Attorney General Hunter Warns of Scams Surrounding Coronavirus Relief Funds
OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter today issued a warning about potential fraud to Oklahomans awaiting
their economic impact payments from the federal government.
The economic impact payments are part of the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES)
Act. Signed by Pres. Donald Trump in March, the act included funding for emergency assistance to Americans and
businesses financially struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Attorney General Hunter said the economic impact payments provide much-needed relief for those struggling, but
create another opportunity for scammers attempting to cash in or steal identities.
“The majority of individuals who qualify for the one-time payment don’t have to do anything except wait for the
money to be deposited in their bank accounts or checks will come in the mail,” Attorney General Hunter said.
“Although some details are still being finalized, I encourage Oklahomans to stay patient. Only get information from
trusted sources, ignore text messages or emails claiming to expedite the process and contact my office about any
suspicious offers. Regrettably, these scams, and more, are already beginning to surface. Oklahomans who are
anxiously awaiting this money must, nevertheless, be on high alert.”
On Monday, theTreasury
Department and the Internal Revenue Service announcedthe distribution of payments will begin in
the next three weeks. The payments will be automatically delivered, with no action required for most individuals.
However, some taxpayers who typically do not file returns will need to submit a simple tax return to receive a
payment.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit offers the following advice for avoiding fraud and scams related to
the Coronavirus:
Federal agencies will not email or text individuals regarding Coronavirus economic impact payments.If
an unsolicited email or text comes from a federal agency with information about the money or anything else
related to the Coronavirus, it is a scam that could infect someone’s computer with malware or ransomware.
There is no fee to receive stimulus money.If someone says there is, they are a con
artist, and you should terminate the conversation.
No one can expedite payments.Do not trust anyone claiming to be able to perform
this service.
For more resources on Coronavirus scams and contact information for the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit,
click here:https://bit.ly/2V1CCob.
###
Office of the President Pro Tempore
Senator Greg Treat
For Immediate Release:April 2, 2020
Senate leader agrees with Governor’s health emergency declaration;
Says Senate will meet Monday to take action
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma
Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat said he agrees with the governor’s health emergency declaration issued Thursday and that
the Senate will convene Monday to take action on the order.
“This particular kind of
order hasn’t ever been issued by the executive branch, but I agree it’s needed now during these extraordinary and unprecedented
times. We must take this pandemic seriously as a state. Life, at every stage, is precious and we must do everything to protect
it. The health emergency declaration gives the governor and his team greater authority to coordinate Oklahoma’s overall
coronavirus response. Oklahoma will come through this health care crisis, and with a unified and statewide response, that
comeback will happen quicker and more effectively,” said Treat, R-Oklahoma City.
On Thursday, Governor
Kevin Stitt issued an health emergency declaration in accordance with the provisions of 63 O.S. § 6101 - 6900 due to the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor’s Office said:
Under 63 O.S. § 6104 of
the Oklahoma Statutes, the governor is granted broader powers during a health emergency, like the COVID-19 pandemic, to waive
statutory or regulatory requirements as well as the ability to coordinate a cohesive statewide response among city and county
health departments.
This declaration also
gives the governor the authority to allow health care professionals who have left the workforce to quickly rejoin the front
lines against COVID-19 and protect first responders by helping them manage their personal protective equipment (PPE). By
loosening some restrictions, first responders will be able to know if the home they are dispatched to has a resident who has
tested positive for COVID-19. Patient names and other identifying information will still be restricted.
The issuance of the health
emergency also triggers a special legislative session to approve or deny the governor’s actions. The special session is set for
8 a.m. Monday.
Treat said the Senate
consulted with the Attorney General’s Office and legal staff since these statutes and provisions have never been invoked.
“The legal opinion is that
the governor’s executive order is effective upon its issuance. The Senate is not currently in session; however, attorneys inform
us the special session can be held next week. That will help us minimize the amount of time the Legislature meets so that we can
adhere to social distancing guidelines,” Treat said.
Treat said the Senate was
finalizing logistical plans for session, which include utilizing a minimum amount of Senate staff and rotating senators’ time on
the Senate floor so that proper social distancing practices could be observed.
###
April 2, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: John Estus Office of House Speaker Charles McCall Capitol: (405)
557-7439 Cell: (405) 706-0084
Legislature to return next week
OKLAHOMA CITY – Under strong health and safety protocols, the Legislature will convene on Monday to address the
expected state revenue failure and an expanded state health emergency requested by Gov. Kevin Stitt.
