Declarations

Deficient Roads

“Forty years of underfunding isn’t going to be reversed in 10 years. … We need to stay on course.”

—Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s Terri Angier comments on a recent report showing that 28 percent of Oklahoma roads are in poor condition and another 42 percent are in mediocre or fair condition.

Bottled Water Provided

“While additional testing is completed, DPS immediately shut off all drinking fountains in the affected schools until further notice and is providing additional bottled water for students and staff.”

—Michelle Zdrodowski, spokeswoman for Detroit Public Schools, on actions taken by the district after elevated lead or copper levels were found in the water at 19 Detroit schools. The city is testing water in its schools following the lead-tainted water crisis in nearby Flint.

Robust Equality

“This is the most robust racial equality bill in the nation.”

—State Sen. Isadore Hall said a proposal she has made would build on California’s existing fair pay law by adding race or ethnicity to the requirement that employers justify any pay discrepancies between men and women who do substantially similar work.

10th Anniversary

“Ten years ago, Massachusetts led the country by creating a landmark healthcare coverage law.”

—Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said on April 12 in marking the 10th anniversary of a healthcare law that later served as a model for the federal Affordable Care Act. State officials say the law led to near-universal coverage.

Deeply Concerned

“I am deeply concerned about this filing and the impact it could have on consumers. Georgia law prohibits me from stopping or delaying this increase unless an actuarial examination proves the rate to be legally excessive.”

—Georgia Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens responds to a filing by Allstate that proposes to increase auto insurance rates in the state by at least 25 percent. Hudgens has launched an investigation into the filing.