Sen. Jolley Praises Supreme Court Master Lease Program Ruling

Senator Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, released the following statement in response to Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling allowing plans to build a new state Medical Examiner’s Office on the University of Central Oklahoma’s campus to proceed. A loss of the office’s accreditation in 2009 was in part attributed to an outdated building that is too small and antiquated.

“I would like to thank the Supreme Court for upholding a decision by the Council of Bond Oversight to issue bonds to fund a number of important projects through the state Regents for Higher Education Master Lease Program, including the building of a new state-of-the-art Medical Examiner’s office in Edmond. This ruling will save taxpayer dollars by allowing utilization of low interest rates to fund this project and the others approved by the council.

“This new facility is long overdue and will help the office work toward reaccreditation and rebuilding of its reputation within the state. The families of deceased loved ones across Oklahoma depend on this office for answers, and it is important that we provide those answers in a timely fashion and in a manner that can be relied upon and trusted. This new facility is a perfect fit for the University of Central Oklahoma, where it will work in coordination with the renowned Forensic Science Institute and provide much-needed lab space for the students in the program.

“For years the Master Lease Program has falsely fallen under constitutionality questions and I am pleased the Court has finally put this issue to rest by rejecting challenges to the project. I hope as a result the project can proceed as soon as possible.”