Oklahoma
Borrowing costs rose in the wake of Oklahoma's anti-ESG law: study
An Oklahoma law that banned state and local government contracts with investment banks that “boycott” the fossil fuel industry boosted municipalities’ borrowing costs by 59 basis points on average, according to the latest research into the financial impact of so-called anti-environmental, social, and governance laws.
The
Travis Roach, chair of the University of Central Oklahoma’s Economics Department, who conducted the study, found that over the approximately 17 months the law has been in effect, about $4.6 billion of municipal bonds were issued at higher coupon rates relative to borrowings in four states without a similar law. As a result, Oklahoma municipalities incurred an estimated $184.7 million in additional expenses.
Bloomberg News
“This increase in borrowing costs imposes an unnecessary financial burden on Oklahoma municipalities, potentially forcing them to cut spending on important public services or infrastructure projects, or raise taxes to cover the higher debt servicing costs,” the study concluded.
As large financial institutions “with the scale, scope, and experience of providing municipal bond issuance services” are banned from underwriting government debt in Oklahoma, borrowing costs may increase simply because smaller firms lack that reach, it added.
The law
Monica Collison, president of the ORA, an organization created to support economic development and infrastructure for the state’s rural communities, said while the law aimed to be “a ‘solution’ to combat the misguided perception of boycotting by financial institutions of certain industries,” the result was a politically motivated attempt to remove certain banks from operating in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ was aware of the “unintended consequences” posed by the law’s inclusion of state political subdivisions, according to Deputy Treasurer Jordan Harvey, who noted legislation introduced this session seeks to amend the act.
Another bill would apply a provision against contracts worth $100,000 or more with “boycotters”
Another bill that
A 2022 academic paper found similar Texas laws enacted in 2021 to protect the fossil fuel and firearm industries against boycotts and discrimination may
A
In March, a Texas business group released a
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is taking action against Uber Technologies LLC and Uber USA LLC after alleging the use of deceptive and unfair practices in selling subscription services.
According to the Drummond office, the lawsuit against Uber Technologies LLC and Uber USA LLC seeks to uncover an alleged variety of unfair operations in selling Uber One subscription services.
On Monday, Drummond, alongside a coalition of 21 other state attorneys general, joined the lawsuit filed initially by the Federal Trade Commission.
Drummond says the lawsuit alleges the following:
- Uber is accused of improperly using negative option marketing tactics when it offered free trial subscriptions – a practice that automatically charges consumers if they do not cancel a free trial.
- Uber allegedly misled consumers about the amounts they could save when subscribing to Uber One and made it extraordinarily difficult for consumers to cancel once enrolled.
- Uber is also accused of charging consumers before their billing date, including users whose free trial had not yet ended.
“Oklahoma law prohibits deceptive trade practices and I will always fight to hold accountable any company who breaks the law,” Drummond said. “Unless Uber is stopped in court, they are likely to continue cheating and harming hardworking Oklahomans.”
The AG’s office says the lawsuit seeks restitution, penalties, costs, and an injunction against Uber for alleged violations of Oklahoma’s Consumer Protection Act and the U.S. Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act.
The lawsuit is currently scheduled for trial on February 2027, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Here is the state coalition list; in addition to Oklahoma, it includes Maryland, Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, as well as the District Attorney for Alameda County in California.
Click complaint to read the lawsuit.
Oklahoma running back Jovantae Barnes was upgraded on the second College Football Playoff availability report of the week.
Barnes appeared on Tuesday’s report as probable, but he was left off Wednesday’s report, meaning he will be available for Friday’s contest against Alabama.
Barnes appeared in four games during the regular season, carrying the ball 19 times for 45 yards and a touchdown. He also caught one pass for 16 yards.
The senior running back was able to redshirt by only playing in four games. Postseason games, including the College Football Playoff, do not count against eligibility, so Barnes will be able to maintain eligibility in 2026 and still be able to take the field for the Sooners in the CFP.
Oklahoma’s main injury concern, center Jake Maikkula, continues to linger.
Maikkula was listed as questionable on the report for the second straight day.
Maikkula missed OU’s regular-season finale against LSU due to what Brent Venables labeled as an “infection”. He was fully suited up during a brief 15-minute practice viewing window on Monday, but he was working off to the side instead of with Oklahoma’s starting offensive line group.
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Oklahoma’s best news of the week came on Tuesday.
Star pass rusher R Mason Thomas was not listed on the week’s first availability report, meaning he’s good to go to take on the Crimson Tide.
Thomas earned All-SEC First Team honors in 2025 despite missing a majority of Red November.
He appeared in nine regular-season games, totaling 23 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Thomas also forced two fumbles, and he scooped up a Joey Aguilar fumble and returned it all the way for a touchdown. He sustained a quad injury on the play, however, which cost him the Alabama, Missouri and LSU games.
Thomas also missed the first half of OU’s SEC opener against Auburn after he was ejected in the second half of Oklahoma’s win over Temple for targeting.
Defensive backs Gentry Williams, Kendel Dolby and Jeremiah Newcombe were all ruled out for the CFP opener on Tuesday.
Dolby announced that he intends to enter the transfer portal on Wednesday.
When asked about the defensive back after Dolby’s announcement on Wednesday, Venables was short.
“I’m not going to talk about anybody that’s not here,” he said.
Alabama tight ends Josh Cuevas and Danny Lewis Jr. were both upgraded to probable after the tight end duo was listed as questionable on the week’s first availability report.
The Sooners and the Crimson Tide will battle at 7 p.m. on Friday, and the game will air on ABC and ESPN.
Oklahoma
Six bridges damaged by semi truck hauling ‘illegally over-height’ load, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority says
Oklahoma authorities are investigating multiple bridge strikes that occurred along the I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike on Tuesday afternoon.
On December 16, 2025, “an illegally over-height commercial motor vehicle drove this afternoon from Tulsa to near Miami,” causing damage to “multiple county bridges above the I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike,” according to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA).
The OTA notes that “it is illegal for trucks taller than 14 feet to travel the state highway system without permits and approved routes. The bridges damaged today range from 14 feet and 11 inches to 15 feet and 4 inches in vertical clearance, well above the legal limit.”
“We are continuing to see damage to our state transportation infrastructure from illegal, over-height semi-trucks. This is a critical issue that puts the traveling public at risk and is unacceptable. We are extremely grateful no one was injured in this incident,” OTA Executive Director Joe Echelle said. “We implore truck drivers to follow all Oklahoma laws and work with the state’s Size and Weights permitting office to ensure that all travelers are safe on our roadways and that our infrastructure remains undamaged by these careless acts.”
Officials say that the following bridges were struck:
- E. 530 Rd. – closed between S. 4130 Rd. and Lakeway Rd.
- S. 4220 Rd. – closed between E. 460 Rd. and E. 470 Rd. east of Claremore
- N. 429 Rd. – closed between E. 390 Rd. and SH-28
- N. 4300 Rd. – closed between E. 380 Rd. and W. 390 Rd.
- N. 4310 Rd. – open
- W. 370 Rd. – open
The Will Rogers Turnpike is open, but drivers should expect temporary delays as crews continue to inspect the damaged bridges.
“OTA is working closely with officials from Rogers County, City of Claremore, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and ODOT in response to this incident,” the agency said.
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