OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – On Monday, legislators introduced a plan to repay the billions of {dollars} owed in utility charges from February’s storm, however some Oklahomans have massive considerations with how shortly that is occurring and not using a thorough investigation.
“Can we not sluggish this laws down?” mentioned Pam Bracken, Voice OKC member representing Mosaic United Methodist Church.
Voice OKC, a coalition of congregations, employee associations, faculties and non-profit teams, giving a voice to Oklahomans slapped with large utility payments.
“We’re speaking to people who find themselves already laborious pressed to pay their customary utility invoice. Not to mention one which may be 50% increased,” mentioned Eric Jergensen, Voice OKC member representing Oscar Romero Catholic Employee Home.
On Monday, legislators introduced a plan to repay the $4.5 billion owed.
With out assist, officers say Oklahomans whose pure gasoline invoice averages $100 a month might pay as near $2000 a month for the subsequent 8 months. However the financing plan– bringing that invoice nearer to $150 per thirty days.
“My thought is that this, we’re most likely gonna must unfold out some sort of fee. However I believe we have to look very laborious on the $4.5 billion,” Jergensen mentioned.
“Examine, examine, examine. Observe what occurred and the way it occurred. How did costs get that top?” Bracken mentioned.
The Alex Gerszewski, Communications Director for the Legal professional Basic despatched Information 4 this assertion in response–
“The investigation course of underway is complicated and time consuming. Our workplace is totally engaged with the intervening events, with people who made transactions and proceed to collect proof and knowledge. Our workplace will maintain firms accountable in the event that they violated Oklahoma regulation.”
However Voice OKC says there needs to be a plan shifting ahead. Particularly if Oklahoma is with one other main climate occasion within the close to future.
“We would layer debt upon debt if we don’t tackle a few of these underlying points,” Jergensen mentioned.
“To hurry this by means of, to not ask these actually laborious questions. The company fee wants an opportunity to actually take a look at this. The federal authorities ought to most likely be concerned to take a look at this,” Bracken mentioned.
The proposed plan would wish to make it by means of legislature after which be signed by Governor Stitt to enter impact.
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