A Conversation with Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

A Conversation with Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley November/December 2016 A Conversation With Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley towntalk NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 Published Bi-Monthly, By The Oklahoma Municipal Contractors Association P.O. Box 891797, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73189 Rick J. Moore, Editor calendar of events Thursday January 19, 2017 OMCA January membership Luncheon Twin Hills Golf & Country Club Oklahoma City, OK - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Tuesday February 14, 2017 Oklahoma City City Council Primary Election Wards 1,3,4 and 7 Oklahoma City, OK - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Thursday February 16, 2017 OMCA February Membership Luncheon Twin Hills Golf & Country Club Oklahoma City, OK - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Thursday March 16, 2017 OMCA March Membership Luncheon Twin Hills Golf & Country Club Oklahoma City, OK - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Tuesday April 4, 2017 Oklahoma City City Council General Election (If needed) Wards 1,3,4 and 7 Oklahoma City, OK - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Thursday April 20, 2017 OMCA April Membership Luncheon Twin Hills Golf & Country Club Oklahoma City, OK - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- June 8, 9 & 10, 2017 OMCA Annual Convention Big Cedar Lodge Resort Ridgedale, Missouri 1 IN THIS ISSUE The Informative News Magazine Secretary of Transportation P.O. Box 891797 Gary Ridley ....................................................3 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73189 405/236-2248 Fax: 405/236-2153 I-40 Radio Rd. Interchange E-mail: [email protected] Opens in El Reno .........................................16 OKC Director of Airports OFFICERS Speaks to OMCA Members .........................19 Rich Horrocks President Don Noble Vice-President Jay Lemon Secretary/Treasurer OMCA Members Decorate the Jim King Immediate Past President JD McCarty Center for the Holidays ...........22 CORPORATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Senators Take Oath of Office .......................29 Jeff Allen Kevin Brewer Jeff Burr Robert Gibson Jimmy Jordan Fred Krapff Senate Republicans Bill Nash Donny Niebrugge Leadership Posts Announced .....................31 Craig Parker Doug Walker Senate Democrats Announce ASSOCIATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Leadership Team .........................................40 Travis Brown Steve Decker Don Jacobson Kane Russell Sparks Announces Senate Democrats SPECIALTY-ENGINEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Committee Assignments ............................42 Jim Benson Todd Brawley Senator Floyd Receives 2016 LIFETIME DIRECTORS (CORPORATE) Damon Markwell Kevin Brewer Elected Women of Excellence Award .........44 Darrell Markwell Don Noble Bill Nash Jimmy Jordan Construction Fatalities in Oklahoma ..........45 Don Niebrugge Fred Krapff Craig Parker Tom Lippert OMCA Members Celebrate Christmas Doug Walker with Children at JD McCarty Center ...........48 LIFETIME DIRECTOR (ENGINEER) Don Douglas Year End Update on Tulsa Street Project Programs ..............................52 LIFETIME DIRECTORS (ASSOCIATE) Charlie Thomason OMCA Welcomes New Members ...............53 DIRECTORS EMERITUS Dave Amis Don Niebrugge Birthdays and Anniversaries .......................54 Brian Brewer Jeff Brewer Bob Noble Art Couch Directory .....................................................64 Don Rheudasill Charlie King Charles Schwarz Larry Lemon Reggie Sullivan PAST DIRECTORS (IN MEMORIUM) Ted Cambell John McConnell Allen Couch A. W. Smalley, Jr. Merle Dinkins H. Seth Wood Ray Foley W. F. Young STAFF Rick J. Moore, Executive Director Vickie L. Moore, Executive Assistant 2 A CONVERSATION WITH SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION GARY RIDLEY By Rick J. Moore Gary Ridley, who spent 44 years working for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, was appointed Secretary of Transportation by Governor Brad Henry in May 2009. He was reappointed to that position by Governor Mary Fallin after her election in November 2010. Since August 2001 Ridley has been Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and in October 