Truth Test-Stratton Taylor's ads

Wednesday, October 23rd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Two weeks from now - the election will be over, but for the next 13 days - some campaign ads will no doubt stretch the truth. News on Six reporter Emory Bryan has another edition of the truth test.

We're focusing on a smaller race - where a powerful candidate has the money to advertise. Stratton Taylor's television campaign is unusual because state senate candidates usually can't afford it. As Senate President Pro-Temp - he's gathered the political muscle to raise money. His ads reflect a record of bringing home the bacon.

Announcer: "he wrote the legislation that created Rogers State University." Thatâ€™s true; Taylor and a handful of other legislators negotiated the deal that made Rogers State a 4-year school. It was part of the plan that ultimately created separate OSU and OU campuses in Tulsa.

Announcer: "(he) got funds to expand the veterans center." Taylor can take credit there too - even though most of the most of the money for the expansion came from the federal, not state government.

And then there's the issue of making a toll road free - a part of the Will Rogers Turnpike. Announcer: "and passed legislation that will soon make the turnpike free between Claremore and Tulsa." And as impossible as it sounds - there's some truth in that too. A section of the Will Rogers Turnpike will be toll-free eventually - but it won't be free anytime soon. The deal hinges on the state completing a Claremore highway 20 bypass. It's still mainly just on the drawing board - and at best is several years away from completion. The Department of Transportation says the project is not funded - and with tight budgets ahead - it's very likely to be delayed. And calling it free is a matter of opinion - the state will actually lease the road from the Turnpike Authority - and pay the tolls out of tax money.

Taylorâ€™s opponent is a Republican named Carol Hall - she's from Adair. She is not running any television advertising - and neither are the other legislative candidates.