Some officials to vote against 1st Vision2 question

BY BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
Sunday, October 28, 2012
10/28/12 at 7:45 AM

Four Tulsa city councilors plan to vote against Vision2's Proposition 1, which would generate $386.8 million for airport industrial park improvements and a deal-closing fund.

The Tulsa World surveyed elected leaders from Tulsa County and its municipalities about how they will cast their personal votes Nov. 6 on the two Vision2 ballot items totaling $748.8 million

The vast majority of officials said they will say "yes" to both propositions, the second of which would fund $362 million worth of quality-of-life projects across the area.

But Tulsa City Councilors G.T. Bynum, Blake Ewing, Karen Gilbert and Jeannie Cue said they can't support Proposition 1.

Bynum has been openly critical of the $52.9 million deal-closing fund aspect, which would have a government authority parceling out tax dollars to help lure new and expand existing businesses.

"I wish the airport infrastructure component was stand-alone because it is needed," he said, "but, unfortunately, it is on the same ballot item with a deal-closing fund that gives politicians tens of millions of dollars to dole out to hand-picked winners in the private sector."

Projections have shown that the fund could easily be worth three times its stated amount because of inflation.

Cue said she has too many questions about how the money would be monitored to feel comfortable voting for it.

Ewing and Gilbert expressed unease with such a major tax investment that largely would benefit American Airlines, given American's ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.

"While I believe there to be a great value in working with our aerospace employers to make Tulsa the best place in the world for them to be, I'm not at all convinced that this proposal is the right one in timing, in structure or in plans for oversight," Ewing said.

"Nobody has made a convincing case that we needed to rush this onto a November ballot in the middle of AA's bankruptcy proceedings. It should wait."

Most elected leaders, including Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett, said it's critical to approve Proposition 1 with the goal of preserving jobs through the repair and modernization of the city-owned facilities they lease.

"The aerospace and manufacturing jobs located at the airport remain the single largest economic driver in our city, and in order to compete for these jobs in the future, we need to update our outdated city-owned facilities," Bartlett said.

Sand Springs Mayor Mike Burdge agreed, saying, "We need to keep the jobs we have here - no need inviting jobs in the front door and watching old jobs go out the back door."

Tulsa County Assessor Ken Yazel said he will vote against both propositions.

"Until I see an independent, comprehensive reconciliation of the entire Vision 2025 project, including all expenditures to date and projected projects and surpluses through the end of the program, I cannot support an extension of the tax."

No other elected leader joined Yazel in opposing Proposition 2, which would fund quality-of-life projects such as low-water dams, other new infrastructure, zoo upgrades, and street, park and pool improvements.

However, Ewing remains undecided on the second proposition.

It's not all black and white but will be so on the ballot, he said.

"While I don't believe it's wise to make decisions about how to spend extremely large amounts of public dollars five years ahead of funding and without adequate time to craft a well-planned list of projects, our circumstances have put us in a difficult situation," he said.

Ewing has said he is frustrated that a defeat of Vision2 could tarnish the brand started with Vision 2025, of which he was supportive.

"We shouldn't be voting on this at all right now," he said, "but sadly, I fear that if we don't pass this one, the after-effects of its failure might keep us from having another chance at funding some of these important projects down the line."

Other elected leaders said they support Proposition 2 because the projects will help the region move forward.

"We have some pretty strong needs in our community that we wouldn't be able to accomplish without this," Broken Arrow Mayor Craig Thurmond said.

Vision2 Co-Chairman Don Walker said he's proud that so many elected officials have lined up behind the initiative.

"The majority obviously see the need and importance to do what we can to preserve jobs in this current economy and improve our assets," he said.

Walker said the four Tulsa city councilors who plan to vote against Proposition 1 are misguided.

"I'm very disappointed in any leader who would play Russian roulette with jobs," he said. "I am surprised that they believe their opposition to this is in the best interest of their constituents.

"In my opinion, it's just the opposite. It's dangerous."

American Airlines' bankruptcy proceedings shouldn't affect their decision, Walker said.

"They should understand that a message to American Airlines from Tulsa (through the passage of Vision2) would be an assurance that Tulsa wants it to remain here," he said.

Ronda Vuillemont-Smith of the opposition group Citizens for a Better Vision said the elected officials who are supporting the two propositions are showing that they are out of touch with their constituents.

"When this is defeated - and I believe it will be - they are going to need to take a step back and remember that it's the citizens of Tulsa County or the city they are from that have elected them and not the chamber of commerce," she said.

The Tulsa Metro Chamber spearheaded the Vision2 initiative with some elected leaders in response to American Airlines' bankruptcy, and the package grew from there.

Vuillemont-Smith said she's not surprised that so many officials are saying they will vote yes on Vision2.

"I think they are afraid of what the chamber will do to them, get someone to challenge them, if they step out of line," she said. "It's a shame."

