Pro Tem Bingman statement on unanimous Supreme Court decision for Oklahoma in Texas water lawsuit

Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman issued the following statement in reaction to Thursday’s ruling by the United States Supreme Court siding with Oklahoma in a water dispute with Texas. The court ruled unanimously that the four state Red River compact did not entitle Texas the right to purchase water from Oklahoma without the state’s consent.

“This unanimous ruling affirms Oklahoma’s right to determine how this precious natural resource will be used. Having adequate water supplies is critical to our state’s ability to create and attract more jobs, promoting even greater economic growth.

“We also understand the importance of developing a long-term water plan to meet our citizens’ needs. It’s why I helped create the Joint Legislative Water Committee in 2011 that included members from every part of Oklahoma. We also must continue to work with the Tribes on this crucial issue—but all of these efforts would be completely undermined if another state had the ability to take Oklahoma’s water whether we agreed or not. That’s why this Supreme Court decision is so important.”