Oklahoma Residents Call For OTA Transparency At Capitol

Some residents from Cleveland County do not agree with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. Oklahomans for Responsible Transportation made their arguments at the Capitol on Monday. Lawmakers and homeowners say more transparency with OTA is necessary.

“People were confused and angry,” said Amy Cerato, whose home would be affected by a proposed turnpike in Cleveland County. 

The OTA plans to build $5 billion worth of turnpikes in Oklahoma.

“We will see how decisions are being made in the state of Oklahoma,” said Attorney General Gentner Drummond.  

One of these proposed turnpikes cuts right through Cleveland County neighborhoods where lawyers and civil engineers like Cerato live.

“They have managed themselves out of any fiscal oversight or accountability for decades,” Cerato said.

Oklahomans for Responsible Transportation argue the OTA unlawfully authorized these turnpike proposals.

Attorney Rob Norman said three court cases rest inside the Oklahoma Supreme Court to find out if that’s the case. Right now, Access Oklahoma, where 59 miles of turnpikes are planned, remains paused because OTA violated Oklahoma open meetings law. 

In December, Special Judge Timothy Olsen of Seminole County found contracts that the OTA awarded in January and February of 2022 to be “invalid.” Drummond called for an audit of OTA.

“I’m proud to have issued and called for the first investigative audit of the OTA in its history, and it’s necessary,” Drummond said.

People at the Capitol focused on one common argument.

“Instead of finding out through a fair open meetings process, we found out on Facebook,” Norman said.

The residents these turnpikes affect want more transparency.

“It shouldn’t be revolutionary to expect that,” said Rep. Jacob Rosecrants. “Yet that’s where we’re at.”  

An OTA spokesperson told News 9: 

“It is not uncommon for members of the legislature to introduce bills to restrict the OTA’s management of the turnpike system. The OTA’s approach has always been to work with and provide information to Legislators to help explain any adverse impacts of proposed amendments, including how credit rating agencies and bondholders could view potential enactments.   

Staff members of the OTA have regularly made themselves available for informal face-to-face meetings since the session began and will continue to provide pertinent information as requested.”