Archive for the ‘Attorney General News’ Category
OK AG Puts EPA on Notice
Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 March 2011 03:03 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 8 March 2011 02:23
From Attorney General Scott Pruitt:
Attorney General E. Scott Pruitt, while at a National Attorneys General Summit in Washington D.C., today responded to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement they will reject Oklahoma’s State Implementation Plan, crafted to address the EPA rules on Regional Haze.
“The State Implementation Plan was a thoughtful and well-crafted plan that will achieve greater visibility within the timeline than was mandated by the Regional Haze rule,” said Pruitt.
“The action taken today by the EPA inappropriately usurps the state’s authority to dictate our own energy and environmental policies. The appropriate stakeholders to address Oklahoma’s energy and environmental needs are Oklahoma’s citizens, energy producers, industry consumers and policymakers.
“Let the EPA be put on notice, as Attorney General, I plan to do all that I can to protect and preserve the state’s authority and responsibility under the Clean Air Act to craft and implement solutions for our state,” said Pruitt.
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IN: GOP Considers Fines against Missing Democrats
Last Updated on Thursday, 3 March 2011 02:39 Written by rslcpol Thursday, 3 March 2011 02:39
From WISHtv.com:
Democrats from the Indiana House of Representatives are still in Urbana, Illinois and Republicans are prepared to take new steps designed to bring them back to the Statehouse. Those steps will be announced at 1:30 this afternoon..
Look for Republicans to call for an official censure of every absent Democrat.
That would establish a permanent record of this walkout. Republicans are also considering fines against the Democrats.The fines could be set at any amount. They are being sought because again this morning only 61 state representatives answered the roll call, six short of the number required for a quorum to conduct business. Democrats have sent word they won’t show up tomorrow, either.
“The opportunity costs of the last two weeks have taken a serious toll on the taxpayers,” says House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis,) “and we’re getting a lot of discussion from taxpayers who are insensitive about this and it’s time to compel their attendance back here.”
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WV: AG ready to run again in 2012?
Last Updated on Thursday, 17 February 2011 02:54 Written by rslcpol Thursday, 17 February 2011 02:54
From The Record:
It seems state Attorney General Darrell McGraw will be on the ballot again in 2012.
While he didn’t outright announce his candidacy, McGraw seemed to hint at it Wednesday.
“I’d like the opportunity to serve as Attorney General again,” McGraw said after a press conference in his offices. “This is a job my life was dedicated to since I was born.”
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve the people of West Virginia as Attorney General.”
McGraw was first elected Attorney General in 1992. In 2008, he was elected to a record fifth term as Attorney General.
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New GA AG Off to Fast Start
Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 February 2011 03:02 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 16 February 2011 02:55
From ajc.com:
The Georgia Attorney General’s Office now has a Facebook page and is on Twitter and, in just the past month, has issued more press releases than it did all of last year.
Sam Olens, the former Cobb County Commission chairman, has presented himself repeatedly on the public stage as the state’s new top lawyer. His style is especially noticeable when comparing the Republican to his Democratic predecessor, Thurbert Baker — not for party but for personality.
Baker, who resigned to run an unsuccessful campaign for governor, rarely took questions from the media and infrequently drew attention to the AG office’s accomplishments.
For example, Baker sent out 11 press releases last year, six fewer than in 2009, according to the office’s website. Since Olens took the oath of office Jan. 10, he has posted 13.
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WV: AG Says 2012 Funds can’t be used in 2011 Special Election
Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 February 2011 02:53 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 16 February 2011 02:53
From The Record:
Attorney General Darrell McGraw’s office says gubernatorial candidates who raised campaign money for committees for the 2012 election can’t use those funds for this year’s special election.
In a letter dated Feb. 11 to Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, assistant Attorney General Barbara Allen stressed that the letter is not a binding legal opinion.
“A candidate with an (existing) committee for a 2012 election may only contribute excess funds from that committee after the general election, which would eliminate any possibility of the candidate transferrin funds from his or her 2012 election committee to his 2011 election committee,” Allen wrote.
