Rep. Brian Renegar was joined by three other state representatives to ask for the Attorney General’s opinion on the appointment of a new member to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB). The group believes Governor Fallin should appoint a District 9 member, instead of letting an “at-large” member continue to serve.
At issue is Senate Bill 965. The measure eliminated the “at-large” seat on the OWRB and created the District 9 seat for southeast Oklahoma. The law passed in 2013 and set the expiration for the “at-large” seat in May 2016. The Governor has yet to appoint someone to serve as the new District 9 member.
The group hopes to get an answer from the AG’s office as soon as possible. Representatives Donnie Condit, Ed Cannaday and Johnny Tadlock joined Renegar in asking for the opinion.
Tadlock had harsh words for the lack of an appointment by the Governor.
“The Governor is screwing rural southeastern Oklahoma again, just like her Corrections Department director did when he closed inmate work centers in the southeast. Another example of failed state leadership,” said Tadlock.
Condit believes southeast Oklahoma deserves a voice in the use of the state’s water resources.
“Rural southeastern Oklahomans have not had a voice on the Water Board for decades,” Condit said. “The Governor is bowing to pressure from the board and doesn’t want to follow the law.”
Cannaday said the appointment is important to his constituents.
“I am dismayed at Governor Fallin’s blatant disregard of a statutory mandate calling for the timely appointment of a member to the Water Resources Board,” Cannaday said. “There are critical decisions pending that will impact my legislative district and its citizens. The Governor is obligated to comply with the law rather than pretend that she has acquired new authority that trumps state statutes.”
