Oklahoma Lawmaker Criticizes Oklahoma Spending Project

OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma lawmaker is in Congress, pointing the finger at wasteful spending. Senator Tom Coburn is specifically criticizing a project right in Oklahoma City.

Senator Coburn's reacting to a report called the Pet Project that explains how $78 billion in federal dollars intended for highway projects went toward everything but highways. The Oklahoma River Cruises are on that list.

The Oklahoma River Cruises are the newest way for people to travel from the hotels on Meridian to downtown Oklahoma City.

"To call it wasteful or something of that nature, we disagree as we feel the river is a very important aspect of Oklahoma City and central Oklahoma," Michael Scroggins with the Metro Transit said.

Nearly $3.2 million federal dollars paid for two of the million dollar boats, a docking facility and improvements to the locks on the river.

"We totally abided by the laws, we just applied for the grant, you know what grants are made available is strictly out of our hands," Scroggins said.

According to the Federal Transit Administration the two grants came from money meant for highway and bridge improvements. Someone in Congress earmarked the millions for the ferry boats instead.

"Our priorities are messed up," said Sen. Coburn. "The American people know our priorities are messed up."

Sen. Coburn specifically criticizes spending on the River Cruises. But those who used the money say the federal dollars were critical to get these cruises up and running.

"This is a very important project for the city of Oklahoma City and we're very proud of it and we make no regrets about it," Scroggins said.

It's safe to assume a member of the Oklahoma Congressional delegation likely shifted that money toward the river cruises. Since it came in between 2005 and 2008, it's tough to know which lawmaker's responsible. This is the first year; the law requires the government to track who earmarks what dollars.

More on News9.com:

Few of Oklahoma's Worst Bridges Get Stimulus Money | See how the state is spending money from the federal stimulus | Read Sen. Coburn's Report | Coburn's Oversight Action & Legislations