“The
Legislature will complete important business next week while putting safety at the forefront of all activities at
the Capitol,” said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. “Extraordinary precautions will be taken to ensure health
and safety within the Capitol during these necessary proceedings. We are going to stabilize the budget so services
can continue uninterrupted and affirm the governor’s health emergency declaration to step up Oklahoma’s battle
against COVID-19. The Legislature’s time to act is here, and we are prepared to do so in a safe manner that is
compliant with current health guidelines.”
McCall said
the Legislature will address the pending state revenue failure by accessing reserve funding in regular session, and
affirm the governor’s emergency health declaration request in special session. The governor was required to call the
special session under the state law outlining expanded powers the governor can be given during emergency health
situations.
The House will
convene at 8 a.m. Monday under the following revised protocols necessary to protect against COVID-19 while in
session.
WHO
WILL BE AT THE CAPITOL
Capitol access remains restricted to elected officials,
essential Capitol staff, the press, state officials invited for critical meetings and construction personnel.
Most House staff will continue to work remotely; only
essential staff will be at the Capitol.
No gatherings of more than 10 will be allowed in any House
room at any time.
House members and staff will not be allowed into the
Capitol if they:
Have COVID-19 or its symptoms
Live with someone who has COVID-19 or its symptoms
Are immunocompromised or otherwise at risk
Live with someone who is immunocompromised or otherwise
at risk
Before entering the Capitol, House members and staff will
have their temperature taken. No one with a temperature above 100.4F will be admitted.
House members unable to enter the Capitol for these
reasons or others can vote remotely via a proxy under House Rule Fifteen.
HOW
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS WILL WORK
Skeleton crews of less than ten people will run floor and
committee proceedings.
Members and staff must listen to proceedings in their
offices.
Members will be brought into floor and committee
proceedings individually or in small groups to vote, ask questions, debate and present legislation in order to
comply with orders limiting gatherings of ten or more.
Press will be permitted in the enclosed press gallery
above the House Chamber, and will be required to maintain social distancing within the gallery.
The House Chamber public gallery will be closed.
Livestreaming video online of floor and committee
proceedings will continue.
The
Legislature has not been in the Capitol since March 17, when a staffer tested positive. Since then, the Legislature
and its staff has worked remotely and the Capitol has received a deep cleaning.
Further
details on next week’s session activities will be released in the near future.
Attorney General Hunter Clarifies Governor’s Executive Order Regarding Law Enforcement Action for Non-Compliance
OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter today released the following information regarding law enforcement action relating
to individuals or business owners that do not comply with the governor’s March 24 executive order.
“The guidelines in the governor’s executive order call for Oklahomans to act in the best interest of their fellow citizens,”
Attorney General Hunter said. “What we are calling on more than anything, is for Oklahomans to be good citizens, good neighbors
and comply with the governor’s executive order, as well as the ordinances of local governments, to protect one another from this
deadly illness.
“While a violation of an executive order can be a misdemeanor, law enforcement officers are counseled to inform and persuade to
effect compliance when confronted with violations, emphasizing the gravity of the ongoing public health emergency we are
experiencing.
“This is not intended to undercut law enforcement’s ability to make decisions based on their training, discretion and the facts
of any given situation. Rather, this statement is provided to support and enable law enforcement to make sound, fact based
decisions given the circumstances while appropriately balancing the interests of public safety and public health.
“We are in an unprecedented time. The Coronavirus has and will continue to cause profound disruptions in everyone’s lives and
livelihoods and we are all painfully aware of those who have become ill or tragically, have died. But rest assured, by following
the advice of our state, municipal, county and federal leaders, and complying with the measures laid out in the governor’s
executive order, we will save lives.”
Facts Concerning the Governor’s Executive Order
It doesnotimpose martial law;
Individuals can still be charged with a misdemeanor. However, it is up to law enforcement’s discretion on who does or does
not need to be arrested for violating the executive order or another misdemeanor crime;
The guidelines in the governor’s executive order call for Oklahomans to do what is in the best interest of the public health
of their fellow citizens; and
Gov. Abbott issued an Executive Order mandating a self-quarantine of 14 days for individuals traveling to Texas as
their final destination through an airport from the Tri-State Area of NY, NJ, or CT as well as the city of New
Orleans, LA.
WHEREAS, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, issued a disaster
proclamation on March 13, 2020, certifying under Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code that the novel
coronavirus (COVID-19) poses an imminent threat of disaster for all counties in the State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Department of State Health Services has determined that, as of
March 19, 2020, COVID-19 represents a public health disaster within the meaning of Chapter 81 of the Texas Health
and Safety Code; and
WHEREAS, I issued Executive Order GA-08 on March 19, 2020, Executive Order GA-09 on
March 22, 2020, and Executive Order GA-10 on March 24, 2020, all in response to the COVID-19 disaster; and
WHEREAS, many cases of COVID-19 in the State of Texas were caused by people who
transmitted the virus to Texans after flying here from other states and countries; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, recently
urged everyone who traveled from the New York metropolitan area to self-quarantine for 14 days to ensure that
COVID-19 does not spread to others; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Anthony Fauci, a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force,
likewise called for 14 days of self-quarantine of travelers from New York so that New York does not act as a
“seeding point to the rest of the country;” and
WHEREAS, after the Governor of Florida imposed a quarantine on all air travelers
arriving from the New York Tri-State Area, which is experiencing substantial community spread of COVID-19, the Mayor
of New York City remarked to the press, “I understand it. We are the epicenter;” and
WHEREAS, the “governor is responsible for meeting . . . the dangers to the
state and people presented by disasters” under Section 418.011 of the Texas Government Code, and the legislature has
given the governor broad authority to fulfill that responsibility; and
WHEREAS, under Section 418.012, the “governor may issue executive orders . . .
hav[ing] the force and effect of law;” and
WHEREAS, under Section 418.017(a), the “governor may use all available resources of
state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with a disaster;” and
WHEREAS, under Section 418.018(c), the “governor may control ingress and egress to
and from a disaster area and the movement of persons and the occupancy of premises in the area;” and
WHEREAS, under Section 418.173, failure to comply with any executive order issued
during the COVID-19 disaster is an offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000, confinement in jail for a term
not to exceed 180 days, or both fine and confinement.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the
Constitution and laws of the State of Texas, do hereby order the following on a statewide basis effective at noon on
March 28, 2020:
Every person who enters the State of Texas as the final destination through an airport, from a point of origin or
point of last departure in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or the City of New Orleans, or in any other state or
city as may be proclaimed hereafter, shall be subject to mandatory self-quarantine for a period of 14 days from the
time of entry into Texas or the duration of the person’s presence in Texas, whichever is shorter. This order
to self-quarantine shall not apply to people traveling in connection with military service, emergency response,
health response, or critical-infrastructure functions, as may be determined by the Texas Division of Emergency
Management. Each person covered under this order to self-quarantine shall be responsible for all associated
costs, including transportation, lodging, food, and medical care.
A covered person shall use a form prescribed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to designate a
quarantine location in Texas, such as a residence or a hotel, and provide a full name, date of birth, home address,
telephone number, and driver license or passport information. DPS Troopers, or other approved peace officers,
shall collect a completed form from each covered person immediately upon disembarking and verify it against the
person’s driver license or passport. Providing false information on this form is a criminal offense under
Section 37.10 of the Texas Penal Code. Questions about this form should be directed to DPS at (800) 525-5555.
A covered person shall proceed directly from the airport to the designated quarantine location entered on the DPS
form. Any covered person exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 shall be escorted to the designated quarantine
location by a DPS Trooper.
A covered person shall remain in the designated quarantine location for a period of 14 days or the duration of
the person’s presence in Texas, whichever is shorter, leaving only to seek medical care or to depart from Texas.
During that period, a covered person shall not allow visitors into or out of the designated quarantine location,
other than a health department employee, physician, or healthcare provider, and shall not visit any public spaces.
DPS Special Agents will conduct unannounced visits to designated quarantine locations to verify compliance by
confirming the physical presence of covered persons. Any failure to comply with this order to self-quarantine
shall be a criminal offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed
180 days, or both.
This executive order shall remain in effect and in full force until modified, amended, rescinded, or superseded
by the governor.
Given under my hand this the 26th day of March, 2020.
The Executive Order requires all hospitals, excluding psychiatric hospitals, to submit daily reports on hospital bed
capacity to DSHS who will then share this information with the CDC.
WHEREAS, I, Greg
Abbott, Governor of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on March 13, 2020, certifying under Section 418.014 of the
Texas Government Code that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) poses an imminent threat of disaster for all counties in
the State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has determined that, as
of March 19, 2020, COVID-19 represents a public health disaster within the meaning of Chapter 81 of the Texas Health
and Safety Code; and
WHEREAS, I issued Executive Order GA-08 on March 19, 2020, and Executive Order GA-09
on March 22, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 disaster; and
WHEREAS, timely information about COVID-19 testing and hospital bed capacity is
crucial to efforts to cope with the COVID-19 disaster; and
WHEREAS, Vice President Mike Pence, leader of the White House Coronavirus Task Force,
has requested that every governor in the United States order daily reporting of these crucial pieces of information
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and
WHEREAS, the “governor is responsible for meeting . . . the dangers to the
state and people presented by disasters” under Section 418.011 of the Texas Government Code, and the legislature has
given the governor broad authority to fulfill that responsibility; and
WHEREAS, under Section 418.012, the “governor may issue executive orders . . .
hav[ing] the force and effect of law.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the
Constitution and laws of the State of Texas, do hereby order the following on a statewide basis effective 11:59 p.m.
on March 24, 2020:
All hospitals licensed under Chapter 241 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, and all Texas state-run hospitals,
except for psychiatric hospitals, shall submit to DSHS daily reports of hospital bed capacity, in the manner
prescribed by DSHS. DSHS shall promptly share this information with the CDC.
