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Boren statement on voting against Senate rules

Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, released the following statement regarding her vote against the adoption of Senate rules Tuesday, which she believes fall short of supporting efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during Senate proceedings.

“As we convened for organizational day for the 58th Legislature during a pandemic, I’m encouraged that most senators were eager to honor the Senate leadership’s statement from Nov. 16, 2020, in support of masking, and urging senators to take necessary steps to protect our families and neighbors. The statement also committed the Senate to observing the governor’s executive order to protect the health and safety of visitors and employees at the Capitol. I’m disappointed, however, that these aspirations were not followed by all senators nor incorporated into the Senate rules, so I was compelled to vote no.

“The Senate rules set limits on the size and design of our coffee cups and require us to wear suit coats and dress shoes. It is reasonable to expect the same level of scrutiny to support the health of senators, our families and our constituents. While it is good that public statements encouraged the three W’s - wear a mask, watch your distance, wash your hands - we need more than a marketing strategy. Pandemic precautions should have been clarified and encouraged in our policies and procedures including our Senate rules, especially as we convene during a continuing pandemic.”

For more information contact: Sen. Boren: (405) 521-5553 or Mary.Boren@oksenate.gov

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Every 10 years, the Oklahoma Legislature is constitutionally required to redraw legislative and congressional district boundaries using the latest U.S. Census data. For more information about the Oklahoma Senate's redistricting process, visit www.oksenate.gov, or submit your redistricting questions at redistricting@oksenate.gov.