Responding to Oklahoma Editorial “Populist candidate tackles tolls”

Oklahoma Capitol Investments responds;

January 31, 2010 at 8:17 am

The Oklahoman Editorial

Jan 30, 2010

WHAT is it about lesser-known candidates for governor who flit in and out of populism?

In 2002, independent Gary Richardson campaigned on eliminating tolls on the Turner Turnpike, ignoring the fact that the people themselves had agreed to cross-pledge revenue from that toll road to pay for less-traveled turnpikes.

State Sen. Randy Brogdon, a Republican running for governor this year, wants turnpike toll increases to be the exclusive domain of the Legislature with the high barrier of two-thirds approval.[. . ]And now Brodgon wants to micromanage the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority because it had the audacity to raise tolls last year.

. . .

You will be thanking that “populist” candidate if it keeps us from getting what the poor people in Texas are getting from the NTTA!   “Raping” seems to be  a common description of the situation.

The OTA is cutting deals with several other states to share our information for toll interoperability and contrary to the story we are being given about about the tag scanning cameras being for uninsured motorists, they really are for us.  Our representatives have no role and there is no oversight to the OTA as best I can tell.   The AG saying no doesn’t bother them, of course our Gov. (ex-offi cio member) was right with them.

Oklahoma-Oversight council approves restructuring of Turnpike Authority bond

04/27/2006

The OTA is seeking to restructure about $690 million in bond debts…

Gov. Brad Henry signed SB 1057 April 10.  In December, Att. Gen. Drew Edmondson issued an opinion that OTA did not have authority to enter into interest rate swap contractshttp://www.icapitol.net/topic_01OF0MMAHX/readstory.oki?storyid=0SF1225H0

NTTA  and the OTA are working hand in glove on their new schemes charge state residents.

Read More;

http://okcapitolinvestments.wordpress.com/2010/01/31/populist-candidate-tackles-tolls/

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