Fent’s Next Target: Calls OK Capitol Bonds Unconstitutional
Oklahoma Supreme Court may review constitutionality of law to refurbish crumbling Oklahoma state Capitol
by Rick Green, NewsOK.com
Attorney Jerry Fent has filed a formal objection to a law to refurbish the state Capitol, likely triggering an Oklahoma Supreme Court review of the measure.
Fent, who has a long history of challenging laws he feels are unconstitutional, said issuance of $120 million in bonds for the project cannot take place until the court considers his objection. State officials said they would ask the court to rule on the matter.
Fent, of Oklahoma City, sent a letter to Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, Attorney General Scott Pruitt and the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority on Tuesday objecting to the law to issue bonds to repair and refurbish the crumbling, nearly 100-year-old state Capitol.
He said that since the law, House Joint Resolution 1033, is specific to only one building, this is a “special law” as defined in the Oklahoma Constitution. Bills that would create such laws must be published in a newspaper for four consecutive weeks before the measure is considered, according to the constitution. Fent said no such publication occurred.