2009 he took on additional responsibilities as Director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. He retired from both of these positions in March 2013, but stayed on as Secretary of Transportation. Ridley’s journey up through the ranks provided him with first-hand insights into the whole spectrum of department operations. His ODOT service dates back to 1965, when he joined the department as an equipment operator. He moved up to maintenance superintendent at Kingfisher in 1970 and traffic superintendent at Perry in 1979. In 1983 he became field maintenance engineer at Perry then advanced to Division Five Maintenance Engineer at Clinton in 1986. He became Division Engineer at Clinton in 1995. He was named Assistant Director Continued on page 4 3 Continued from page 3 for Operations in January 2001 before becoming ODOT Director in August. Ridley worked with the state Legislature when it passed several landmark pieces of legislation to improve transportation funding. At the same time, he worked to conduct programming in a sound, businesslike fashion absent political influences to ensure increased funding is spent prudently. During his tenure, the number of bad bridges has been reduced and safety features, such as life-saving cable barriers, have become commonplace on Oklahoma’s highways. Ridley also improved the process of preparing the department’s eight- year Construction Work Plan. With funding increases for transportation, he was able to firm-up commitments made in the fiscally constrained plan, particularly those during the first three years. He also created ODOT’s four-year Asset Preservation Plan aimed at maximizing the life of Oklahoma’s infrastructure. At the national level, he chaired the committee that celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the interstate highway system, and he has been asked to testify to Congress on several occasions about the challenges faced by state transportation officials. Ridley is a native of Chicago and a registered Professional Engineer. He and his wife, Eula, live in Yukon and have two grown children, Daphne and Joe and four grandchildren. Earlier this year, I sat down with Secretary Ridley to talk about turnpikes and here is part of that conversation: Back in the 1940’s, the only road that you had to get from Tulsa to Oklahoma City was Highway 66, and it was probably about a 3 ½ hours or longer drive. The Highway Department, as it was known then, didn’t have the funds to be able to build a new highway. So the Legislature at the time, and the people pushed for a toll facility that would be built, and it could be done in a hurry, and only the people who would use it would pay for it. We were the third state in the Union to have a State-sponsored toll facility. Now there are 34 states that have toll facilities, because they have come up with that same problem of funding, not having the money to build the roads they need. How many times have you heard people say that once the turnpike was paid off, it was supposed to be a free road forever, and they are still yet charging tolls? Well, when the first one was built, that was the idea. Continued on page 7 4 Let Us Partner With You On Your Next Project Whether it is helping protection on hundreds you reduce your Cost of projects that have of Risk or increase helped shape Oklahoma your bonding capacity, since 1922. Recent Start doing Rich & Cartmill has projects like the new serious the tools and people I-40 relocation in OKC, to help you reach your the Oklahoma City business... goals. We represent Thunder Training facility numerous insurance and the I-44 Highway Contact us and surety companies project in Tulsa, as well OKC Office Travis Brown • Mark Nowell that specialize in as numerous hospitals, Dwight Pilgrim • Ryan Teubner contractors. Let us help schools, roads, bridges 1608 NW Expressway, Ste 100 find the right fit for you. and government OKC, OK 73118 405-418-8600 facilities throughout Tulsa Office We have provided this great state Steve Allen • Kelly Deer bonds and insurance and beyond. Vaughn Graham • Vaughn Graham Jr. • Steve Poleman 2738 E. 51st St, #400 Tulsa, OK 74105 918-743-8811 www.rcins.com 5 Rich & Cartmill CG Ad 4.5x7.5.indd 1 8/25/15 9:59 AM DRIVE IN. DENTS OUT. Carsmetics will fix your car on time, for less and just like new. You won’t pay a cent until you’re satisfied. • FREE EXACT PRICE QUOTE IN 10 MINUTES • 1-2 DAY REPAIRS ON FREE MOST VEHICLES RENTAL CAR • SATISFACTION For duration of repair. GUARANTEED –YOU Must be scheduled prior to repair date. Good up to a standard DON’T PAY UNTIL YOUR sized car. 100% SATISFIED FAST, FLAWLESS, FOR LESS. EDMOND OKLAHOMA CITY 3625 South Broadway 8313 Candlewood Dr. Edmond, OK 73013 Oklahoma City, OK 73132 405.242.2233 405.470.3333 Locally owned by Fred Krapff. 