Every public or private entity that is utilizing an FDA-approved test, including an
emergency use authorization test, for human diagnostic purposes of COVID-19, shall submit to DSHS, as well as to the
local health department, daily reports of all test results, both positive and negative. DSHS shall promptly
share this information with the CDC.
This executive order shall remain in effect and in full force until modified, amended, rescinded, or superseded
by me or by a succeeding governor.
Given under my hand this the 24th day of March, 2020.
Governor Greg Abbott
LOUISIANA GOVERNOR EDWARDS ISSUES STAY IN PLACE ORDER FOR LOUISIANA CITIZENS WITH EXCEPTIONS READ BELOW
Officials announce temporary closure of Government Plaza
OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF GOVERNMENT PLAZA
A Parish of Caddo employee who works at Government Plaza has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee has received medical care and
is currently self-isolating at home. The Parish is working closely with local and state officials to identify the employee’s close
contacts and provide necessary guidance to those individuals.
In an abundance of caution and for the health and safety of our citizens and employees, the Parish of Caddo along with the City of
Shreveport and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office will be closing Government Plaza Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20. Citizens
will not be able to access Government Plaza at this time. This closure will allow for the disinfection of the facility. Essential
staff from all agencies will be working remotely. Employees are expected to return to Government Plaza on Monday.
“During this time in our community, the Parish’s top priority is to protect the health and welfare of our citizens and employees.
Taking these measures allow us to disinfect and sanitize our public spaces and make sure that they are safe,” said Erica R. Bryant,
Assistant Parish Administrator.
“The City of Shreveport is taking every precaution to ensure the safety of City employees and to prevent the further spread of
COVID-19 through our community, while maintaining essential city services. We will disinfect the building and work spaces before
employees return,” said Mayor Adrian Perkins.
“Our administrative employees are valuable to us. We will do whatever necessary to catch up on the two lost work days in order to
sanitize our offices. All essential services remain operational and we are there for you,” said Sheriff Steve Prator.
In abundance of caution and for the health and safety of our citizens and parish employees, the Parish has made several
changes that alter the way we provide our...…Read
on
FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT (1ST JDC) COVID-19 ORDER
Newsfrom
theOklahoma Corporation
Commission Public Utility Division
March 16, 2020
Media Advisory
Covid-19 and utility customers
The Commission’s Public Utility Division (PUD) is coordinating a voluntary effort
by the state’s utilities to help Oklahomans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other things, plans are being developed
to help impacted customers who may be facing service disconnection.
The agency’s PUD staff is coordinating with the regulated utilities to consider
moratoriums for those residential customers who are directly affected by the COVID-19 virus and for high-risk residential
customers.
Please contact your utility to obtain more specific information about that company’s
COVID-19 response plan.
Pursuant to Executive Order 2020-07the
State of Oklahoma is under a state of emergency declared March 15, 2020 and effective until April 13, 2020. The Oklahoma
Department of Labor (ODOL) as an agency of the state is currently closed to the public and all meetings in the building have
been canceled until April 30, 2020. All interactions with ODOL will be conducted by telephone or electronically in
adherence to the directives of Governor Kevin Stitt.
The ODOL can be reached by telephone at
(405)521-6100 or toll free 1-(888)269-5353 and by fax at (405)521-6018.
If you have questions regarding the following please email the division
directly
Employment Standards Division(ESD)
for questions regarding wage claims atwageclaims@labor.ok.gov
Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of
our citizens and in an effort to prevent the spread of illness, we are following the recommendations from the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) regarding social distancing. ODOL regrets any inconvenience this may cause and will continue to ensure a
high level of public service. If we can be of assistance, please contact us.
ThisOrderis
being issued in response to the recent outbreak of novel coronavirus in the United States and the State of
Louisiana. The World Health Organization has declared that COVID-19 qualifies as a global pandemic, having spread
across more than 120 countries with more than 1,600 confirmed cases in the United States.
