The Legislature finds investments for the purpose of economic development of the State of Oklahoma, including but not limited to authorized economic development projects for the purpose of attracting private investment and job creation, public infrastructure to aid development such as roads, bridges, water treatment, water storage and water delivery facilities, surface water management assets, sanitary sewer facilities and related assets, and other assets owned or maintained by the counties, cities and towns of the state are essential to a safe and productive environment for the residents of the state and visitors to the state. The Legislature further finds that existing fiscal resources at the local government level are not always sufficient to maintain the highest possible standards of safety or quality and that it is an essential function of state government to ensure that critical infrastructure is constructed, maintained and repaired in conformity with such highest possible standards. The Legislature finds that encouraging local governments to cooperate to develop regional infrastructure and economic development projects will most economically and efficiently serve the needs of the state’s citizens. The Legislature finds that the methods of public finance provided for in the Oklahoma Community Economic Development Pooled Finance Act are in furtherance of an essential public and state governmental function.

Added by Laws 2009, c. 309, § 2, eff. July 1, 2009.