6 Continued from page 5 The Turner Turnpike was done first, and shortly thereafter, people said this is a great deal, and we would like to have one that goes from Tulsa to Miami. It was called the Will Rogers Turnpike, but it wouldn’t stand on its own by generating enough money to pay its debts, so they did a referendum in 1954, and it went to a vote of the people and asked if the people
Recommended publications
  • 2019 Sleg Day54.Pdf
    1313 Senate Journal First Regular Session of the Fifty-seventh Legislature of the State of Oklahoma Fifty-fourth Legislative Day, Wednesday, May 8, 2019 The Senate was called to order by Senator Stanislawski. Roll Call: Present: Allen, Bergstrom, Bice, Boggs, Boren, Brooks, Bullard, Coleman, Dahm, Daniels, David, Dossett, Dugger, Floyd, Hall, Haste, Hicks, Howard, Ikley-Freeman, Jech, Kidd, Kirt, Leewright, Matthews, McCortney, Montgomery, Murdock, Newhouse, Paxton, Pederson, Pemberton, Pugh, Quinn, Rader, Rosino, Scott, Sharp, Shaw, Silk, Simpson, Smalley, Standridge, Stanislawski, Stanley, Thompson, Treat, Weaver and Young.—48. Senator Stanislawski declared a quorum present. The prayer was offered by Pastor Jeremy Freeman, First Baptist Church, Newcastle, the guest of Senator Scott. INTRODUCTION Senator Silk introduced his daughter, Isabelle, to the Senate. REPORT OF ENGROSSED AND ENROLLED MEASURES SBs 30, 89, 92, 184, 251, 400, 740, 742, 811, 815, 844, 885, 975 and 1038 were each correctly enrolled and after fourth reading, properly signed and ordered transmitted to the Honorable House for signature of the Speaker. PENDING CONSIDERATION OF HAs HAs to SBs 508, 510, 511 and 701 were rejected upon motion of Senator David, conference requested, and Senate conferees to be named later. 1314 Senate Journal PENDING CONSIDERATION OF HAs HAs to SB 135 were concurred in upon motion of Senator Simpson. SB 135, as amended by the Honorable House, was read at length. On the question of passage of the bill and emergency, the vote resulted as follows: Aye: Allen, Bergstrom, Bice, Boggs, Boren, Brooks, Bullard, Dahm, Daniels, David, Dossett, Dugger, Floyd, Hall, Haste, Hicks, Howard, Ikley-Freeman, Jech, Kidd, Kirt, Leewright, Matthews, McCortney, Montgomery, Murdock, Newhouse, Pederson, Pemberton, Pugh, Quinn, Rader, Rosino, Scott, Sharp, Shaw, Silk, Simpson, Smalley, Standridge, Stanislawski, Thompson, Weaver and Young.--44.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Legislative Toolkit
    2020 LEGISLATIVE TOOLKIT Oklahoma Primary Care Association OKLAHOMA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS STATEWIDE OVERVIEW 21 health centers in Oklahoma operate 110+ locations across the state WHAT ARE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS? Community health centers (CHCs), also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) or health centers, are non-profit health care providers that deliver comprehensive primary health care services to medically underserved communities. To best serve their patients, many health centers offer a one-stop-shop of integrated services under one roof like medical, dental, behavioral, vision, transportation, case management, and more. The health center program provides health care to over 28 million individuals in the United States. Health centers have long been a bipartisan solution to concerns about health care access, quality, and cost. Health centers treat all patients regardless of ability to pay. In Oklahoma, where many families and individuals lack access to primary care, health centers provide much-needed cost-effective and preventive services and save the health care system money by preventing expensive, avoidable emergency department visits and chronic illnesses. Health centers use sliding fee scales based on patients’ income, have after-hours coverage, meet extensive performance and accountability requirements, and are governed by patient-majority boards that reflect the communities they serve. From Afton to Guymon and Hollis to Idabel, community health centers create jobs and save lives in every corner of our state.