Due
to the potential high risk for serious illness from COVID-19 for older adults/senior populations, below are upcoming programs hosted
by the Caddo Parish...…Read
on
LOUISIANA GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER ON USING PRISONER OR JAIL LABOR
The Office of the State Register will publish the following Executive Order in
the February 20, 2020 issue of the Louisiana Register:
JBE 20-01 Offender Labor--Jetson
To view Executive Orders on our website archive, go to:
Mayor Adrian Perkins will introduce legislation to create a Chief Financial Officer at the February 11th City Council meeting. He
will appoint Sherricka Fields...…Read
on
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 20, 2019
President Donald J. Trump Announces Judicial Nominee
Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate:
David C. Joseph of Louisiana, to serve
as Judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.
David Joseph is the
United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, where he serves as the chief Federal law enforcement officer
for the District. Before becoming United States Attorney in 2018, Mr. Joseph served as an Assistant United States
Attorney in the Western District of Louisiana, where he prosecuted a wide variety of offenses, with a focus on fraud,
public corruption, white-collar crime, and crimes committed on the district’s military installations. Mr. Joseph
also served as a prosecutor in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps and as an attorney in the Professional
Liability & Financial Crimes Section of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and he practiced civil litigation in
the private sector. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Joseph served as a law clerk for Judge Jeffrey P. Victory
of the Louisiana Supreme Court and Judge John V. Parker of the United States District Court for the Middle District of
Louisiana. He earned his B.B.A. from the University of Oklahoma and his J.D. from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at
Louisiana State University, where he was a member of theLouisiana Law Review.
The four orders serve to limit public gatherings and help reduce exposure for people across the state.
WHEREAS,
the novel coronavirus (COVD-19) has been recognized globally as a contagious respiratory virus; and
WHEREAS, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on March 13, 2020, certifying that
COVJD-19 poses an imminent threat of disaster for aH counties in the state of Texas; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 continues to spread and to pose an increasing, imminent threat of disaster throughout Texas;
and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised that person-to-person contact heightens
the risk of COVID-19 transmission; and
WHEREAS, the President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America, as promulgated by President Donald J. Trump and the
CDC on March 16, 2020, call upon Americans to slow the spread of COVID-19 by avoiding social gatherings in groups of
more than 10 people, using drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options at restaurants and bars, and avoiding visitation
at nursing homes, among other steps; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Department of State Health Services has now determined that, as of March 19, 2020, COVID- 19
represents a public health disaster within the meaning of Chapter 81 of the Texas Health and Safety Code; and
WHEREAS, under the Texas Disaster Act of 1975, “[t]he governor is responsible for meeting . . . the dangers to
the state and people presented by disasters” (Section 418.001 of the Texas Government Code), and the legislature has
given the governor broad authority to fulfill that responsibility.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the
Constitution and laws of the State of Texas, do hereby order the following on a statewide basis effective 11:59 p.m.
on March 20, 2020, and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on April 3, 2020, subject to extension thereafter based on the
status of COVID-19 in Texas and the recommendations of the CDC:
Order No. 1- In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, every
person in Texas shall avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people. Order No. 2- In
accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, people shall avoid eating or drinking at bars,
restaurants, and food courts, or visiting gyms or massage parlors; provided, however, that the use of drive-thru,
pickup, or delivery options is allowed and highly encouraged throughout the limited duration of this executive
order. Order No. 3- In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC,
people shall not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical
assistance. Order No. 4 - In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, schools
shall temporarily close.
This, executive order does not prohibit people from visiting a variety of places,
including grocery stores, gas stations, parks, and banks, so long as the necessary precautions are maintained to
reduce the transmission of COVID-19. This executive order does not mandate sheltering in place. All critical
infrastructure will remain operational, domestic travel will remain unrestricted, and government entities and
businesses will continue providing essential services. For offices and workplaces that remain open, employees should
practice good hygiene and, where feasible, work from home in order to achieve optimum isolation from COVD-19. The
more that people reduce their public contact, the sooner COVID-19 will be contained and the sooner this executive
order will expire.
This executive order supersedes all previous orders on this matter that are in conflict or inconsistent with its
terms, and this order shall remain in effect and in full force until 11:59 p.m. on April 3, 2020, subject to being
extended, modified, amended, rescinded, or superseded by me or by a succeeding governor.
Given under my hand this the 19th day of March, 2020.
The actions, taken immediately, will reduce and delay the spread of COVID-19.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL
COME:
I, John W. Hellerstedt, M.D., Commissioner of the Department of State Health Services, do hereby certify that the
introduction and spread of the communicable disease known as COVID-19 in the State of Texas has created an immediate
threat, poses a high risk of death to a large number of people and creates a substantial risk of public exposure
because of the disease’s method of transmission and evidence that there is community spread in Texas.
THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 81.082(d) of the Texas Health and Safety
Code, I do hereby declare a state of public health disaster for the entire State of Texas.
Pursuant to Section 81.002 of the code, each person shall act responsibly to prevent and control communicable
disease. The following actions, taken immediately, will reduce and delay the spread of COVID-19:
• People, businesses and communities should immediately undertake hygiene, cleanliness and sanitation practices
that are accessible, affordable and known to be effective against COVI D-19.
Wash hands often for 20 seconds and encourage others to do the same.
If no soap and water are available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
o Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue away. o Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
with unwashed hands.
Disinfect surfaces, buttons, handles, knobs, and other places touched often. o
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• People who are known to have, or are under investigation or monitoring, for COVID-19, should adhere to the
direction provided to them by duly authorized persons, including public health officials. Failure to abide by such
direction may result in involuntary quarantine or isolation for the purposes of preventing further community spread
of COVI D-19.
People who are ill, especially those with symptoms consistent with influenza or COVID 19, should isolate
themselves at home until they recover. Such persons should only present for medical evaluation and treatment if
their symptoms are such that they cannot continue to be cared for in their home. And, when seeking medical care
should call their doctor or health care facility before arriving to allow them to prepare.
• Limit trips into the public to essential outings. Traveling to work, the grocery store, the pharmacy or to seek
medical care would be considered essential trips.
• Limit as much as possible close contact with other people. Stay six feet away.
• Do not gather in social groups of more than ten (10) individuals.
• Employers should allow work at home alternatives to the greatest extent possible.
• Restaurants should not allow dine-in options, either inside or outside. Take-out and curbside options with
minimal contact are permitted and highly encouraged.
The Texas Department of State Health Services will continue to provide the most current and practical advice on
how to control the spread of COVID-19 and encourages all Texans to seek additional information from a trusted source
such ashttps://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/or
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention athttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/.
Adherence to these rules and the sound public health principles that support them will provide optimal protection
for the people of Texas. These measures are necessary to advance the health and safety of all Texans. Copies of this
proclamation will be filed with applicable authorities.
Given under my hand this the day of March, 2020.
JOHN W. HELLERSTEDT, M.D. Commissioner of Public Health
A 34-year-old Nigerian man who resided in Houston has been charged with conspiracy, bank fraud and aggravated identify theft
I
ARKANSAS
OKLAHOMA
Communications & Public Affairs March 16, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: STATEMENT: Rep. Sean Roberts on COVID-19
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Sean Roberts (R-Hominy) today released the following statement regarding COVID-19:
“Constituents and
members of the media,
The threat of
coronavirus is quite real. The next several weeks are paramount in determining the impact this virus has on our communities.
Awful national tragedies such as Hurricane Katrina have shown us what happens when government fails to aggressively act
preemptively. We have a chance to change our trajectory. We must mitigate the impact and realize that this virus impacts
all age groups. It is important that we fight this virus with an ‘Oklahoma Strong’ mentality. We must all work together to
protect our seniors, high risk patients, and our healthcare providers. Even if you, as an individual, are not classified in a
high risk sector for the coronavirus, if necessary precautions are not taken, you are potentially putting our senior citizens,
high risk patients and healthcare providers at a higher risk of contracting the virus.
The deaths,
hospitalization rates and effects that coronavirus have had on European countries, as well as China and South Korea, show that
this is extremely far from just being the flu. It took an extreme, mandated quarantine for China to even limit its mortality
rate to 5%. That level of quarantine is incompatible with our culture. That Europe has seen young people hospitalized with grave
damage, and in large significant percentages, should give us extreme concern as to the risk this invisible enemy poses.
As Chairman of the
House Public Health Committee, I implore our citizens to actively limit their exposure. This would include looking at keeping
their families safe, be it their child going to school virtually or telecommuting to work. Wherever possible, I encourage
families to look at options where they can stay home and limit their exposure. This limits them to risk from both people
displaying symptoms, as well as those who do not yet qualify to test for the virus but may be actively spreading the disease.
We see this storm
front on the horizon. The impact of this disease, if looking at infection rates and mortality rates seen in other countries,
shows that this can be the most threatening enemy to our society in living memory. Action absolutely MUST be taken, and NOW.
Even a low estimate of a 2% mortality rate and a cursory discussed British infection rate translates to thousands of Oklahomans
dying in the next 12 months due to coronavirus. We must stand together as a community and limit our exposure to protect not only
ourselves, but also our neighbors and to hopefully get ahead of this virus before it is too late and we are simply reacting to
it.”
