On transportation, gubernatorial candidates find common ground
Gubernatorial candidates Kevin Stitt and Drew Edmondson largely agreed on the state's continued need for infrastructure spending during a forum Thursday, saying it would be a priority for their respective administrations.
“Infrastructure is something that’s going to be key in a Stitt administration," the Republican candidate said. "I talk about being top 10 and being top 10 in infrastructure is something that’s dear to my heart."
“I thought it was a sad state of affairs,” Edmondson said, “when, because of budgetary problems … some thought it was necessary to raid Department of Transportation funds to the tune of $500 million a year for two years.”
The forum was at the Oklahoma History Center and hosted by TRUST — or Transportation Revenues Used Strictly for Transportation— an advocacy group for transportation funding. The candidates were questioned separately, Stitt first and Edmondson later in the afternoon. They did not share a stage.
Questions were asked by former Gov. Frank Keating, a Republican whose tenure as governor overlapped with Edmondson’s tenure as attorney general.
“I have had a great time picking this guy’s brain,” Stitt said of Keating. “I tell people, I don’t have to do a lot of studies when I get to the governor’s office. I simply need to dust off all of the ideas that he had.”
Bothcandidatessaidthey support the current turnpike system but stopped short of calls for expanding it. Stitt said leaving maintenance of the turnpikes to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is not fiscally feasible, but he urged better coordination between the Transportation Department and the Turnpike Authority.
“I would be very cautious about proposals to build additional turnpikes with turnpike revenue,” Edmondson said. “I’m open to that discussion but I would be very cautious about moving in that direction.”
Both candidates praised highway systems in other states and countries. Stitt said he has spoken with Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam about the importance of infrastructure to that state’s expanding economy. Edmondson said he has driven on six-lane roads that prohibit tractor trailers in one lane, a change he supports.
“If we get a good network of six-lane roads, rather than four-lane roads, I want that bill introduced and I want to sign it. I want only cars in the far left lane so you don’t get stuck behind two trucks, both going 65 miles-perhour on a 75 mile-per-hour road,” the Democrat said, drawing cheers from the crowd.
The candidates agreed far more often than they disagreed. Both said infrastructure can be an economic driver, both support increased federal spending for infrastructure, both support the state’s roads fund and both believe the state should continue helping counties with their infrastructure needs.
“I think we have to have coordination between the counties and ODOT,” Stitt said.
Bothcandidatessaidthey understand the importance of working with the federal government, which funds much of transportation infrastructure. Stitt said he has talked with Oklahoma’s senators about the topic and Edmondson said he won’t criticize President Donald Trump to ensure comity exists if he becomes governor.
“I have purposely and deliberately not engaged in any attacks against the current administration and don’t intend to. I think that’s counterproductive,” Edmondson said.