Latest news with #Standridge
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill directing Alabama agencies to use ‘Gulf of America' dies in state senate
ALABAMA (WHNT) — A bill requiring Alabama to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the 'Gulf of America' died in a Senate committee Tuesday. The bill's sponsor, Rep. David Standridge, filed the bill in support of the president's Executive Order renaming the Gulf. In a meeting of the Alabama Senate's County and Municipal Government Committee, Standridge said he wanted to provide guidance to state and local agencies. Who is running for governor of Alabama in 2026? 'For our state purposes, you have to buy materials,' Standridge said. 'We have to buy reference materials, maps, things like that, and I think that it's just important that we give them direction on what they buy.' Several democratic senators questioned the proposal. Sen. Kirk Hatcher called the legislation a 'cultural distraction,' and Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison pointed out the Gulf's longstanding name has historical significance. 'I would hope somebody went back and looked at the history of why it's named the Gulf of Mexico,' Coleman-Madison said. 'Again, we're changing history.' A final question from Sen. Merika Coleman highlighted uncertainty about the bill's price tag. Standridge responded, saying the total cost was unknown. He went on to say that his bill would not require agencies to immediately update their materials if doing so would create a financial committee's vote ended in a tie, which means the bill will not advance. Similar legislation has progressed in Florida and Texas. Louisiana's governor signed an order requiring all state documents to use the term Gulf of America. The bill could technically be reintroduced in Alabama, but the four legislative days left in the session leave little time for it to pass this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Republicans in Gulf states push to embrace Gulf of America name
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Southern Republicans are pushing their states to formally embrace the name Gulf of America — the name President Donald Trump has bestowed on the Gulf of Mexico — and require its use on maps, textbooks and signs. This week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills requiring the use of 'Gulf of America' in state law and textbooks. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry in March signed an executive order directing state materials to reflect the name change. The Louisiana Department of Education announced an update to state social studies standards to reflect the name change. Republicans are looking to cement the use of the new name designated by Trump, saying it is a point of national pride. Some Democrats have criticized the efforts as a transparent political measure. The Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday voted 72-26 to advance legislation to require state and local government entities and their employees to use the name Gulf of America. It would also require state and local entities to make 'reasonable efforts' to update maps, textbooks, websites, and other materials. The bill, which passed on a vote split along party lines, now moves to the Alabama Senate. Republican Rep. David Standridge, the sponsor of the Alabama legislation, said he brought the bill to give clear direction to government entities on which name to use. He said there had been confusion about what to do. 'Right now, we have an executive order that the President issued. This bill will make it clear, when you buy maps, when you buy textbooks,' Standridge said. Democrats criticized the measure as a political gesture that will cost money and end the use of a name that has been closely linked with Southern states. 'It's time for us to stop doing foolish things, and start doing things that will move us forward,' Rep. Barbara Drummond, a Democrat from Mobile, said during debate. Standridge said government entities would not be required to purchase new maps and other materials, but to make sure the new name is reflected whenever they purchase new materials. One lawmaker questioned if Republicans were rushing to embrace a name that could fade when Trump leaves office. 'Are we going to change the name back to the Gulf of Mexico if we get another president in another four years?' Rep. Kenyatte Hassell, a Democrat, asked. Standridge acknowledged that another president might change the name but added that he didn't think it was likely. 'I really can't myself imagine why a president would want to change from America to Mexico,' Standridge said after the vote.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republicans in Gulf states push to embrace Gulf of America name
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Southern Republicans are pushing their states to formally embrace the name Gulf of America — the name President Donald Trump has bestowed on the Gulf of Mexico — and require its use on maps, textbooks and signs. This week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills requiring the use of 'Gulf of America' in state law and textbooks. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry in March signed an executive order directing state materials to reflect the name change. The Louisiana Department of Education announced an update to state social studies standards to reflect the name change. Republicans are looking to cement the use of the new name designated by Trump, saying it is a point of national pride. Some Democrats have criticized the efforts as a transparent political measure. The Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday voted 72-26 to advance legislation to require state and local government entities and their employees to use the name Gulf of America. It would also require state and local entities to make 'reasonable efforts' to update maps, textbooks, websites, and other materials. The bill, which passed on a vote split along party lines, now moves to the Alabama Senate. Republican Rep. David Standridge, the sponsor of the Alabama legislation, said he brought the bill to give clear direction to government entities on which name to use. He said there had been confusion about what to do. 