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Communications & Public Affairs Feb. 27, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: State Rep. Kyle Hilbert Phone: (405) 557-7353
Utilities Committee Passes Hilbert Bill to Limit Telemarketers and Scam Calls
OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Utilities Committee today passed legislation to prevent telemarketers from replicating
phone numbers and misrepresenting the origin of a phone call.
House
Bill 3081, authored by Rep. Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow), would prohibit callers from tampering with information
displayed on caller IDs to disguise their identities. This practice is known as “caller ID spoofing” and is a common
tactic used by telemarketers and scammers.
“House
Bill 3081 prohibits telemarketers from replicating phone numbers or misrepresenting the origin of a phone call in
order to deceive call recipients,” Hilbert said. “Until this issue is resolved at the federal level, we must do
everything we can as a state to help cut down on these predatory and time-consuming practices.”
“I was
happy to hear this bill in the Utilities Committee and to vote for it. We need to make sure we stop the deceptive
practices behind these calls that are harmful to our senior citizens and other vulnerable adults,” said House
Majority Leader Mike Sanders (R-Kingfisher), the chair of the House Utilities Committee.
Hilbert
said Texas passed similar legislation last year.
HB3081
passed the House Utilities Committee 10-0. It is co-authored in the Senate by Sen. James Leewright (R-Bristow) and
is now available to be considered by the House.
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MIKE HUNTER ATTORNEY GENERAL OF OKLAHOMA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2020
State Officials Announce Plans to Resume Execution by Lethal Injection
Updated protocol includes recommendations by 2016 multicounty grand jury
OKLAHOMA CITY – State officials including Gov. Kevin Stitt, Attorney General Mike Hunter and Department of Corrections (DOC)
Director Scott Crow announced today that the state has found a reliable supply of drugs to resume executions by lethal
injection.
The state will use an updated version of the previous protocol that includes recommendations by the 2016 multicounty grand jury.
The three drugs that will continue to be used are: midazolam, vecuronium bromide and potassium chloride.
Additionally, officials with the Attorney General’s Office have complied with thenotice
provisions of the joint stipulations, thus enabling the state to request execution dates for inmates who have exhausted
their appeals after 150 days.
“It is important that the state is implementing our death penalty law with a procedure that is humane and swift for those
convicted of the most heinous of crimes,” Gov. Stitt said. “Director Crow and Attorney General Mike Hunter have worked
diligently and thoroughly to create a path forward to resume the death penalty in Oklahoma, and the time has come to deliver
accountability and justice to the victims who have suffered unthinkable loss and pain.”
Although the state previously announced the move to nitrogen hypoxia as the preferred method of execution, the 2015 law allowing
the state to develop a method for nitrogen hypoxia specifically states death sentences shall be carried out by nitrogen hypoxia
only if the drugs for lethal injections are unavailable.
“My commitment to Oklahomans who remain tormented by the loss of their loved ones has been that we would go any route necessary
to resume executions as expeditiously as possible within the rule of law,” Attorney General Hunter said. “They have endured
enough through the decades of waiting on the lengthy appeals process and the state’s attempts to get the protocol right. I
appreciate Director Crow and his team for their tireless search to acquire the drugs from a reliable source. Because of these
efforts, we can finally tell the victims their wait for justice is nearly over.”
The updated protocol includes several of the recommendations by the 2016 multicounty grand jury, including a verification of
execution drugs at every step in the process, more training for the execution teams, among others.
Also, consistent with the multicounty grand jury recommendations, the DOC continues to work on a protocol that will allow the
state to proceed by execution through nitrogen hypoxia when appropriate.
“Under this enhanced protocol, Oklahoma Department of Corrections stands ready to resume executions recommended by a jury of
peers, sentenced by an impartial judge, and mandated by law,” Director Crow said. “I thank Governor Stitt and Attorney General
Hunter for their leadership, which helped create this improved process. Additionally, I am deeply grateful for the patience of
victims’ families and loved ones as we worked to ensure Oklahoma’s executions resume and are carried out in a meticulous
manner.”
House Passes Bill Requiring Law Enforcement to Comply with Federal Immigration Agencies
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed legislation directing all sheriffs, jailers and deputies to comply
with any request made in an immigration retainer request provided by the federal government.
House Bill 3195 is
authored by Rep. John Pfeiffer (R-Orlando), who pointed to instances in Oklahoma where illegal immigrants have been released by
local law enforcement despite their immigration status having been confirmed.
Pfeiffer said the
bill was requested by members of law enforcement to help define their role in these situations.
“I repeatedly heard
from law enforcement in my district and from across the state that they needed clarification as to their roles in these
situations,” Pfeiffer said. “House Bill 3195 requests that they comply with federal immigration agencies by alerting them to a
person’s immigration status and holding a person for no longer than 48 hours while federal officials arrive.”
House Bill 3195 was
co-authored by Rep. Sean Roberts (R-Hominy).
“Our local law
enforcement should be cooperating with federal immigration agencies in instances where a person’s status as an illegal immigrant
has been confirmed,” Roberts said. “We’ve seen unfortunate situations in Oklahoma where our existing laws failed to keep our
citizens safe by releasing an illegal immigrant before federal agents arrived.”
The legislation
would require the person identified in the immigration detainer to be informed they are being held in accordance with the
request from federal agencies. The bill states that a sheriff, jailer or deputy is not required to comply if the person has
provided proof that the person is a citizen of the United States.
House Bill 3195
passed the House by a 78-21 vote. It is now available to be considered by the Senate, where it is authored by Sen. Julie Daniels
(R-Bartlesville).
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The traffic information kiosk for Oklahoma highways …
Attorney General Hunter and U.S. Attorney Downing Announce Indictments in Home Title Conspiracy
OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter and U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing today announced a federal grand jury has
indicted three individuals after an investigation uncovered allegations of a scheme involving home title fraud.
Laura Johnson, 44, Thomas Johnson, Sr., 51, and Cheryl Ashley, 69, all of Oklahoma City, have been indicted for conspiracy,
fraud, identity theft and other related crimes. The trio is accused of using falsified documents to obtain titles on at least 12
homes without the owners’ knowledge.
Home title fraud typically occurs when someone steals an individual’s identity, forges the individual’s name on a deed and takes
the title to the individual’s home. Abandoned, rarely used or unoccupied homes are the primary targets of deed fraud. However,
occupied homes can also be targeted.
“The elaborate coordination by these defendants and lengths to which they defrauded property owners is disturbing,” Attorney
General Hunter said. “They not only preyed on victims whose properties were vacant, but they also used forged eviction notices
and court documents to remove people from their homes and even targeted the deceased. I appreciate the leadership of U.S.
Attorney Downing and our other law enforcement partners for making this case a priority.”
According to court documents, some homeowners in this case claim to have vacated their homes based on phony eviction notices
posted as part of the conspiracy. When certain victims fought the takeover of their homes in court, the defendants filed
pleadings and submitted affidavits signed by attorneys who do not exist.
Along with the Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the United States Secret Service assisted in the
investigation.
“Oklahomans have to be able to rely on records county officials maintain to establish ownership of real property,” said U.S.
Attorney Downing. “When federal charges help uphold the integrity of governmental property records, the Department of Justice
will eagerly work with state investigators and prosecute fraud. Thank you to Attorney General Hunter and his team for this
outstanding example of federal-state cooperation.”
Another method the defendants used to obtain home titles was targeting properties with delinquent property taxes that were
subject to auction by the Oklahoma County Treasurer’s Office.
The defendants would pay one or more years of taxes on the properties to avoid auctions. Then, the defendants would file
fraudulent warranty deeds to transfer properties into the names of companies and individuals that did not exist.
One home, of which the defendants gained possession, had been owned by a woman who died in 2012. Once they occupied the
property, the defendants used records found in the home to abscond with $63,950 from the deceased’s bank accounts and $45,000
from her oil and gas interests.
If convicted, the defendants face fines and prison time.
Individuals seeking to protect themselves against deed fraud should regularly monitor their credit reports. All home owners
should watch for potential deed fraud red flags and report them to authorities, such as: no longer receiving typical monthly
bills, receiving a foreclosure notice on a property that does not have a mortgage or discovering evidence of activity at a
vacation home or empty rental property.
President Donald J. Trump Approves Mississippi Disaster Declaration
Today, President Donald J. Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Mississippi and ordered
Federal assistance to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, tornadoes,
straight-line winds, and flooding from January 10 to January 11, 2020.
Federal funding is available to State
and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency
work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and
flooding in the counties of Bolivar, Choctaw, Clay, DeSoto, Oktibbeha, Panola, Prentiss, Sunflower, Tishomingo, and
Washington.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures
statewide.
Pete Gaynor, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland
Security, named Terry L. Quarles as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected
areas.
Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the
results of further damage assessments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT: FEMA NEWS DESK AT
(202) 646-3272 ORFEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV
All information provided as is provided by the author for information purposes. Any action taken regarding this
information is the sole responsibility of the actor no matter what age or educational level.
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