Oklahoma Senate Opposes China’s Proposal to Replace the Dollar as the World’s Standard

Republican State Sen. Dan Newberry has won Senate passage for a measure opposing the creation of a new currency to replace the dollar as the world’s standard.

The full Senate approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 16 on Wednesday. Newberry, R-Tulsa, said China’s proposal to create a new currency would undermine America’s dominance in global economics.

“This outrageous proposal is set to be debated at the upcoming G20 meeting in London,” Newberry said. “This poses a huge threat not only to our nation’s economic standing but to our sovereignty. This move would benefit China, and it would be to the detriment of the United States.”
SCR 16 declares the Oklahoma State Legislature’s strong opposition to the proposal to shift the world’s currency away from the dollar.

“Despite the current economic situation, the United States remains the greatest nation on earth,” Newberry said. “Now is the time for people of Oklahoma and across the United States to let our Congress and the President know that we will not tolerate this or any other proposal that would weaken our sovereignty or our world standing.”

Sen. Newberry - Senate Stand for Pro-Life

10th Amendment Right
at Stake

Senator Dan Newberry along with a majority of the Senate voted in favor of Senate Resolution 5 strongly opposing the federal “Freedom of Choice Act.”

President Barack Obama recently promised that one of the top priorities of his new Administration would be to sign into law the “Freedom of Choice Act,” which classifies abortion as a fundamental right. If signed into law, this fundamental right would be equal to the right to free speech and the right to vote, rights that, unlike abortion, are specifically detailed in the United States Constitution.

The Freedom of Choice Act would negate any federal or state pro-life law and would effectively prevent the State of Oklahoma from enacting similar protective measures in the future. The act would invalidate more than 550 federal and state abortion-related laws—laws supported by the majority of the American public.

Senate Resolution 5 also reads, “The ‘Freedom of Choice Act’ seeks to undermine the right and responsibility of the states and the people to debate, vote on, and determine abortion policy.”

State Senator Dan Newberry, R-Tulsa, authored the resolution saying this is not only a protection of the unborn, but a protection of our rights.

“Oklahomans have continually supported pro-life issues and this honorable body has continually passed pro-life measures,” said Newberry. “All would be negated if the Freedom of Choice Act becomes law. This act also causes Oklahomans and United States citizens to give up their 10th amendment right, granting more control to the federal government in determining our rights.”

Sen. Newberry Authors Business Data Protection Bill

State Sen. Dan Newberry has filed legislation to strengthen the state’s laws on business data protection.

SB 1013 adds copying customer lists and business records without authorization to the state’s criminal statutes concerning larceny of trade secrets.

“We have examples every day of individuals stealing information that should be kept private, and using it for personal gain. Theft like this can have serious consequences for the companies that fall victim to it,” said Newberry, R-Tulsa. “We need to strengthen our laws to help protect the rights of our businesses and their owners.”

The bill also amends the definition of “copying” to include the transferring and emailing of trade secrets. Business customer lists and records stored in a computer format or otherwise would be considered trade secrets under the new legislation. Those found guilty of copying, transferring or emailing such articles without authorization with the intent to deprive or withhold control of those trade secrets from the business owner or to use them for personal use would be charged with larceny.

Newberry gave an example where an employee took the client database from the company’s server and emailed it to his personal email. He then attempted to delete the files from the company’s server. Since he was an employee at the time, he could only face civil charges. Newberry said his bill would change that.

“My bill will ensure that these criminals are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. “

President Pro-Tem Coffee Names Oklahoma Senate Committee Vice-Chairs

Senate President Pro Tem Designate Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, named the Senate’s new committee Vice-Chairs on Wednesday. Committee chairs were announced last week.

Under the new committee structure, which was reduced last week from 22 full committees and standing subcommittees to 20, fifteen Republican Senators and five Democrats will assume leadership roles in their respective committees in the 2009-10 legislative session.

“I’m very excited by the energy and expertise represented in this bipartisan list of committee and subcommittee vice-chairs,” said Coffee. “Our state will benefit greatly by the very capable leadership these members of both parties will bring to their new roles over the next two years.”

The State Senate’s committees and committee vice-chairs for the 2009-10 session are:

Agriculture Committee:
Sen. Mike Schulz, R-Altus

Appropriations Committee:
Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City

Business and Labor Committee:
Sen. Dan Newberry, R-Tulsa

Education Committee:
Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond

Energy and Environment Committee:
Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso

Finance Committee:
Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa

General Government Committee:
Sen. Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee

Health and Human Resources Committee:
Sen. Sean Burrage, D-Claremore

Judiciary Committee:
Sen. Susan Paddack, D-Ada

Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee:
Sen. Steve Russell, R-Oklahoma City

Retirement and Insurance Committee:
Sen. Cliff Aldridge, R-Midwest City

Rules Committee:
Sen. Earl Garrison, D-Muskogee

Tourism and Wildlife Committee:
Sen. Jerry Ellis, D-Valliant

Transportation Committee:
Sen. Bryce Marlatt, R-Woodward

Veterans and Military Affairs Committee:
Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton

Appropriations Subcommittee on Education:
Sen. John Ford, R-Bartlesville

Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government:
Sen. Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa

Appropriations Subcomm. on Health & Human Services:
Sen. Patrick Anderson, R-Enid

Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources:
Sen. Ron Justice, R-Chickasha

Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety:
Sen. Jim Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City

For the first time in the state’s history, Republicans have the majority in the Oklahoma State Senate.

