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Court's ruling takes back state's 'gift' to Tulsa

The Oklahoman Editorial | Published: November 23, 2012 Comment on this article

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Without the court's action, the Zink Dam and MAPS would have shared an important trait: Oklahoma City natives would have substantially paid for both through their taxes. Tulsans and other non-Oklahoma City residents didn't fund MAPS unless they chose to shop here. The court's ruling sends the message that Tulsans must be responsible for Tulsa. When projects are worthwhile, we hope Tulsa follows Oklahoma City's lead in the future.

More importantly, opposition to debt of any kind has made it nearly impossible to get legislative approval of bonds. If lawmakers must worry that money will be diverted to new uses after approval, future bond projects of all kinds will get even less support.

The court's ruling effectively removes that objection and makes financing true state needs a little bit easier.

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