ADVOCACY ALERT | Your voice can help protect Oklahomans from two bills that endanger vulnerable communities, criminalize homelessness

Legislative committees this week are scheduled to hear two bills that would criminalize homelessness (SB 1854) and bar Oklahoma families from critical services (HB 3071).

Legislative committees this week are scheduled to consider two bills that would harm Oklahomans in already vulnerable committees. SB 1854 would punish people without housing, but would not address homelessness in Oklahoma.  HB 3071 would bar Oklahoma families from critical services. Tell lawmakers to vote NO on these bills.   We have provided convenient email forms that you can use to contact lawmakers in each of the committees scheduled to hear these bills on Tuesday afternoon. Punishing people without housing won't help address homelessness in Oklahoma. Ask members of the House Rules committee to vote NO on SB 1854.    Oklahoma lawmakers are set to consider a bill that would fine, or even jail, people without housing for sleeping on public land. Under SB 1854, people without housing would be subject to a $50 fine or up to 15 days in jail for sleeping on state-owned land.   SB 1854 will be heard in the House Rules committee on Tuesday, April 2nd at 1:30pm. We need your voice to tell members of the House Rules committee members to vote against SB 1854.   Points to consider:  Jailing or fining people for being homeless does not stop them from being unhoused. However, adding a criminal record to someone without housing DOES make it even harder for them to find housing. The best way to combat homelessness is to increase access to affordable housing. If legislators want to combat homelessness, they should start there. Learn more with OK Policy's recent article Criminalizing homelessness is cruel and ineffective. Use the convenient contact form linked below to email each member of the House Rules committee and ask them to vote NO on SB 1854. You can also look up their contact information on the Oklahoma House website.  Email House Rules Committee About SB 1854 Ask the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote NO on HB 3071 that will bar Oklahoma families from critical services   Oklahoma lawmakers are set to consider HB 3071, a bill that prohibits state funds from being used to provide "benefits" to undocumented individuals. The vague and punitive language could result in Oklahoma residents being denied critical services that protect life and safety and it would disrupt how nonprofits that receive state grants carry out their charitable missions.    This bill is bad for Oklahoma. It could deny critical services to state residents who pay millions in taxes and hurt already vulnerable communities. - - - Points to consider: Most state and federal benefits are already out of reach for undocumented immigrants. Clamping down even further could affect critical services. Food banks and community health centers who help people in need could lose funding.  Confusion around the law could result in immigrant families with U.S. citizen family members forgoing important aid they qualify for. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear this bill at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 2.   Email Senate Judiciary Committee About HB 3071 Change is possible when we work together.   Together Oklahoma is a statewide group of community advocates who want to see Oklahoma better serve all residents. We have community groups that meet around the state, along with statewide affinity groups meeting in key areas including justice reform, health care, economic security, and democracy/elections. Connect with fellow advocates around the state and work towards change together! Learn More Contact Together Oklahoma, a program of  Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. Detroit Ave #1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 United States  918-794-3944 | info@okpolicy.org   Connect with us:   If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe.