Latest news with #HouseBill2783
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Not same as Swastika': Virgina enacts law to criminalize display of Nazi symbols; to prioritize ‘Hakenkreuz' instead
ANI file photo The state of Virginia in the US has enacted a new law criminalizing the display of Nazi symbols, marking a win for accuracy and religious freedom and equitable treatment for 'Dharmic communities' as per the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA). Virginia has officially enacted the House Bill 2783 which distinguished between 'Hakenkreuz' the German word for 'Hooked Cross' and the sacred symbol of Swastika revered by many religions. 'The nuance in this law was the result of a united grassroots campaign from community leaders and Viriginia residents, alarmed at the terms of the original bill which had threatened prison terms for displaying a symbol that is almost ubiquitous in our temples and houses. This is the power of advocacy,' said ConHNA through a post on X. 'We are pleased to see how Virginia is tackling growing hate while being sensitive to minority groups that revere the Swastika', said the president of CoHNA. 'Now the need of the hour is for the media, law enforcement, and educational institutions in Virginia to update their language to reflect this critical nuance and ensure fair treatment for all,' he added. Initially, the bill had incorrectly equated the Nazi symbol to the Swastika, as per CoHNA. Despite concerns, the bill passed unanimously in the Virginia House of Delegates with a 97-0 vote. The billll also explicitly defines 'Nazi Swastika' is not the 'same as symbol of peace and prosperity used by Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, or Native American religions.' 'By explicitly delineating the legal status of the Swastika, the statute not only condemns and prohibits its misuse as a symbol of hatred, but also affirms and honors its sacred meaning within Hinduism and other Dharmic traditions. In doing so, the Commonwealth of Virginia sets a precedent for a more informed, respectful, and inclusive civic discourse', said Srilekha Palle a member of the Board of Directors at the American Hindu Coalition.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TSET sues Oklahoma leaders over new law it says threatens its independence
House Speaker Kyle Hilbert speaks to news reporters on April 24, 2025, in his office at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY – A constitutionally created board overseeing nearly $2 billion in public dollars on Tuesday asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to overturn a recent state law saying it threatens its independence. House Bill 2783, which Gov. Kevin Stitt let become law without his signature, allows the appointing authorities of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust board to remove members at will. It also limits members of the board to seven years. Members currently serve staggered, seven-year terms and are tasked with overseeing the public endowment fund. 'The purpose of having staggered terms is to provide continuity by new appointees joining other board members who have institutional knowledge,' the suit said. The seven members are appointed by the governor, treasurer, state superintendent, attorney general, state auditor and leaders of the Oklahoma House and Senate. Each of those officials is named as a defendant in the suit. The suit asks the high court to put the law, which takes effect Aug. 28, on hold and find it unconstitutional and invalid. 'As I have stated publicly for several months, the Legislature stands ready to work with TSET and our members were genuinely excited about commitments made by them at the start of session to collaborate on projects,' said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. 'Unfortunately, they've since decided to change course and now, instead of ever talking to us about their concerns with pending legislation, are going straight to the courts.' TSET is not a private sector entity, Hilbert said. 'This endowment consists entirely of public funds and as such, the elected members of the Legislature will exercise our authority in overseeing the expenditure of public funds,' Hilbert said. Lawmakers over the years have unsuccessfully attempted to force TSET to fund various projects, including Medicaid expansion. Some Democratic lawmakers have said they believe the new law is retaliation and an attempt to strip the board of its independence after TSET declined to immediately provide $50 million for a University of Oklahoma children's pediatric hospital in Oklahoma City. Lawmakers put $200 million into the project. Oklahoma voters created TSET, an endowment trust, in 2000 through a constitutional amendment after 46 states sued tobacco companies. The companies paid the states damages for illnesses caused by smoking. TSET's Board of Investors invests the funds. The earnings, which have grown to about $2 billion, are used to support efforts to improve health. 'The intent of voters was to keep politics out of the administration of the TSET trust, which has grown to about $1.9 billion,' said Bob Burke, an attorney representing TSET. He said TSET uses the fund's interest to pay for about $80 million annually in grants and programs including the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, cancer research, and other community efforts to improve health. The suit alleges that only a vote of the people can alter the terms board members serve. 'Allowing an Appointing Authority to replace his or her appointment to the board at will violates the plain and unambiguous meaning of the constitutional provision and the voters in approving the amendment,' the suit said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TSET board plans to sue to stop a new Oklahoma law restructuring its membership
Members of the Oklahoma Legislature listen as Gov. Kevin Stitt gives his State of the State Address in the House chamber of the state Capitol on Feb. 3, 2025. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY – A constitutionally created board charged with overseeing billions of taxpayer dollars plans to sue to block a new law that allows state leaders to alter its makeup at any time. The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust voted 5-0 Thursday to file a lawsuit challenging House Bill 2783. The measure, which became law Thursday without Gov. Kevin Stitt's signature, requires the board appointees to serve at the will of the appointing entity and limits that service to seven years. The board members currently serve seven-year staggered terms. The seven members are appointed by the governor, treasurer, state superintendent, attorney general, state auditor and the leaders of the House and Senate and must have experience in health care or programs benefitting children or seniors. Some Democrats believe the measure is legislative retaliation and an attempt to strip the board of its independence after TSET declined to immediately provide $50 million for a University of Oklahoma children's pediatric heart hospital in Oklahoma City. 'What we are doing here is we are using legislative power to extract retaliation,' said Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa, debating against the measure earlier this month. Lawmakers put $200 million toward the project. 'These changes in statute appear to conflict with the Oklahoma Constitution, and the board needs clarity on this issue in order to protect the integrity of the TSET trust and ensure that any changes are consistent with the will of the voters who created TSET,' said Thomas Larson, the agency's spokesperson. Oklahoma voters created TSET, an endowment trust, in 2000 after 46 states sued tobacco companies. The tobacco companies paid states damages for illnesses caused by smoking. TSET's Board of Investors invests the funds. The earnings, which have grown to about $2 billion, are used to support efforts to improve health. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
