Gov. Brad Henry has signed two bills that authorize Oklahoma to issue $25 million of bonds to finance improvements on low-water dams along the Arkansas River near Tulsa and $50 million for water conservation projects across the state.
Both authorizations were included in a single bill passed by the Legislature in 2008, but the Oklahoma Supreme Court said earlier this year that the measure violated the state constitutional ban on bills with more than one subject.
Sen. Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, said the Tulsa area projects financed with bond proceeds would create a total economic impact of $2.8 billion and 9,450 jobs. He said the measure would allow the state to secure an additional $50 million in federal funds for the effort.