    [Show full text]
  • Oklahoma State Senate Handout.Mxd
    Oklahoma Senate Districts & Member Contact Information 57th Oklahoma Legislature Cimarron Texas Beaver Harper Ottawa Woods Grant Kay Nowata Craig 27 Alfalfa 19 10 29 1 Osage Washington Woodward District Senator Party Capitol Phone Room # District Senator Party Capitol Phone Room # Garfield Noble Rogers 1 Micheal Bergstrom R (405) 521-5561 426 25 Joe Newhouse R (405) 521-5675 414 Mayes Delaware 2Marty Quinn R (405) 521-5555 419 26 Darcy Jech R (405) 521-5545 417 Major Pawnee 34 3 Wayne Shaw R (405) 521-5574 233 27 Casey Murdock R (405) 521-5626 430 Ellis 2 4 Mark Allen R (405) 521-5576 234 28 Vacant 11 5 Joseph Silk R (405) 521-5614 416 29 Julie Daniels R (405) 521-5634 415 Payne Tulsa 37 39 6 David Bullard R (405) 521-5586 443 30 Julia Kirt D (405) 521-5636 514.2 20 35 36 7 Larry Boggs R (405) 521-5604 530 31 Chris Kidd R (405) 521-5563 427 Dewey 3 8 Roger Thompson R (405) 521-5588 537 32 John Michael Montgomery R (405) 521-5567 529.1 21 Kingfisher 25 Wagoner 9 Dewayne Pemberton R (405) 521-5533 429 33 Nathan Dahm R (405) 521-5551 526 33 Blaine Logan 12 Cherokee 10 Bill Coleman R (405) 521-5581 432 34 J.J. Dossett D (405) 521-5566 515.1 18 Adair 11 Kevin Matthews D (405) 521-5598 516 35 Gary Stanislawski R (405) 521-5624 431 Creek 12 James Leewright R (405) 521-5528 425 36 John Haste R (405) 521-5602 445 Roger Mills 13 Greg McCortney R (405) 521-5541 528.2 37 Allison Ikley-Freeman D (405) 521-5600 524 Lincoln Custer 26 22 Okmulgee 14 Frank Simpson R (405) 521-5607 527 38 Brent Howard R (405) 521-5612 536 41 Muskogee 9 15 Rob Standridge
    [Show full text]
  • New Legislators for 2019 Session
    New Legislators for 2019 Session District Incumbent New Legislator HD 02 John Bennett (R – Sallisaw) Jim Olsen (R – Roland) HD 03 Rick West (R – Heavener) Lundy Kiger (R – Poteau) HD 06 Chuck Hoskin (D – Vinita) Rusty Cornwell (R – Vinita) HD 10 Travis Dunlap (R – Bartlesville) Judd Strom (R – Copan) HD 11 Earl Sears (R – Bartlesville) Derrel Fincher (R – Bartlesville) HD 14 George Faught (R – Muskogee) Chris Sneed (R – Fort Gibson) HD 15 Ed Cannady (D – Porum) Randy Randleman (R – Eufala) HD 17 Brian Renegar (D – McAlester) Jim Grego (R – Wilburton) HD 18 Donnie Condit (D – McAlester) David Smith (R – McAlester) HD 20 Bobby Cleveland (R – Slaughterville) Sherrie Conley (R – Newcastle) HD 24 Steve Kouplen (D – Beggs) Logan Phillips (R – Mounds) HD 25 Todd Thomsen (R – Ada) Ronny Johns (R – Ada) HD 27 Josh Cockroft (R – Tecumseh) Danny Sterling (R – Tecumseh) HD 31 Jason Murphey (R – Guthrie) Garry