JamesCaruso
Staff member
It’s not clear to me exactly what changed in the 24 hours since Warren mentioned “the possible demise of the bill on the horizon”??
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After witnessing the continued decrease of involvement in the SpotterNetwork staff in serving SN members with troubleshooting issues recently, I have unilaterally decided to terminate the relationship between SpotterNetwork's support and Stormtrack. I have witnessed multiple users unable to receive support weeks after initiating help threads on the forum. I find this lack of response from SpotterNetwork officials disappointing and a failure to hold up their end of the agreement that was made years ago, before I took over management of this site. In my opinion, having Stormtrack users sit and wait for so long to receive help on SpotterNetwork issues on the Stormtrack forums reflects poorly not only on SpotterNetwork, but on Stormtrack and (by association) me as well. Since the issue has not been satisfactorily addressed, I no longer wish for the Stormtrack forum to be associated with SpotterNetwork.
I apologize to those who continue to have issues with the service and continue to see their issues left unaddressed. Please understand that the connection between ST and SN was put in place long before I had any say over it. But now that I am the "captain of this ship," it is within my right (nay, duty) to make adjustments as I see necessary. Ending this relationship is such an adjustment.
For those who continue to need help, I recommend navigating a web browswer to SpotterNetwork's About page, and seeking the individuals listed on that page for all further inquiries about SpotterNetwork.
From this moment forward, the SpotterNetwork sub-forum has been hidden/deleted and there will be no assurance that any SpotterNetwork issues brought up in any of Stormtrack's other sub-forums will be addressed. Do not rely on Stormtrack for help with SpotterNetwork issues.
Sincerely, Jeff D.
Oklahoma Weather Tracking Licensure Legislation
- Thread starter JamesCaruso
- Start date
Randy Zipser
EF0
Perhaps an easy and quick way for an OK resident to start a real opposition campaign like I suggested above in post #374 would be to open a crowd-funding account on GoFundMe or similar safe platform, to solicit funds to hire a lobbyist to fight our (out-of-state) opposition cause (from within OK). If this would attract, say 100 people at twenty-bucks apiece, two-grand could be raised quickly for this purpose. Of course, the person(s) doing this would first need to get all the facts, numbers, and details about how to go about this from the Oklahoma NASL or OKSPA (see post #349) to determine if this approach is even doable for the funds that likely could be raised in the time still left before a final vote is taken.
Warren Faidley
Supporter
It was a ploy to gain more time. The new language comes out sometime today. I'm told it's just as bad. They apparently tired to add some pacifying language that is basically irrelevant and not actual law. We will know shortly. There is increasing agitation on X, including many of the more popular chasers. To say some of them are "uber pissed-off" is an understatement. There is apparently a big meeting on Monday between chasers and legislators. I'll post the new revision when I have it.
Jeff Smith
EF3
Thanks Warren for sticking in this fight with us! As an Oklahoma resident, I have reached out to my station (that I chase for part time) which already has done a watered down story on it as well as contacted legislators. My social media influence is basically zilch but I have been active against it there as well FWIW.
Warren Faidley
Supporter
First report is no major revisions. I should have a copy soon. People are going to have to make some tough decisions if they want to fight this like hell or cower. There is little time between now and the vote in April / May.
Warren Faidley
Supporter
Warren Faidley
Supporter
Steve Holmes
EF2
Any evidence that Ryan Hall has taken a stand on this bill? I found nothing on his FB or Twitter pages. His Youtube page says he has 2.46 *million* subscribers. Divide by 50 and that's nearly 50,000 in OK. If he said the word, they'd blow up the Legislature's switchboard.
Anyone leaning on *him*?
Anyone leaning on *him*?
Dan Robinson
EF5
Warren Faidley
Supporter
RE: Ryan Hall, this is my problem. Guys like him could easily set the chase community and OK viewership on fire, but he doesn't. He does not take the time to see the greatest dangers are a lot more complex than worrying about his viewership. I guess he does not care if the bill passes, ignoring that it will spawn similar legislation in other states. This is why I'm sick of fighting it. I have zero skin in the game other than the few times I chase in OK in mostly NOT FOR PROFIT scenarios. I'll have zero respect for him in the future if he does not step up the plate and become a lot more aggressive. He may have the most to lose of any chaser / live broadcaster.
