A recent survey conducted among Norman residents has shed light on the lack of support for a proposed entertainment district. The findings indicate that if an election were to be held today, the district would likely not pass. The survey, which encompassed over 500 residents, showed that 68.7% of registered voters are opposed to the creation of a tax increment finance district. This significant percentage highlights the prevailing sentiment among the local population.

Public Opinion on TIFs

The survey also brought to light the public's stance on tax increment financing (TIFs). A remarkable 75.7% of respondents believe that TIFs should only be approved through a vote of the people. This emphasizes the importance that residents place on having a direct say in such matters. The narrow 5-4 vote by Norman's city council in the early morning of Sep. 18 to pass the TIF has been a subject of much discussion. It was underscored by the incident where an organizer for the University of Oklahoma paid approximately 60 students to occupy seats in the council chamber, giving the appearance of support while preventing residents from sitting. This act raised questions about the integrity of the voting process.

Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development Petition

A recent petition by Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development has drawn significant attention. The petition aimed to bring the proposed TIF to a vote of all Norman residents and it passed with an impressive 11,602 signatures, almost twice the legally required amount. However, four developers have initiated a court battle against the petition, claiming that some of the signatures are not valid, despite the approval of the petition by Norman's city clerk. This legal dispute has added another layer of complexity to the situation.

Survey Details and Methodology

Students at OU's Gaylord College of Journalism conducted the survey, which included 513 responders answering 10 questions. Of these respondents, 390 were registered voters. One question regarding the driving distance for games was answered by only 89 students. It's important to note that the survey has a margin of error of 4% with a 95% confidence in accuracy. This margin of error provides a range within which the true population parameters are likely to fall. By understanding these details, we can better interpret the significance of the survey results.Read more in tomorrow's Norman Transcript to gain a more comprehensive understanding of this important issue.