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Arkansas River retrospective

Over the last 13 years, I've written quite a bit about the Arkansas River and proposals for damming and remodeling it, and about what Tulsans really are seeking when they ask for water in the river. Recently I resurrected several of my Urban Tulsa Weekly columns and my 2007...

Posted by Michael Bates on March 29, 2016 6:00 PM

Vague Vision Tulsa: Payola Project for common schools

Among the many flaws in the Vision Tulsa dam tax proposal (on the April 5, 2016, ballot) are what I've decided to call the Payola Projects -- projects that involve giving a chunk of money to various institutions in hopes of winning their constituents' votes for the dam tax. A...

Posted by Michael Bates on March 28, 2016 8:32 PM

Vision Tulsa, Helmerich Park, and strip malls along the Arkansas River

Vision Tulsa Vote Yes ads claim (dishonestly) that approval of the Vision Tulsa Dam Tax hike on April 5, 2016, will prevent future strip malls from being built along the river. In fact, nothing in the Vision Tulsa propositions address development standards. Moreover, the City Council has the power...

Posted by Michael Bates on March 27, 2016 8:55 PM

Tulsa County GOP 2013 platform on river tax proposal, Vision extension

The last time the Tulsa County Republican Party approved a platform was at its 2013 convention. The platform included 13 "planks" (resolutions) dealing with local government, and many of them are applicable to the upcoming Vision Dam Tax vote on April 5, 2016: 3. We believe that public safety -...

Posted by Michael Bates on February 21, 2016 6:24 PM