I should also point out that the NOAA employment terminations are taking a lot of the air and bandwidth out of this fight.
I should also point out that the NOAA employment terminations are taking a lot of the air and bandwidth out of this fight.
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Randy Zipser
EF0
As soon as we see confirmation of some more movement of the bill through the legislative committees (or wherever it is now in their process), I'm confident this tread will "light up" a bit more. What surprises me is that the people who post on this thread are generally the same one who are following the NOAA firings. Why aren't more of ST's total membership interested in these two issues, especially considering that they both could affect everyone interested in storm chasing who posts here and elsewhere on social media? For ST members who are "our eyes and ears on the Oklahoma legislature," please continue to keep us updated on the latest developments (despite the ENH risk in your area today!)...
Warren Faidley
Supporter
I believe many older, veteran chasers simply get comfortable in their armchairs and don't have the energy or desire to become involved. They are the same ones who let the circus take over chasing without putting up a fight. Such is human nature and I'm not faulting those who choose to remain silent but history will remember them for what it's worth. Events like this define a chaser's legacy.
If the bill passes, there will likely be mass panic caused by both the actual law and rumors. Reality can hit you in the ass like a taser. Even though it won't take effect until next November, I anticipate TV news crews and stations will start using the Professional License to promote themselves and belittle "amateurs." Next season, I fear we will witness a lot of tension, anger, road rage, accidents (some possibly fatal) and unfortunately violence. There have been some "fringe" chasers we've seen over the years who might take matters into their own hands after encountering a road block or travel delayed by a TV crew. I hope not, but adding 80+ aggressive chasers with emergency vehicle permissions could lead to a chasing catastrophe of biblical proportions. Social media will melt down like Chernobyl. In other words, chase in Oklahoma at your own risk.
If the bill passes, there will likely be mass panic caused by both the actual law and rumors. Reality can hit you in the ass like a taser. Even though it won't take effect until next November, I anticipate TV news crews and stations will start using the Professional License to promote themselves and belittle "amateurs." Next season, I fear we will witness a lot of tension, anger, road rage, accidents (some possibly fatal) and unfortunately violence. There have been some "fringe" chasers we've seen over the years who might take matters into their own hands after encountering a road block or travel delayed by a TV crew. I hope not, but adding 80+ aggressive chasers with emergency vehicle permissions could lead to a chasing catastrophe of biblical proportions. Social media will melt down like Chernobyl. In other words, chase in Oklahoma at your own risk.
gdlewen
EF4
SB158 is slated to go before the Senate Appropriations Committee next. They meet tomorrow at 1:30PM CST, but as of just now, no agenda has been posted for the meeting, so we don't know if SB158 will be heard in Appropriations, nor do we know what what the latest version in the Senate will look like.
In the Oklahoma House, Fetgatter's HB2426 has been referred to the Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Committee, which meets at 10:30AM CST today. HB2426 is not on the agenda for that committee as of 10:15AM CST.
Not sure what's up but do not assume anything is dead until the Legislature adjourns in May.
Sorry. Call me a cynic. I certainly am that.
In the Oklahoma House, Fetgatter's HB2426 has been referred to the Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Committee, which meets at 10:30AM CST today. HB2426 is not on the agenda for that committee as of 10:15AM CST.
Not sure what's up but do not assume anything is dead until the Legislature adjourns in May.
Sorry. Call me a cynic. I certainly am that.
Ken Perrin
EF0
My cynical (realist) opinion is that it will be clandestinly passed. Perhaps by being attached/amended to another bill that is almost guaranteed passage.
gdlewen
EF4
Curiously, Oklahoma has a clause in its constitution that prevents riders or omnibus bills—“one bill one subject”. To compensate for this nonsense, they replace bills in toto: a dog catcher bill suddenly transforms into a concealed carry bill on the floor (to give an extreme and fictitious example.)
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