'Right now, we have an executive order that the President issued. This bill will make it clear, when you buy maps, when you buy textbooks,' Standridge said. Democrats criticized the measure as a political gesture that will cost money and end the use of a name that has been closely linked with Southern states. 'It's time for us to stop doing foolish things, and start doing things that will move us forward,' Rep. Barbara Drummond, a Democrat from Mobile, said during debate. Standridge said government entities would not be required to purchase new maps and other materials, but to make sure the new name is reflected whenever they purchase new materials. One lawmaker questioned if Republicans were rushing to embrace a name that could fade when Trump leaves office. 'Are we going to change the name back to the Gulf of Mexico if we get another president in another four years?' Rep. Kenyatte Hassell, a Democrat, asked. Standridge acknowledged that another president might change the name but added that he didn't think it was likely. 'I really can't myself imagine why a president would want to change from America to Mexico,' Standridge said after the vote.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Central Texas continues to grapple with use of license plate readers
SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – The San Marcos City Council voted on Tuesday to postpone its decision to purchase more license plate readers, citing the need for additional time to review policies on data security and privacy concerns. This move follows concerns raised by some Austin City Council members at their meeting last week. The San Marcos City Council agenda item to use around $125,000 to purchase more of the technology was in front of council members in February. At that meeting, Council Member Amanda Rodriguez motioned to postpone the decision to June. The agenda item came up for a second time on Tuesday, when it was punted again to a scheduled meeting in June. 'The first batch of cameras were originally done in 2022,' said San Marcos Chief of Police Stan Standridge in February. 'License plate recognition technology is currently underway and has been underway for several years,' he added. 'We're just simply adding additional cameras.' If council approves the new batch of cameras in June, San Marcos will have 33 operational cameras throughout its jurisdiction. License plate reader cameras help find homicide suspect, HCSO says 'I believe what we have today is a very well-vetted policy that does contemplate your privacy concerns as well as external data sharing with other law enforcement agencies,' Standridge said at a March work session. 'License plate recognition was built with privacy in mind,' he continued. 'We are using these cameras in the context of criminal investigations,' Standridge said. Concerns over privacy and data security are not isolated to San Marcos. Austin has consistently grappled with the use of the technology for the last several years. 'We believe it blatantly violates the Fourth Amendment's prohibitions against unreasonable search and seizure,' Kevin Welch, president of the EFF Austin board, told KXAN's Grace Reader in 2022. Austin's year-long license plate reader (LPR) pilot program began in March 2024. On March 27, Austin City Council voted 8-3 to extend the program for another 30 days. The city will decide later this year whether to permanently use the 40 fixed license plate readers. 'I do believe the landscape has changed dramatically since the last time LPRs were in front of this body,' said Council Member Mike Siegel, who represents District 7. 'This is based on the complete disregard for civil rights and the rule of law by other governmental entities,' said Siegel, who was one of the three dissenting votes. 'I'm concerned that continuing the LPR program will put our residents at risk.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Buffer Zones': Senate passes bill banning new homeless shelters near schools
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – On Tuesday, the Oklahoma Senate advanced a new proposed measure that would require new homeless shelters to be within 3,000 feet of schools around children. Senate Bill 484, authored by Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, seeks compliance prohibiting new homeless shelters from being located within 3,000 feet of schools in areas with fewer than 300,000 residents. 'Senate Bill 484 has undergone significant changes since I first introduced it, but at its core, this measure remains focused on preserving public safety,' Standridge said. 'I've spoken with countless parents, educators, and school officials in my district who strongly support creating buffer zones between local schools and homeless shelters, which can become hotspots for drug use, crime, and other activities that threaten the safety and well-being of our children.' Standridge noted, violence shelters and youth shelters are exempt. OKC citizens will still review viral OKCPD use of force investigation following resignation 'This legislation will not close any homeless shelters because it does not affect existing facilities, and it does not apply to shelters operating within churches or other places of worship. I firmly believe that this bill strikes a thoughtful balance between providing community services to those in need while ensuring our schools have a safe and secure environment for kids to learn and play,' said Standridge. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