Mize (R – Edmond) HD 33 Greg Babinec (R – Cushing) John Talley (R – Stillwater) HD 34 Cory Williams (D – Stillwater) Trish Ranson (D – Stillwater) HD 35 Dennis Casey (R – Morrison) Ty Burns (R – Morrison) HD 37 Steve Vaughan (R – Ponca City) Ken Luttrell (R – Ponca City) HD 41 John Enns (R – Enid) Denise Crosswhite-Hader (R – Yukon) HD 42 Tim Downing (R – Purcell) Cynthia Roe (R – Lindsay) HD 43 John Paul Jordan (R – Yukon) Jay Steagall (R – Yukon) HD 45 Claudia Griffith (D – Norman) Merleyn Bell (D – Norman) HD 47 Leslie Osborn (R – Mustang) Brian Hill (R – Mustang) HD 48 Pat Ownbey (R – Ardmore) Tammy Townley (R – Ardmore) HD 61 Casey Murdock
    [Show full text]
  • 2017 Session Overview
    2017 SESSION OVERVIEW The 1st Session of the 56th Oklahoma Legislature convened to organize on January 3, 2017 for the purpose of performing its duties as required in Section 5 of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution and organizing pursuant to the provisions of Article V of the Oklahoma Constitution. The Legislature reconvened on Monday, February 6, 2017, and adjourned sine die on May 26, 2017, as required in the Oklahoma Constitution. The Senate welcomed thirteen new members: Senators Micheal Bergstrom, Julie Daniels, Tom Dugger, Chris Kidd, James Leewright, Greg McCortney, Joe Newhouse, Lonnie Paxton, Roland Pederson, Dewayne Pemberton, Adam Pugh, Dave Rader and Paul Scott. Two members resigned during the 2017 session, and a third, Senator Dan Newberry, announced his resignation shortly after adjournment. Senator Mike Schulz was elected as President Pro Tempore, and Senator Greg Treat was named Majority Floor Leader. Other officers of the Senate for the 2017 session included Senators Stephanie Bice, Eddie Fields and Bryce Marlatt, Assistant Majority Floor Leaders; Senators Mark Allen, Nathan Dahm, Frank Simpson and Rob Standridge, Majority Whips; Senators Gary Stanislawski and Roger Thompson, Majority Caucus Chair and Vice-Chair; Senator A.J. Griffin, Rural Caucus Chair; and Senator John Sparks, Minority Floor Leader. Senator Kim David was named as the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Legislature considered 2,460 bills and joint resolutions, of which 197 Senate measures and 196 House measures became law. Governor Mary Fallin vetoed 17 measures. One measure referred a state question to the voters for action at the November 2018 election. Since most measures not acted on in the first session of a legislature carry over to the second session, the 2018 session will start with 2,019 measures carried over from the 2017 session.
