State senator calls for audit of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – An Oklahoma state senator has filed a measure, calling on the State Auditor to audit the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

For weeks, a battle has been brewing between landowners and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

The OTA has introduced a number of tasks that they are saying will “increase and improve toll roads all through the state and add capability to the system.”

Nevertheless, 1000’s of Oklahomans have voiced issues concerning the plans, together with householders who say their properties might be destroyed by the proposed turnpikes.

On account of a newly filed lawsuit within the District Court docket of Cleveland County, for now, the OTA can transfer ahead with their plans, however solely in absentia of three deliberate routes by Cleveland County, alongside the South Extension, the East-West Connector and the Tri-Metropolis Connector.

The lawsuit alleges that the OTA has taken an “unauthorized” and “illegal” strategy to growth that might alter or destroy 1000’s of properties or different property, along with leaving Oklahomans with a monetary burden for tasks its plaintiff’s declare the OTA has not confirmed are mandatory.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority additionally mentioned it’s conscious of the lawsuit and is presently evaluating it, including that the company has developed a “detailed accounting monitoring system for every undertaking throughout the ACCESS Oklahoma program,” to account for cash spent.

Now, Sen. Mary Boren, (D) Norman, has authored Senate Concurrent Decision 28, which directs the State Auditor to audit the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

Boren says that OTA is shifting ahead with plans to start work on the toll street growth, together with buying properties.

“The language of SCR 28 is like my beforehand filed SCR 25 and calls for a moratorium on the constructing of latest turnpikes. However given OTA’s choice to proceed with plans to maintain shopping for properties for disputed tasks, SCR 28 provides new language for the State Auditor to evaluate ODOT’s and OTA’s monetary paperwork for the acquisition of properties and property for right-of-way entry,” Boren mentioned. “By reviewing these paperwork, Oklahomans may have a greater understanding of how state and federal tax {dollars}, together with bond {dollars}, are getting used to buy property. This evaluate of monetary paperwork will even ensure that everyone seems to be getting the identical favorable phrases when negotiating with the state.”

Boren has voiced her robust opposition in latest months to 2 proposed tasks in her district.

“It’s necessary that we demand accountability and transparency of our businesses, just like the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority that’s proposing to spend billions of {dollars} over the following a number of years on tasks that might displace a whole lot of properties and companies,” Boren mentioned. “Earlier than we begin planning to construct new turnpikes, we have to determine the way to repay what we have already got and ensure each house owner is empowered to barter for the perfect phrases potential, even when they aren’t rich and well-connected.”

The Norman Democrat mentioned she is actively searching for bipartisan help for SCR 28 to be heard earlier than the 2022 session adjourns this month.