Senate Republicans picked up two seats on Election Day to win a 26 to 22 majority.

Meet-n-Greet reception in support of Dan Newberry

You are cordially invited to a Meet-n-Greet reception in support of
Dan Newberry

with special guest
U.S. Senator
Tom Coburn, M.D.

Also Attending:
Congressman John Sullivan
Senate Co-President
Glenn Coffee
Senator Mike Mazzei
Senator Brian Bingman
Representative Rex Duncan

Thursday, October 23, 2008
5:30 p.m.


Chastain’s Cafe
122 N. Main Street
Sand Springs, OK


Please RSVP to Claudia at (918) 830-7834
or email claudia@dannewberry.com

U.S. Senator Tom Coburn is not soliciting contributions from prohibited federal sources (corporations, labor unions, federal contractors or foreign nationals lacking permanent resident status) or in excess of federal contribution limits of $2,300 per election per individual.

High Gas Prices? Nancy Riley Gives Thanks

Hat ip to Mike @ The McCarville Report Online

Riley faces 2 GOP challengers for Senate seat
By: BOB LEWIS, Managing Editor

BROKEN ARROW - Megee, Newberry hope to unseat incumbent

In her eight years as a state senator from District 37, Nancy C. Riley has assumed a variety of leadership roles and has established contacts throughout state government. Those two factors, she said, are the primary reason she should be re-elected.

Pointing to the number of elective offices from this area that will be held by legislative newcomers, Riley said it is more important than ever for District 37 to have somebody with a strong, effective, proven voice in Oklahoma City.

That need, she contended, gives her a clear edge over Republican challengers Jan Megee, an employee of the City of Tulsa, and Dan Newberry, a mortgage broker.

District 37 stretches from Sand Springs through Glenpool, Jenks, Bixby and a small portion of southwest Broken Arrow.

Since being elected to the state senate, the former first-grade teacher has been named Democratic caucus whip, gained a voting seat on the National Council of State Legislators and Southern Regional Legislative Council and is a state team leader for business and economic development.

The coming year, she said, will be especially challenging with immigration, roads and bridges and funding for education at the top of her priority list.

"It may sound crass, but thank goodness for high gas prices," she said. "That is what is helping sustain the state's economy."

Political observers say the outcome of the race will play a big role in determining which party controls the upper chamber next year. The senate is tied with 24 Republicans and 24 Democrats.

Riley originally was elected as a Republican, but switched parties in 2006, effectively denying the GOP control of the senate.

According to her campaign Web site, she clashed with Republicans over tactics and the fact some GOP leaders attempted to undermine her campaign for the nomination for lieutenant governor.

After that race was over, she became a Democrat.

Jan Megee said she hopes voters in state Senate District 37 aren't confused by the terms "political newcomer" and "political novice."

As a first-time candidate, she readily admits to being a political newcomer. But as an administrative aid for the Tulsa City Council and with a quarter-century of public service under her belt, "novice" just doesn't fit.

"My job is to serve as the first point of contact for people calling the city council," she noted. "I am responsible for researching questions or problems they have so the council can make an informed decision to get them helped. I have seen and learned a lot about politics and the political system."

Megee said because of the nature of her job, she felt it was important to remain politically neutral to the public. But, after coming to the realization that people shouldn't complain about problems unless they are willing to step up and do something about them, she decided to throw her hat in the ring.

If sent to Oklahoma City, Megee said her top priority will be enhancing economic development by helping make Oklahoma a more business-friendly state.

"I would work to lessen the tax burden on business, especially small business, and do away with the over-abundance of taxes that come disguised as permits to operate," she said.

Also high on her priority list are upgrading the state's roads, highways and bridges and coming to grips with immigration issues.

"The people in this district I visit with tell me they want 1804 upheld," she said. "The real problem here is not immigration but people who are in this country illegally."

Megee noted that funding of education would likely be one of the legislature's toughest challenges.

"I really think we are top-heavy in administration across the state," she said. "I can see the value of consolidating some of the really small districts and I support the concept of vouchers because I think they will make our public schools more competitive and that will be good for everyone."

Dan Newberry is hoping to get started on the second best job he's ever had.

The best he said came in 1989 when he pestered his way into being named batboy for the Tulsa Drillers baseball team. Number 2 on his list would be state senator from District 37.

An Oral Roberts University graduate, Newberry served as a youth minister before entering the mortgage world. He founded Homeland Federal Mortgage five years ago.

If successful in defeating fellow Republican Jan Megee in the July 29 primary and incumbent Nancy C. Riley in the general election, Newberry said he will take a strong business perspective to Oklahoma City.

At the top of his priorities is doing everything possible to reduce taxes by cutting spending and using proven business principals to enhance efficiency.

Attraction of high paying jobs is also a necessity, he said.

"Oklahoma's per capita income is down 2.3 percent, yet our unemployment rate is unchanged," he said. "That tells me we are replacing good paying jobs for those that aren't so good. That trend must be reversed."

As the father of two daughters, Newberry said he is concerned the state ranks at the bottom regionally in teacher pay.

"I am also concerned that half of our high school graduates don't go to college and of those that do, only about 3 percent graduate," he said.

In visiting with Broken Arrow voters, Newberry said the most common comments he hears involve roads and bridges and gasoline prices.

"The state has set aside a lot of money for road work," he said. "The challenge will be in making sure District 37 gets its fair share of those funds."

"I am committed to making that happen," he said.