    [Show full text]
  • Meeting Notice
    Oklahoma State Senate 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105 • (405) 524-0126 http://www.oksenate.gov REV ISED MEETING NOTICE October 10, 2019 COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION SUBJECT: First Meeting MEETING DATE: Thursday, October 17, 2019 MEETING TIME: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. LOCATION: Room 535, State Capitol Building Agenda: 1. 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - IS 19-68, Senator Gary Stanislawski, Study on Personalized Learning: Designing an education system where every student succeeds a. Susan Patrick, president and chief executive officer, iNACOL b. Brent Bushey, executive director, Oklahoma Public School Resource Center c. Renee Dove, superintendent, Okmulgee Public Schools d. Chris McAdoo, principal, Santa Fe South Pathways Middle College e. Howard Stephenson, former Utah state senator, Upstart 2. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - IS 19-67, Senator Gary Stanislawski, Study on State Public Common School Building Equalization Fund a. Micah Ann Wixom, policy analyst, Education Commission of the States b. Carolyn Thompson, chief of government affairs, State Department of Education c. Shawn Hime, executive director, Oklahoma State School Boards Association d. Brent Bushey, executive director, Oklahoma Public School Resource Center e. Chris Brewster, superintendent, Santa Fe South Public Schools 3. Other Business. Education Committee Members: Study Requested By: Senate Staff: Senator Gary Stanislawski, Chair Senator Gary Stanislawski for 19-67 Erin Boeckman, Legislative Analyst Senator Joe Newhouse, Vice-Chair and 19-68 Chris Turner, Attorney Senator David Bullard Leigh Garrison, Fiscal Analyst Senator JJ Dossett Kaycee Valencia, Admin. Assist. Senator Tom Dugger Senator John Haste Senator Carri Hicks Senator Allison Ikley-Freeman Senator Chris Kidd Senator Roland Pederson Senator Dewayne Pemberton Senator Marty Quinn Senator Paul Scott Senator Wayne Shaw Senator Jason Smalley .
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Sine Die Complete Document
    2020 Sine Die Presented by the Oklahoma Municipal League The Oklahoma Municipal League 201 N.E. 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 (405) 528-7515 or (800) 324-6651 www.oml.org June 2020 © 2020 Oklahoma Municipal League, Inc. Published by the Oklahoma Municipal League, Inc. June 2020 Managing Editor: Mike Fina Contributing Writers: Sue Ann Nicely, Jodi Lewis, Missy Kemp © 2020 Oklahoma Municipal League, Inc. SINE DIE TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the Director ........................................................................................................................................................... i The Legislative Department ................................................................................................................................................... iii Sine Die – Report Format ........................................................................................................................................................ v Bill Number Index by Effective Date...................................................................................................................................... vii Bills That May Impact Municipal Departments ....................................................................................................................... 1 2020 Legislative Session Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Effective Date of Bills Summary .............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • LEGISLATIVE ISSUES REPORT Legislation, Lobbying Advocacy Jennifer James Mccollum, APR Public Relations & Community Development
    LEGISLATIVE ISSUES REPORT Legislation, Lobbying Advocacy Jennifer James McCollum, APR Public Relations & Community Development MAY 2018 BUDGET RECAP 2nd SESSION, 56th LEGISLATURE BUDGET RECAP • HB 1010xx | $420 million revenue-raising bill passed during the special session: • Gross Production tax on oil and gas wells goes up from 2 to 5 percent at a $170 million cost to the industry • Motor fuel will cost $.03 more per gallon • Cigarettes will go up $1 per pack • Will pay for teacher, support staff and state employee raises • HB 1011 | Revenue, Taxation • Prohibits taxpayers from claiming $17,000+ in itemized deductions, raising approximately $94 million a year • Larger Internet sellers, such as Amazon, must now collect and remit sales taxes from third-party vendors, raising approximately $20 million a year 2nd SESSION, 56th LEGISLATURE BUDGET RECAP • HB 1086 | Capital Gains • Failed to Pass; Would have ended Oklahoma’s capital gains deduction, raising $100 million revenue for the state • SB 888 | Wind • Bill to create a new gross production tax on wind energy and eliminate paying out refunds on tax credits failed • HB 1024 | State Employees • State employees will receive their first raise in about a decade. Pay increases will range from $700 to $2,000 • State employees wanted a $7,500 across-the-board increase over three years 2nd SESSION, 56th LEGISLATURE BUDGET RECAP • Public Education: Budget now $2.4 billion • Teachers will receive an average increase of $6,000 starting this fall • Schools will share $52 million for support staff raises, $33 million for textbooks and $17 million for general school funding Source • SB 1115 to reduce class sizes, and SB 1104 to prevent lunch shaming failed REPEAL of HB 1010xx REFERENDUM • Definition: A direct vote in which the electorate votes on a particular proposal.
    [Show full text]
  • P3 Plan Revs up Stalled Oklahoma Highway
    Thursday, March 16, 2017 | as of 5:00 PM Infrastructure ET P3 Plan Revs Up Stalled Oklahoma Highway By Jim Watts March 14, 2017 DALLAS ­­ Oklahoma plans to complete an unfunded Tulsa highway project that’s been on the books for 50 years with a seven­way partnership that would include an expected $100 million investment from the one private sector partner. The private partner would recoup its investment by collecting tolls on the five­mile, four­lane segment, including a bridge over the Arkansas River, that would complete the Gilcrease Expressway highway loop around Tulsa. Oklahoma transportation secretary Gary Ridley said the project is expected to cost $240 million, but the total amount of funding from all seven partners, including money already spent on the extension, will be closer to $300 million. Six of the partners are public and the private partner probably will contribute about $100 million to the project, he said. “From the public sector, we’re putting in somewhere around $190 million,” Ridley said. “The private sector puts in whatever the balance is. Then the tolls or a portion of the tolls go to pay that off.” The private partner will be selected in six months to a year, Ridley said. Once the funding is in place, construction will take about two­and­a­half years. Public sector participants in the Gilcrease extension include the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the city of Tulsa, Tulsa County, the Indian Nations Council of Governments, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, and the Federal Highway Administration. Planning for the Gilcrease Expressway loop began in the 1950s but stalled at the Arkansas River crossing needed to complete the road around Tulsa.
    [Show full text]
  • FY-08 Legislative Appropriations
    Oklahoma House of Representatives FY‐08 Legislative Appropriations Centennial Edition Fiscal Year 2008 Legislative Appropriations Oklahoma House of Representatives Speaker Lance Cargill Appropriations and Budget Committee Representative Chris Benge, Chairman Representative Ken Miller, Vice Chair July, 2007 Prepared by: House Fiscal Staff Committee and Subcommittee Membership Appropriations and Budget Committee Chris Benge, Chair Ken Miller, Vice Chair John Auffet Guy Liebmann John Carey Bill Nations James Covey Randy Terrill Shane Jett Revenue & Taxation Subcommittee Randy Terrill, Chair Danny Morgan, Vice Chair Dale DeWitt Richard Morrissette Joe Dorman Earl Sears Tad Jones Rules Committee Shane Jett, Chair Bill Nations, Vice Chair James Covey Ryan Kiesel Joe Dorman Greg Piatt Rob Johnson Trebor Worthen Tad Jones Elections & Redistricting Subcommittee Trebor Worthen, Chair Purcy Walker, Vice Chair Dennis Adkins Randy Terrill Ryan McMullen Page i Education Committee Tad Jones, Chair Todd Thomsen, Vice Chair Neil Brannon Sally Kern Ann Coody Ray McCarter Doug Cox Jeannie McDaniel David Dank Eric Proctor Lee Denney Phil Richardson Joe Dorman Jabar Shumate Terry Hyman Dan Sullivan Terry Ingmire Common Education Subcommittee Ann Coody, Chair Neil Brannon, Vice Chair Ed Cannaday Weldon Watson Dale DeWitt Susan Winchester Ray McCarter Higher Education & Career Tech Subcommittee Terry Ingmire, Chair David Derby, Vice Chair Terry Hyman Pam Peterson Charlie Joyner Jabar Shumate Bill Nations Arts & Culture Subcommittee Lee Denney, Chair Ben Sherrer,
    [Show full text]
  • Ally, the Okla- Homa Story, (University of Oklahoma Press 1978), and Oklahoma: a History of Five Centuries (University of Oklahoma Press 1989)
