Mayor Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr. OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

March 18, 2014

The Honorable Governor, State of Oklahoma State Capitol 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd, Room 212 Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Dear Governor Fallin:

Liberals and champions of big government spending are pleading today with the state to keep, rather than sell, the Sooner Sub rail line. As you may be aware, on March 4th I vetoed a Resolution passed by the Tulsa City Council encouraging the state not to sell the Sooner Sub rail line. I believe that the state will be best served by a private owner continuing to operate the rail line. It is better in the private sector where true value and economic growth can occur, freight can continue to be transported to free markets, and if possible there may even be a chance for passenger rail between Tulsa and Oklahoma City from private rail operators.

I applaud your efforts to move in this direction by evaluating a sale of the Sooner Sub rail line. You are working to make our state government smaller and turn over functions better left to the private sector economy. Oklahoma does not belong in the rail business. If private companies are willing to spend their own money to operate a railroad then we should encourage and allow them to do so.

Passenger rail between Tulsa and Oklahoma City would be a very good thing for our area and all of the state. I recently supported an amended version of the resolution I vetoed, one that supports passenger rail development between Tulsa and Oklahoma City, but it does not ask the state to keep the Sooner Sub rail line. This issue should not be tied to the sale of the rail line. I have more confidence in the private sector to deliver the service than I do the government.

The state should, and I understand is looking for a private owner – operator that will consider passenger rail service. If this is viable in the private sector they will provide it. Anyone that suggests we should connect the two issues – the sale of the rail line and passenger service – is really just making a plea for government subsidy and control of the passenger rail industry in Oklahoma. If one does not have confidence in the private sectors ability to provide passenger rail they clearly do not have confidence in a true market for the service.

CITY HALL AT ONE TECHNOLOGY CENTER 175 E. 2nd St.  Tulsa, OK 74103  Office 918.596.7411  Fax 918.596.9010 Email: [email protected] www.cityoftulsa.org

There are two wonderful and capable companies vying for the Sooner Sub rail line. I am glad they are choosing to do business in Oklahoma and I hope that this sale, if it should occur, will improve rail operations in our state.

I appreciate your consideration of my comments and look forward to continuing to work with you on the issues that impact our state.

Best Regards,

Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr. Mayor

CC:

Secretary Oklahoma Department of Transportation 200 NE 21st Street Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Secretary Oklahoma Department of Finance 2300 North Lincoln Boulevard, Room 122 Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Secretary Oklahoma Department of Commerce 900 North Stiles Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Secretary Jim Reese Oklahoma Department of Agriculture 2800 North Lincoln Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Secretary Michael Teague Oklahoma Department of Energy and Environment 100 North Broadway, Suite 2350 Oklahoma City, OK 73102

CITY HALL AT ONE TECHNOLOGY CENTER 175 E. 2nd St.  Tulsa, OK 74103  Office 918.596.7411  Fax 918.596.9010 Email: [email protected] www.cityoftulsa.org