But the people are getting wise to what's going on, Vuillemont-Smith said.

"Throughout this whole thing, the elected leaders have been saying, 'Just trust us. We know what's best.' But we don't trust what's going on."

CITY OF TULSA

Mayor Dewey Bartlett

Proposition 1: Yes

“The aerospace and manufacturing jobs located at the airport remain the single largest economic driver in our city and in order to compete for these jobs in the future we need to update our outdated city-owned facilities.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“Without raising taxes, we can build infrastructure in Tulsa that our city greatly needs and receive funding for important projects we’ve been working on for a long time, such as the Arkansas River dams and the Gilcrease Expressway.”

Council Chairman G.T. Bynum (District 9)

Proposition 1: No

“I wish the airport infrastructure component was stand-alone because it is needed, but unfortunately it is on the same ballot item with a deal-closing fund that gives politicians tens of millions of dollars to dole out to hand-picked winners in the private sector.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“Putting water in the Arkansas River is the most transformative thing we could do for Tulsa over the next half century, and this empowers Tulsans to finally build those dams as part of an unprecedented partnership with the Creek Nation and the city of Jenks.”

Councilor Jack Henderson (District 1)

Proposition 1: Yes

“We spend a lot of time looking for new jobs to come to town, but this is what we need to do to save a lot of jobs that are already here.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“There’s a lot in this for north Tulsa, from parks and pools to Morton Health Center and Gilcrease Expressway, and the river dams are exciting for everyone.”

Councilor Jeannie Cue (District 2)

Proposition 1: No

“I can’t support it because I have too many unanswered questions about how the money would be monitored.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“The things we decided to include for Vision2 as a City Council will truly better our city.”

Councilor David Patrick (District 3)

Proposition 1: Yes

“The airport is in my council district, and I definitely see the benefits of improving the assets we have out there and protecting the jobs.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“I think we put together a good set of projects that will help move Tulsa forward.”

Councilor Blake Ewing (District 4)

Proposition 1: No

“Nobody has made a convincing case that we needed to rush this to a November ballot in the middle of the AA’s bankruptcy proceedings.”

Proposition 2: Undecided

“We shouldn’t be voting on this at all right now, but sadly, I fear that if we don’t pass this one, the after-effects of its failure might keep us from having another chance at funding some of these important projects down the line.”

Councilor Karen Gilbert (District 5)

Proposition 1: No

“There are too many variables with not knowing what’s going to happen in the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings of American Airlines.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“I’m always in favor of improving our quality of life and think we need to stay on the track of Vision 2025, which has been phenomenal for the city of Tulsa.”

Councilor Skip Steele (District 6)

Proposition 1: Yes

“This is important to the economy, and we own these facilities and need to maintain them.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“We’ve gotten lots of feedback from the community, and this proposition represents a good cross section of what Tulsans want.”

Councilor Tom Mansur (District 7)

Proposition 1: Yes

“These facilities are very much in need of being repaired and updated.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“Although there are elements with which people will disagree, I think these quality- of-life kinds of projects need to be done, and with interest rates where they are now’s the time to do it.”

Councilor Phil Lakin (District 8)

Proposition 1: Yes

“In Vision 2025, 60 percent of voters decided we should spend $350 million to recruit an aviation business to Tulsa — Why in the world wouldn’t we vote to spend just over $200 million in Vision2 to help retain a core component of our economy, the aerospace industry, which has defined Tulsa and contributed billions since 1946?”

Proposition 2: Yes

“The council selected projects that have been studied and debated for years, many of which are included in PlaniTulsa, and we finally have a chance to fund these projects, just as we did the BOK Center, which will grow our sales-tax revenues to help fix our streets, and give us more things to enjoy with our families and friends.”

TULSA COUNTY SUBURBAN CITIES

Broken Arrow

Mayor Craig Thurmond

Proposition 1: Yes

“I think we cannot afford to lose over $1 billion worth of payroll a year as far as the job package goes. It would impact our economy; it would throw our local economy into a recession, I believe, if it doesn’t pass.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“We have some pretty strong needs in our community that we wouldn’t be able to accomplish without this.”

Bixby

Mayor Ray Bowen

Proposition 1: Yes

“The reason is jobs, jobs, jobs for Tulsa County.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“I see these projects as good for Tulsa County residents and especially Bixby, as we see the prospect of another bridge crossing in south Tulsa County as of great benefit for Bixby and the Tulsa region.”

Collinsville

Mayor Herb Weaver

Proposition 1: Yes

“Proposition 1 is needed to help improve our airport.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“Proposition 2 will be used to improve quality of life in the communities as did Vision 2025.”

Glenpool

Mayor Tommy Carner

Proposition 1: Yes

“I think the facilities at the airport being upgraded will either keep American here, or if they leave, will allow Tulsa to be able to recruit businesses to fill the space.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“Keeping Vision’s original intent of raising the quality of life in communities, by allowing each community to fulfill needs, will continue with the passage of Vision2.”

Jenks

Mayor Vic Vreeland

Proposition 1: Yes

“I think that it’s imperative we do everything we possibly can to save the existing jobs at the airlines and put everything in place to cause more jobs to come there.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“We need to keep all the good things moving that we started with (Vision) 2025.”

Owasso

Mayor Doug Bonebrake

Proposition 1: Yes

“Considering over 800 workers from Owasso are employees at the Tulsa Airport, I endorse Proposition 1 of the Vision2 jobs initiative.”

Proposition 2: Unresponsive

“I encourage all Tulsa County voters to research their community’s plans for Vision 2 projects.”

Sand Springs

Mayor Mike Burdge

Proposition 1: Yes

“We need to keep the jobs we have here — no need inviting jobs in the front door and watching old jobs go out the back door.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“We have a chance to invest in our future, and no one should be more eager to create opportunities than us.”

Skiatook

Mayor Josh Brown

(lives in Osage County and won’t be able to vote)

Proposition 1: Yes

“This proposition would allow Tulsa International Airport to receive much needed upgrades to its infrastructure, and our proximity to the airport gives Skiatook a unique opportunity for both growth and convenience.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“These projects are beneficial not only for Tulsans, but for the residents of Skiatook.”

Sperry Mayor

Debbie Lamberson Eastin

Proposition 1: Yes

“Jobs are essential to the economy of Tulsa and surrounding communities. Attracting and retaining business is like a competitive sport; the best resources and infrastructure are required to attract or retain the best players/jobs but a win is never guaranteed.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“Vision funds, if approved, would be allocated across key areas: utility infrastructure, storm water management, economic and recreational development based on community needs, citizen feedback, and approval by Tulsa County and Sperry Board of Trustees.”

TULSA COUNTY

Commissioner John Smaligo

Proposition 1: Yes

“I believe that Vision2 represents a great opportunity for each of our communities to invest in themselves in order to retain and grow jobs and improve our quality of life, all without raising taxes.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“Together, these proposals allow each city and the county to address vital regional needs as well as retain their autonomy in selecting local projects that they believe will best benefit their own residents.”

Commissioner Fred Perry

Proposition 1: Yes

“I am voting ‘yes’ for Proposition 1 in order to save and/or attract thousands of jobs at the airport industrial complex.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“Many of the projects (such as the new juvenile center, the levee and roads/bridges) are badly needed.”

Commissioner Karen Keith

Proposition 1: Yes

“I’ll vote ‘yes’ on Proposition 1 because I believe it’s important to secure our aging airport complex infrastructure so it’s viable for companies in this century, and the job-creation fund gives us the opportunity to attract and grow business in the region.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“A ‘yes’ vote for Proposition 2 will continue the forward movement started with Vision 2025 by addressing the capital needs of our communities including the Juvenile Justice Center, repairs on the levee, road and bridge funds, improvements at the zoo and sufficient funding to get two lower dams on the Arkansas River.”

Assessor Ken Yazel

Proposition 1: No

“Until I see an independent, comprehensive reconciliation of the entire Vision 2025 project, including all expenditures to date and projected projects and surpluses through the end of the program, I cannot support an extension of the tax.”

Proposition 2: No

Same reason

Treasurer Dennis Semler

Proposition 1: Yes

“I will vote ‘yes’ on Proposition 1 because it is extremely important for Tulsa to retain the aerospace industry.”

Proposition 2: Yes

“I will vote ‘yes’ on Proposition 2 because a new juvenile bureau is a matter of public safety and because river development will bring economic expansion. Extension of an existing tax is not a tax increase.”

About Vision2

Vote date: Nov. 6

Amount: $748.8 million

Tax impact: Extension of 0.6 percent Vision 2025 sales tax from 2017 through 2029

Proposition 1: Economic development

Airport industrial complex buildings and infrastructure: $122 million

Airport industrial complex equipment: $132 million

Closing fund: $52.942 million

Bond costs and interest: $79.938 million

Proposition 2: Quality-of-life improvements

Tulsa County: $92 million

Tulsa: $157.92 million

Bixby: $11.3 million

Broken Arrow: $44.1 million

Collinsville: $3 million

Glenpool: $5.9 million

Jenks: $9.2 million

Owasso: $14.38 million

Sand Springs: $10.1 million

Skiatook: $1.16 million

Sperry: $643,894

Bond costs and interest: $12 million

World Staff Writers Kevin Canfield, Susan Hylton, Rhett Morgan and Zack Stoycoff contributed to this story.

Original Print Headline: Officials to vote no on 1st Vision2 question

Brian Barber 918-581-8322
brian.barber@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Blake Ewing: He's leery of a tax plan that largely benefits American Airlines while it's in ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.