Push advances for people to have more say surrounding OTA

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — One of several bills pushing for more public control surrounding the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority passed committee on Thursday.

Representative Danny Sterling's (R-Tecumseh) bill, HB 1939, would modify certain powers and control of the OTA. The modifications include an expiration of legislative authorization for certain turnpike projects, after it expires, legislators would have a say.

"I think this bill is needed because the legislature really has no input as far as future turnpikes because of the legislators in the past that have put that into play. This allows the people that are going to be directly impacted by what happens coming through their property or municipality to see exactly what it looks like and how it's going to impact them," said Sterling.

"I have a hard time grasping this. That we got to stop them because they're all evil? I don't believe that," said one representative during Thursday's committee meeting who voted against it.

Some lawmakers expressed concern surrounding it and said that this could end up stopping projects from progressing.

"I don't see anything in the language that says something about it being evil or we need to stop the OTA," said a different representative for the bill.

"We think that there's a lot of problems with private property rights. Eminent domain should not be used specifically for economic development," said Randy Carter with Oklahomans for Responsible Transportation.

The group has been in the rooms with legislators over the last couple of weeks, but for the last couple of years, they said they have fought to bring transparency to light surrounding OTA.

"This bill will help with the process of the public. Being more informed about what's going on," said Carter.

This is one of several bills that passed through in the last couple of weeks.

It's an overall push that Carter and others said is needed lately.

"Yes. The people who are directly affected by this turnpike are very passionate about it. We feel like our private property rights have been violated," said Carter.

Sterling said on Thursday that he is working with the OTA on these ideas, and is trying to bring everyone together to pass the legislation.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is committed to transparency and continues to meet with Rep. Sterling to address our concerns with some of the bill language, which includes the order in which some processes take place. OTA looks forward to seeing the result to ensure that all citizens have clarity and confidence in OTA’s processes as we continue to help meet the state’s transportation infrastructure needs.

Spokesperson for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority