public or even documentation as to the origin of authorship. When public backlash and the AG intervened, those rules were reversed. RULES THAT INCLUDED TESTING!” cited Kouplen.

“The one consistent thread in committee hearings that practically everyone agreed upon was that for the sake of public safety, there is a need for testing. The director of the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the AG’s letter and numerous legal opinions are that legislative action is required.”

“Licensing of testing protocols require statutory action by the legislature. I assume that’s what the governor knew when she was saying a special session was going to be necessary, before she flip-flopped to oppose one. So, if my call for a special session to ensure public safety and enable the process of testing to get started is, and I quote the governor and the senate co-chair “hot air and political rhetoric before the election and political pandering,” then so be it. I believe the favorability numbers of the governor and the fact that a majority of Oklahomans polled believe that we are going in the wrong direction in this state indicates where the majority of the “hot air and political pandering” is originating from on this issue. This is a vital public safety matter that can’t wait five to eight months. You can’t put a price tag on public safety.”

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18 Sep

0

DNC on Yom Kippur

by Angela A in In the Press, National Democrats, Oklahoma Dems, Press Releases

DNC on Yom Kippur

DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement on Yom Kippur:

“The Democratic Party wishes an easy, meaningful, and reflective fast to Jewish communities in America, Israel, and around the world. Yom Kippur is a chance not only to forgive and seek forgiveness for past mistakes, but also to come together to forge a better future for ourselves and our communities. On this day of atonement and renewal, let us continue the vital work of tikkun olam. Let us strengthen the historic bonds between Jewish Americans and the Democratic Party. And let us put our shared values into action every day. G’mar Chatimah Tovah.”

17 Sep

0

Rep. Young Responds to Pressure Put on Senior Homeowners

by Angela A in In the Press, Oklahoma Dems, Oklahoma House, Press Releases

Communications & Public Affairs
Sept. 17, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. George Young
Phone: (405) 557-7393

Rep. Young Responds to Pressure Put on Senior Homeowners

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. George Young today issued the following statements after receiving numerous calls for assistance from senior residents in his House District asking for help after receiving multiple aggressive mailers pressuring them to sell their homes.

“It has been brought to my attention that numerous mailings are being received by residents who live in House District 99 asking in a very forward manner if the owners would like to sell their homes” said Rep. George Young, D-Oklahoma City.

One of the mailings asks, “Are you trapped by an unwanted house? Do you want to sell without a hassle?”

Young said his Capitol office has received numerous calls regarding these mailings and he now is seeking to get a better idea of the number of older residents being targeted for this type of advertisement. Not only do the mailings include the address of record for the homeowner, but they have the name of the owner and a picture of their home displayed. He said this is very upsetting to some of his older constituents.

Young is asking residents in his district to let him know if they or a loved one has received such mailings. Callers can contact his office at 557-7393.

Those who call are asked to have the mail piece available to discuss.

“What we want to do is get in front of a situation that may be targeting a particular group of individuals due to the rising cost of living,’ Young said. “We hear of many scams that target our elderly population, and sometimes they are falsely led to make decisions that seem beneficial to their financial security but in the end are extremely harmful to their livelihood. We want to protect those elders from making a quick decision due to the onset of such overwhelming suggestions.

“We want to avoid possible displacement of our loved ones and any plausibility of legal actions due to their lack of knowledge regarding the possible direct intent to buy out a particular area of the city by one company.

“We are well aware that gentrification is real,” Young said.

Gentrification is defined as the process of renovating and improving a house or district so that it conforms to middle-class taste.

Young said, “We are aware of the efforts being made within the city to change the urban areas to meet the needs of those who are seeking to move closer to the downtown areas. This seems to be a direct manipulation to change a particular district area.”

Young said, “Let’s be proactive and change the narrative about who is caring for the state’s elderly.”

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15 Sep

0

National Hispanic Heritage Month

by Angela A in In the Press, National Democrats, News, Oklahoma Dems, Press Releases

DNC on National Hispanic Heritage Month

DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement on National Hispanic Heritage Month:

“Democrats are proud to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with the millions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans who live and work in the United States. From commerce to culture, our nation has always been profoundly enriched by our friends and neighbors with Hispanic heritage.

“Sadly, from the start of his campaign for president, Donald Trump has villainized Hispanic communities and stoked the flames of racism and xenophobia across the country. And in act of unconscionable cruelty, his administration implemented a draconian policy of separating immigrant families at our southern border, including many who came fleeing violence and seeking asylum. This venomous rhetoric and these inhumane policies are dangerous, destructive, divisive, and simply wrong. We are better than this as a nation.

“Democrats believe our diversity is our greatest strength. We believe that America is a nation of immigrants. And as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we recommit ourselves to electing leaders who will stand up to racism and xenophobia and work to build bridges, not walls.”

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11 Sep

0

We Still Remember 9/11 Anniversary

by Angela A in In the Press, National Democrats, Oklahoma Dems, Press Releases

DNC Chair on 9/11 Anniversary

On the 17th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement:

“17 years ago, nearly 3,000 people were murdered in the worst terrorist attack in our history. It was an attack not just on our people but on our values and our way of life. But instead of succumbing to fear and division, the American people came together and refused to allow terrorism to triumph. Amid the chaos, we witnessed the courage of first responders who ran into the smoke and ordinary heroes who sacrificed to save others. And in the nearly two decades since, a new generation of heroes has risen to serve the country we love and protect us at home and abroad.

“On this anniversary, we must keep all those affected by this tragedy in our hearts. We must hold fast to the values we share as Americans. And we must ensure that hope and compassion will always outlasted hatred and cruelty.”

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In solemn remembrance of victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks and the heroes who valiantly gave their lives that day, the Democratic National Committee will observe a day of silence with regard to campaign activity. We’ll instead take time to pray and reflect on a tragic day that not only changed the lives of all Americans, but changed the world. The DNC will never forget the lives that were taken that day or the brave first responders who answered the call of duty.

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