Oklahoma

AG opinion prompts Tim Gatz resignation as transportation secretary, turnpike authority boss

Published

1 year ago

February 28, 2024

AG opinion prompts Tim Gatz resignation as transportation secretary, turnpike authority boss

Tim Gatz on Wednesday resigned as Transportation secretary and director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority in response to an opinion issued by Attorney General Gentner Drummond that no one person serve in the two positions in addition to leading the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

Gatz held all three titles before Wednesday.

The opinion was one of two issued by Drummond that went against the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. A second opinion upheld the constitutionality of a 2013 law that diluted the governor’s exclusive appointment powers to the turnpike authority’s board of commissioners.

Gatz was named executive director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority in 2016 and then was appointed secretary of transportation and director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation in 2019.

Gatz’s resignation on Wednesday was effective immediately. Gov. Kevin Stitt quickly reappointed Gatz to his post at the Transportation Department. Stitt’s spokeswoman said the reappointment won’t require Senate confirmation because it was previously confirmed in 2019. The reappointment to the Transportation Department position was necessary because Gatz’s most recent appointment was as secretary of transportation, essentially voiding his appointments to the OTA and ODOT.

More: Oklahoma needs $25 billion to fix crumbling infrastructure. But the focus is on tax cuts

Stitt disagreed with both the challenge to the leadership of state transportation agencies and the bill that split his appointment power to the turnpike board. The bill gave appointment powers to the House speaker and Senate president pro tempore.

Gatz did not comment on the opinions on Wednesday. Drummond said in a news release his opinion operates as an effective resignation of Gatz’s role as the executive director of OTA.

Challenges faced at the OTA amid the push for ACCESS Oklahoma

Stitt and Gatz saw challenges to leadership at the OTA as they pushed for ACCESS Oklahoma, a five-year, $15 billion turnpike expansion plan that includes construction of new toll roads in and around Norman that will require acquisition of dozens if not hundreds of homes.

“Tim Gatz has dedicated his career to serving the state of Oklahoma for 34 years,” Stitt said Wednesday. “He is highly sought after by businesses and governments all over the country but has chosen to stay here and serve his state. I am disappointed that he is the victim of pointless politics.”

Before House Bill 2263, the governor made all six appointments to the turnpike authority. The legislation reduced that to two appointments, with the speaker of the House and Senate president pro tempore appointing two members apiece.

Turnpike commissioners last month unanimously voted to challenge the law, which also requires that they file annual financial reports disclosing potential conflicts of interest.

Commission Chair John Jones said the law, left unchallenged, could put at risk any actions taken including ACCESS Oklahoma implementation.

Drummond’s opinion explains that HB 2263 does not violate the state Constitution’s separation of powers provision for three key reasons:

Legislative acts are strongly presumed to be constitutional “unless it is clearly, palpably and plainly inconsistent with fundamental law”.
The Legislature can provide for the appointment of executive offices by a person or entity other than the Governor.
The bill in question is consistent with the balancing factor test used to determine the constitutionality of legislative appointments to state boards and commissions.

More: ACCESS Oklahoma construction starts next week with Turner Turnpike widening

In his opinion over Gatz holding three positions, Drummond wrote a person cannot hold multiple positions without a legislative exemption.

“As of the time of writing, the Legislature has enumerated thirty exceptions to this prohibition,” Drummond wrote in his opinion “However, none of these exceptions apply to the Secretary of Transportation, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, or Executive Director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.”

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma braces for more severe storms tonight after tornado-warned weekend: What to know

Published

4 hours ago

June 8, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma braces for more severe storms tonight after tornado-warned weekend: What to know

After weekend storms brought possible tornado damage to McAlester, Cimmaron and other communities in Oklahoma, the state could face another bout of severe storms tonight that could result in large hail, damaging winds, and potentially tornadoes.

According to the National Weather Service, the risk of storms should start Sunday afternoon around 1 p.m. and continue into Monday morning, with much of the state expecting some level of severe weather through the day.

The potential for tornadoes is low, but softball-size hail could develop, and winds could top 80 mph.

Severe weather is expected to develop in the northwestern portions of the state between 3-7 p.m., reach Oklahoma City between 5-9 p.m., and cross southeast between 8-11 p.m. Sunday.

On Monday and Tuesday, much of the state should get a break from severe weather, with sunny and warm conditions. Chances of thunderstorms return Wednesday and into next weekend.

