Sen. Deevers on why voters should reject State Question 833

The following is a column by State Sen. Dusty Deevers (R-Elgin) about the dangers of State Question 833. I concur:

Rejecting Oklahoma SQ 833 – The Case Against Public Infrastructure Districts (PIDs)
Originally posted at OKGrassroots

State Question 833 (SQ 833) introduces Public Infrastructure Districts (PIDs), giving developers significant control over infrastructure financing at taxpayers’ expense. Here’s why voters should say “No” to SQ 833.

1. PIDs Burden Taxpayers with Long-Term Costs

• PIDs allow developers to shift infrastructure costs onto property owners through special property taxes that can last for decades, even after developers have profited and moved on.

2. Developer Influence on Local Politics by Shifting Power to Special Interests

• Similar to Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts, PIDs give developers leverage over local governance. This opens the door to political favoritism, where developers can game the system to gain tax advantages and special treatment.

3. Loss of Transparency and Oversight through Complex Bureaucracy

• PIDs add layers of government bureaucracy with minimal public input, making oversight difficult. The lack of clear rules for dissolving PIDs and vague governance structures risk unchecked developer control.

4. Lessons in Increased Corruption from Failed TIF Districts

• TIFs have already shown how developers can influence local elections and bend policies to suit their interests. PIDs will likely worsen this, embedding special interests deeper into local government.

5. Threat to Simple, Accountable Government by Erosion of the Free-Market

• PIDs bypass traditional free-market practices, allowing government-backed financing that distorts genuine market demand and punishes developers who play by the rules.

6. Legislators Who Voted “No” on PID Legislation (SJR 16) in the 2024 Oklahoma Session

• These legislators advocated for a simpler, transparent government structure that serves taxpayers, not special interests:

Senate: Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow); Dusty Deevers (R-Elgin); Shane Jett (R-Shawnee); Warren Hamilton (R-McCurtain)

Oklahoma House of Representatives: David Banning (R-Bixby); Tom Gann (R-Inola); Jim Olsen (R-Roland)

7. Vote “No” to Protect Taxpayers, Keep Government Accountable, and Reject Special-Interest Schemes

• Voting “No” on SQ 833 keeps taxpayers from carrying the financial weight of risky, developer-driven districts and supports transparent, free-market governance.

SQ 833 is a handout to developers, enabling costly, complex government-backed districts.

Voting “No” preserves a simpler, fairer government structure that works for taxpayers—not special interests.