Lawmakers call GRDA plan an insult and assault on Northeastern Oklahoma

Eight legislators from Northeastern Oklahoma have united to voice their opposition to the Grand River Dam Authority Board (GRDA) of Directors’ plans to purchase an office building in Tulsa. The lawmakers have sent a letter to the Board calling the plan “an assault upon and insult to Northeastern Oklahoma.”
State Sen. Sean Burrage said the group is against the GRDA’s planned purchase of a 40,000 square foot office building in Tulsa—a community not served by the electric company.

“Since its very beginnings, GRDA has maintained its operations in Northeastern Oklahoma. They’ve claimed they need an office in Tulsa in able to recruit engineers and other positions, but we’re just not buying it,” said Burrage, D-Claremore. “We’ve seen recent growth at the Mid America Industrial Park in Pryor and industries like Google who have announced major investments here. To expand their operations outside of the area GRDA serves is a slap in the face to all of us in Northeastern Oklahoma.”

Burrage said the lawmakers have requested that the letter be read at the Wednesday, May 9 meeting of the GRDA Board of Directors. Other lawmakers signing the letter include Sen. Charles Wyrick, D-Fairland; Sen. Kim David, R-Porter; Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah; Rep. Larry Glenn, D-Miami; Rep. Ben Sherrer, D-Chouteau; Rep. Chuck Hoskin, D-Vinita; and Rep. Doug Cox, R-Grove.

Letter to GRDA Board