Gov. Stitt Vetoes Bill That Would Have Changed The Number Of OTA Members He Could Appoint

Governor Kevin Stitt has vetoed a bill that would have changed how many members of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority he can appoint.

Under current state law, the governor appoints all six members. House Bill 2263 would have changed that so the Governor would have appointed two, the Speaker of the House would have appointed two and the Senate Pro-Temp would have appointed two.

Governor Stitt says the bill is not allowed by the Oklahoma Constitution, which divides powers between three departments.

In a statement Governor Stitt says "While the Legislature has the authority to make law, it does not have the power to carry it out or to appoint agents charged with the duty of enforcement; a purely executive function."

The bill will now go back to the legislature where the veto could be over-ridden.