Tennant had sent a letter to McGraw asking for his help in interpreting state code, specifically those laws on campaign finances.
Tennant spokesman Jake Glance said copies of the letter had been sent to gubernatorial candidates.
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WA AG McKenna Takes on Gangs
Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 February 2011 02:49 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 16 February 2011 02:45
From AuburnReporter.com:
Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna and Representative Charles Ross, R-Naches, this week announced a new proposal to fund programs that prevent young people from joining gangs and offer ways for current gang members to find a way out.
McKenna and Ross suggest setting aside a portion of money from consumer protection settlements negotiated by the Attorney General’s Office — approximately $1 million per year — for an account dedicated to such programs. Language creating the program will be introduced today to a bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Ross and Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw.
“The gang crisis is a public safety emergency that deserves a response this year,” McKenna said. “Our proposal to generate investments in prevention programs will pay off in years to come, while our anti-gang protection order and other measures will provide immediate tools for communities seeking to make their neighborhoods safer.”
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New Georgia AG lays out his Legislative Agenda
Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 February 2011 02:20 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 16 February 2011 02:20
From OnlineAthens:
State Attorney General Sam Olens announced a broad legislative agenda Tuesday, including toughening penalties under the state Sunshine Law and seeking new powers to prosecute human trafficking and mortgage fraud.
Olens acknowledged that he is taking a more aggressive approach than his predecessor, Democrat Thurbert Baker.
“One of the things I’ve sought is to be much more proactive,” he said.
The human-trafficking legislation, House Bill 200, boosts penalties and removes some loopholes that have harmed other cases, he said. Olens grew interested in the issue and approached state Rep. Ed Lindsey, R-Atlanta, about working with him on the bill, which is pending in a House committee.
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TX: AG and State Senator Take on “Sexting” with Legislation
Last Updated on Friday, 11 February 2011 02:07 Written by rslcpol Friday, 11 February 2011 02:07
From yourlakehoustonnews.com:
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Monday joined State Sen. Kirk Watson, who announced the filing of Senate Bill 407, legislation that will help curb the dangerous practice of sexting.
If enacted, SB 407 would classify a sexting offense as a Class C misdemeanor for first-time violators less than 18 years old. Judges would be authorized to sentence minors convicted of sexting – and one of the minor’s parents – to participate in an education program about sexting’s long-term harmful consequences. The new law would also allow teens to apply to the court to have the sexting offense expunged from their records.
“Studies show that teenage students are increasingly taking, sending and receiving explicit pictures of themselves on their mobile telephones,” Attorney General Abbott said. “This dangerous trend is harmful to young Texans. We are joining with Sen. Kirk Watson to address the growing problem of sexting and educate – not criminalize – young Texans who make the unwise decision to participate in it.”
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MI: AG Creates Public Integrity Unit
Last Updated on Friday, 11 February 2011 01:59 Written by rslcpol Friday, 11 February 2011 01:59
From Wzzm:
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has created a Public Integrity Unit aimed at stepping up the fight against corruption in state and local government.
Schuette says in a statement Thursday that corruption scandals have “damaged the public’s trust in government” and left Michigan with a questionable national reputation. He says there will be “no more Kwames,” a reference to disgraced former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
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WA: Governor McKenna? Here’s a Potential Republican AG Candidate
Last Updated on Friday, 11 February 2011 01:37 Written by rslcpol Friday, 11 February 2011 01:37
If Rob McKenna decides to run for Governor in 2012, at least one Republican with a solid name has been mentioned for Attorney General. Meet Reagan Dunn.
From The Seattle Times:
With state Attorney General Rob McKenna widely expected to run for governor in 2012, the scrambling has already started among potential candidates for attorney general.
Just about everyone expects King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson to announce his plans to run for AG soon as a Democrat. (Ferguson said he’ll make a formal announcement on his future in the next few days.)
Meanwhile, Republicans are laying the groundwork for one of Ferguson’s colleagues: King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn.
The King County GOP registered the domain name “DunnForAG.com” this week, according to a “Whois” record.
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