    Oklahoma History 750 The following information was excerpted from the work of Arrell Morgan Gibson, specifically, The Okla- homa Story, (University of Oklahoma Press 1978), and Oklahoma: A History of Five Centuries (University of Oklahoma Press 1989). Oklahoma: A History of the Sooner State (University of Oklahoma Press 1964) by Edwin C. McReynolds was also used, along with Muriel Wright’s A Guide to the Indian Tribes of Oklahoma (University of Oklahoma Press 1951), and Don G. Wyckoff’s Oklahoma Archeology: A 1981 Perspective (Uni- versity of Oklahoma, Archeological Survey 1981). • Additional information was provided by Jenk Jones Jr., Tulsa • David Hampton, Tulsa • Office of Archives and Records, Oklahoma Department of Librar- ies • Oklahoma Historical Society. Guide to Oklahoma Museums by David C. Hunt (University of Oklahoma Press, 1981) was used as a reference. 751 A Brief History of Oklahoma The Prehistoric Age Substantial evidence exists to demonstrate the first people were in Oklahoma approximately 11,000 years ago and more than 550 generations of Native Americans have lived here. More than 10,000 prehistoric sites are recorded for the state, and they are estimated to represent about 10 percent of the actual number, according to archaeologist Don G. Wyckoff. Some of these sites pertain to the lives of Oklahoma’s original settlers—the Wichita and Caddo, and perhaps such relative latecomers as the Kiowa Apache, Osage, Kiowa, and Comanche. All of these sites comprise an invaluable resource for learning about Oklahoma’s remarkable and diverse The Clovis people lived Native American heritage. in Oklahoma at the Given the distribution and ages of studies sites, Okla- homa was widely inhabited during prehistory.
    [Show full text]
  • Journal Header of Some Sort
    1083 Senate Journal Second Regular Session of the Fifty-fifth Legislature of the State of Oklahoma Sixty-sixth Legislative Day, Wednesday, May 25, 2016 The Senate was called to order by Senator Fields. Roll Call: Present: Allen, Anderson, Barrington, Bass, Bice, Bingman, Boggs, Brecheen, Brooks, Brown, Crain, Dahm, David, Dossett, Fields, Floyd, Ford, Fry, Griffin, Halligan, Holt, Jech, Jolley, Justice, Loveless, Marlatt, Matthews, Mazzei, Newberry, Paddack, Pittman, Quinn, Schulz, Sharp, Shaw, Shortey, Silk, Simpson, Smalley, Sparks, Standridge, Stanislawski, Sykes, Thompson, Treat, Wyrick and Yen.—47. Excused: Garrison.—1. Senator Fields declared a quorum present. The prayer was offered by Pastor Dwayne Case, Northeast Church of Christ, Oklahoma City, the guest of Senator Pittman. UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST MOTION TO RECONSIDER VOTES Senator Schulz asked unanimous consent, which was granted, to suspend the provisions of Rule 8-32A to allow motions to reconsider votes be disposed of on the same day such notice is served. 1084 Senate Journal PENDING CONSIDERATION OF JCR The JCR on SB 1616 was adopted upon motion of Senator Jolley. SB 1616 was read at length. On the question of passage of the bill, the vote resulted as follows: Aye: Allen, Barrington, Bice, Bingman, Boggs, Crain, Dahm, David, Fields, Ford, Fry, Griffin, Holt, Jech, Jolley, Justice, Marlatt, Newberry, Quinn, Schulz, Sharp, Shaw, Simpson, Smalley, Standridge, Stanislawski, Sykes, Thompson, Treat and Yen.--30. Nay: Anderson, Brecheen, Brooks, Brown, Dossett, Floyd, Halligan, Loveless, Matthews, Mazzei, Paddack, Pittman, Shortey, Silk, Sparks and Wyrick.--16. Excused: Bass and Garrison.--2. The bill passed. SB 1616 was referred for engrossment. PENDING CONSIDERATION OF HAs HAs to SB 1577 were concurred in upon motion of Senator Bingman.
    [Show full text]