OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, and Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, released the following statement after the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) announced plans for a South Extension Turnpike alignment.

?"Today’s announcement by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority casts a renewed cloud of ?uncertainty and fear over yet another 25,000 acres of homes, farms, and ranches in Cleveland and ?McClain Counties. Once again, thousands of Oklahomans are being forced to live under the ?looming threat of displacement, and without a clear, evidence-based justification.?

"The OTA continues to operate in a way that undermines public trust. We are deeply concerned that ?this latest route announcement marks the beginning of another round of backroom deals made ?through the so-called 'right of way access' process. Since 2022, we have brought to light that this ?process is riddled with secrecy, devoid of transparency, and ripe for political favoritism. The last ?time a path was announced, we learned that well-connected individuals, including political figures, ?received disproportionately favorable deals when selling their land. That is unacceptable.

"Today's event was just another opportunity for OTA to bully and traumatize the public. Let's be ?clear about a few things: OTA is not a state agency, and, therefore, they do not work for the people. ?They are a public trust with no trust from the public. These performative tactics they have ?displayed over the past three years are either solely for the benefit of a small group of people so ?that they can appear to be affable, or they are genuinely concerned over the public's opinion of ?them—which indicates a guilty conscience on their part. It is past time for them to stop trying to ?manipulate the narrative and listen to what their conscience is trying to tell them.?

"We call on the leadership at the OTA, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and the ?Legislature to demand real transparency, real accountability, and a real public justification for this ?project. Until then, we stand with the people of Norman, Cleveland County, and McClain County ?who are once again being asked to bear the burden of a flawed and corrupt process." — Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, and Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman

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