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Weather alerts: See where tornado watch, tornado warnings have been issued

What to do when there’s a tornado watch

Be prepared — tornadoes are possible in and around the area mentioned in the watch. Be ready to act quickly.

NWS:How to prepare for a tornado

What to do when there’s a tornado warning

Take action now. A warning means someone saw a tornado or one was indicated by weather radar. Under a tornado warning, there’s imminent danger to life and property. Everyone should move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Department of Corrections to take over privately run Lawton prison in July

Published

1 day ago

June 7, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma Department of Corrections to take over privately run Lawton prison in July

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC) is preparing to take control of the state’s last privately operated prison next month, marking a major shift in how the state manages its incarcerated population.

DOC officials announced Saturday that the agency will assume operational control of the Lawton Correctional Facility on July 25. The facility was recently purchased by the state for $312 million, a move state lawmakers say saves taxpayer dollars compared to the estimated $1.5 billion it would take to build a new prison from scratch.

“This is a ‘how do we fix a problem’ situation,” said Rep. Trey Caldwell. “Are correctional officers in the state of Oklahoma safe? How do we make sure that we are being humane in the treatment of the people that we do have incarcerated?”

>> Oklahoma lawmakers propose $312 million to buy last private prison

According to Director Steve Harp, all current employees at the Lawton facility will be offered jobs with DOC, pending successful background checks.

The transition is part of a broader effort to bring Oklahoma’s prison system under direct state oversight, improve safety conditions for staff and inmates, and ensure consistent standards across all facilities.

The Lawton Correctional Facility has housed state inmates under private management for years. Once the DOC takes over in late July, all state correctional facilities will be publicly run.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma QB John Mateer to Serve as Counselor at 2025 Manning Passing Academy

Published

2 days ago

June 6, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma QB John Mateer to Serve as Counselor at 2025 Manning Passing Academy

Before Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer takes the field for the first time in Norman, he’ll rub shoulders with the Mannings.

Mateer will be one of 27 counselors at the 2025 Manning Passing Academy, the clinic announced in an Instagram post. Counselors at the camp are current college football quarterbacks, and others may be announced in the near future.

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer / Manning Passing Academy via Instagram

The Manning Passing Academy is held annually on the campus of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA. This year’s clinic, from June 26 to June 29, is the 29th edition of it.

The Manning family — Archie, Peyton, Eli and Cooper — all help lead the camp, alongside current college football players, who serve as counselors.

Mateer is one of nine quarterbacks from the SEC who will be counselors at the 2025 clinic.

Other SEC signal callers include Arch Manning (Texas), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Lanorris Sellers (South Carolina), Blake Shapen (Mississippi State), Gunner Stockton (Georgia), Taylen Green (Arkansas), Austin Simmons (Ole Miss) and Ty Simpson (Alabama). Manning is the son of Cooper Manning, nephew of Peyton and Eli and grandson of Archie.

Three counselors — Sam Leavitt (Arizona State), Cade Klubnik (Clemson) and Kevin Jennings (SMU) — were starting quarterbacks for teams that reached the College Football Playoff last season.

This is the second year in a row that OU will be represented at the Manning Passing Academy, as Jackson Arnold was a counselor in 2024.

Arnold was the Sooners’ leading passer last season, finishing the year with 1,421 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. He transferred to Auburn after the 2024 campaign, and he is expected to be the Tigers’ starting quarterback in 2025.

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Mateer enters his first season in Norman with lofty expectations.

In 2024 — his first season as Washington State’s starter — Mateer threw for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions, completing 64.6 percent of passes.

Mateer, a Texas native, transferred to Oklahoma in December alongside new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who also came to Oklahoma from Washington State. With Arbuckle and Mateer leading the offense, the Cougars finished 12th nationally in scoring offense, averaging 36.8 points per game.

Oklahoma, on the other hand, struggled offensively in 2024, particularly in the passing game. The Sooners finished No. 119 in passing offense out of 134 teams that play NCAA Division I FBS football, averaging 175.8 passing yards.

247Sports ranked Mateer as the No. 6 overall prospect in the 2025 transfer portal and the No. 3 quarterback, behind Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee to UCLA) and Carson Beck (Georgia to Miami).

Attendees at the Manning Passing Academy must be incoming eighth graders at the youngest, or rising high school seniors at the oldest.

According to the camp’s website, it “embraces the basic fundamentals of football while catering to the offensive skill positions” of quarterback, wide receiver, tight end and running back.

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