Finances Archives

Too Many Red Flags to Approve a 1.5 Billion Dollar OTA Bond Issue Without Due Diligence

December 4, 2024— “There are just too many red flags for the Council of Bond Oversight (COBO) to approve the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s 1.5-billion-dollar bond issue request that’s on their agenda for their December meeting,” stated Tassie Katherine Hirschfeld, Ph.D. a researcher for Oklahomans for Responsible Transportation. Three objections to the OTA Bond request have […]

Too Many Red Flags to Approve a 1.5 Billion Dollar OTA Bond Issue Without Due Diligence Read More »

Council of Bond Oversight – Thursday, December 5 2024

Darla LeBlanc

Thursday December 5th the Oklahoma Council of Bond Oversight appears to be planning to rubber stamp a new $1.5 billion Turnpike Authority bond offering with no due diligence, putting investors at risk and unfairly penalizing Oklahoma drivers with exponential toll increases for projects that are not economically viable and appear doomed to fail. The COBO

Council of Bond Oversight – Thursday, December 5 2024 Read More »

In a succinct presentation before the Oklahoma Senate Transportation Committee Interim Study Session on September 27, 2022, Professor Tassie Hirschfeld illustrates the absurdity of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority operations. Hirschfeld is a professor in anthropology who specializes in post-soviet autocratic countries and anti-corruption research. In less than 15 minutes Hirschfeld explains how the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority operates more like a Soviet regime than a "State of Oklahoma" agency.

How the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority operates like a Soviet Regime

Exposing the OTA / Pike Off OTA

In a succinct presentation before the Oklahoma Senate Transportation Committee on September 27, 2022, Professor Tassie Hirschfeld illustrates the absurdity of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority operations. Hirschfeld is a professor in anthropology who specializes in post-soviet autocratic countries and anti-corruption research. Watch Hirschfeld explain how the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority operates more like a Soviet regime

How the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority operates like a Soviet Regime Read More »

Objections to possible COBO Bond Approval – September 2023

Uncategorized / Pike Off OTA

The Council of Bond Oversight (COBO) meeting agenda for Monday September 11, includes as agenda item 3 Discussion and possible action regarding approval of the request from the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to issue up to $500 million of Second Senior Revenue Bonds, Series 2023 In other words, COBO will discuss, and possibly approve, the Oklahoma

Objections to possible COBO Bond Approval – September 2023 Read More »

Council for Bond Oversight – Objection

Darla LeBlanc

Pike OFF OTA and others submitted multiple objection letters to the OTA’s application to sell $500 million in revenue bonds for the ACCESS program. The application will be read and discussed at the September 11th Council of Bond Oversight Meeting. We need YOU in the room to show COBO that they must follow the law

Council for Bond Oversight – Objection Read More »

A Yellow Road sign reads "Bumpy Road Ahead Caution" next to the words Oklahoma Turnpike Truths

Why does a roadway cost more when the OTA is in charge?

Exposing the OTA / Pike Off OTA

**Based on an original cost assessment by Michael Nash on May 29, 2022. Posted with permission** There is a very large cost discrepancy between the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). Both of these agencies operate in Oklahoma and build roads to serve the same population. Both agencies are headed

Why does a roadway cost more when the OTA is in charge? Read More »

ACCESS PROGRAM UPDATE Until the Oklahoma Supreme Court issues its decision on OTA's application for approval of bonds, the OA does not have access to the bond market to fund planning and construction activities for the ACCES Oklahoma Program.

Where Does the OTA’s money come from?

Blog / Pike Off OTA

Where does the OTA’s money come from? From tolls? Yes. But also from bonds! The large sums of money needed to fund new turnpike projects come primarily from bonds. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) was counting on new bonds to fund the new ACCESS turnpike projects. Since August of 2022, OTA has been operating under

Where Does the OTA’s money come from? Read More »

Turnpike Expansions Will Harm State

Blog, News / Amy Cerato

Originally written by Tassie Katherine Hirschfeld and Amy Cerato and published in the Tulsa World on January 6, 2023. Tulsa World link. An effort is underway to expand turnpike construction under the guise of economic development. After reviewing the troubled history and past performance of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, we believe projects such as the

Turnpike Expansions Will Harm State Read More »

Oklahoma, Take Your Eyes Off the Road. Part 3 of the “Oklahoma, you have a turnpike problem” series

Exposing the OTA / Pike Off OTA

**Originally written by Katherine (Tassie) Hirschfeld, Ph.D., in July 2022. Updated December 2022 and printed here with permission of author.** Oklahomans, what are we going to do about the Turnpike problem? It has only gotten worse since my first column back in May (Part 1). Despite multiple lawsuits alleging serious illegalities on the part of

Oklahoma, Take Your Eyes Off the Road. Part 3 of the “Oklahoma, you have a turnpike problem” series Read More »

Is Oklahoma on the way to Pennsylvania? Part 2 of the “Oklahoma, you have a turnpike problem” series.

Exposing the OTA / Pike Off OTA

**Originally written and published by Katherine (Tassie) Hirschfeld, Ph.D., in the Oklahoman in May 2022. Updated December 2022 and re-printed here with permission of author.** This week’s column starts with a pop quiz: How much does it cost to drive from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia on the Pennsylvania Turnpike? The answer has two parts: 1)

Is Oklahoma on the way to Pennsylvania? Part 2 of the “Oklahoma, you have a turnpike problem” series. Read More »