Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd on special session

Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, issued the following statement regarding Monday’s special session:

“On Monday the Oklahoma Legislature, meeting under strict health and safety protocols, took several unprecedented actions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Senate Democrats voted to concur with Governor Kevin Stitt’s executive order declaring a health emergency under the Catastrophic Health Emergency Act.

“While we support this action, our caucus also reiterates our call on the governor to issue a statewide shelter in place order to flatten the curve and prevent further community transmission of the virus.

“Oklahoma Senate Democrats also voted in support of legislation to address the impact of COVID-19 on Oklahoma’s economy and the state budget by tapping the state’s Rainy Day Fund. The three bills passed by the Legislature will become law upon signature by the Governor.

“Finally, the Oklahoma Senate voted to temporarily amend Senate rules to allow senators to conduct legislative business remotely while a catastrophic health emergency order is in place. Oklahoma Senate Democrats worked in a bipartisan manner with the majority caucus to adopt these changes, which will allow the Senate to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities while protecting public safety. As these new meeting procedures are utilized, Senate Democrats will work to ensure strong public participation and transparency protections are put in place. I thank Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat for his leadership in moving this forward and for including me as a coauthor of this action.”

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MAKE IT COUNT OKLAHOMA! An undercount in the census of just 2 percent can cost the state $1.8 billion in lost federal money over the next 10 years. Fill out your census form, Oklahoma. Learn more at:www.2020census.gov.