Graves challenges Anthony
Reforming Oklahoma’s Corporation Commission and putting an end to personal political vendetta’s that taint commission decisions are the goals of Oklahoma City businessman Cody Graves.
To accomplish those goals, Graves announced today he will challenge Bob Anthony later this year in an attempt to oust the 18-year incumbent politician from the commission.
“We need to make the Corporation Commission count again. We need to make it a state agency that moves Oklahoma forward – one that protects taxpayers and helps them when they have problems,” Graves emphasized.
“It is time for a change at the commission; time for reform and more openness in commission decisions,” Graves said. “It is time to put an end to personal political vendettas and to elect a corporation commissioner who is truly willing to help move our state forward again.”
The commission regulates the state’s public utilities, such as telephone, electric and gas companies, oversees the oil and gas industry and governs the state’s trucking laws.
Graves, 45, is considered by many to be an expert in the fields of utility, oil and gas regulation and economic development. He is currently an officer of Automated Energy, a company that develops web-based energy information solutions to help consumers more efficiently manage their energy costs.
Graves also has testified before Congress on critical energy matters and the needs of consumers.
He served previously as Corporation Commissioner before entering private business.
Graves said he is challenging Anthony because he believes the commission has become too secretive in its deliberations and decisions by Anthony seem to be based primarily on political and personal vendettas.
He called for great accountability and openness at the commission. Graves said Anthony, after holding office over three decades, has clearly lost his desire to serve at the commission, noting that Anthony has twice sought higher office in recent years only to be soundly rejected by voters both times.
“Bob Anthony doesn’t want to be a Corporation Commissioner any longer. He continues to serve, not to protect consumers and to move our state forward but only to act as a malcontent,” Graves said.
“A lone commissioner can do much to protect and help Oklahomans, spur economic development and to make a difference. Bob Anthony is doing none of that.”
Graves said he intends to restore justice and fairness to the commission and that he will also push through reforms and programs that expand and improve the commission’s public service and protection duties.
“A private citizen shouldn’t have to jump through a bunch of government hoops to get answers or help and that’s what’s happening at the commission,” Graves said.
“The two essential roles of the commission are to regulate certain industries in order to protect the people and to help when people have problems with those industries regulated by the commission,” he explained.
“That isn’t happening with Bob Anthony running the commission,” Graves said.
Graves said he will also seek to expand the commission’s role in creating jobs and spurring economic development by proposing ways to broaden the commission’s ability to work with officials in the state Department of Commerce.
“The commission can play an active, positive role in helping create jobs and boost economic development. It’s an area that is severely lacking at the commission right now.”
Graves and his wife Beth have three sons. Beth is a registered nurse at the OU Medical Center.
He served as a long-time aide to former U.S. Senator David Boren. Graves is also active in community affairs, volunteering for a number of groups, boards and commissions.
To accomplish those goals, Graves announced today he will challenge Bob Anthony later this year in an attempt to oust the 18-year incumbent politician from the commission.
“We need to make the Corporation Commission count again. We need to make it a state agency that moves Oklahoma forward – one that protects taxpayers and helps them when they have problems,” Graves emphasized.
“It is time for a change at the commission; time for reform and more openness in commission decisions,” Graves said. “It is time to put an end to personal political vendettas and to elect a corporation commissioner who is truly willing to help move our state forward again.”
The commission regulates the state’s public utilities, such as telephone, electric and gas companies, oversees the oil and gas industry and governs the state’s trucking laws.
Graves, 45, is considered by many to be an expert in the fields of utility, oil and gas regulation and economic development. He is currently an officer of Automated Energy, a company that develops web-based energy information solutions to help consumers more efficiently manage their energy costs.
Graves also has testified before Congress on critical energy matters and the needs of consumers.
He served previously as Corporation Commissioner before entering private business.
Graves said he is challenging Anthony because he believes the commission has become too secretive in its deliberations and decisions by Anthony seem to be based primarily on political and personal vendettas.
He called for great accountability and openness at the commission. Graves said Anthony, after holding office over three decades, has clearly lost his desire to serve at the commission, noting that Anthony has twice sought higher office in recent years only to be soundly rejected by voters both times.
“Bob Anthony doesn’t want to be a Corporation Commissioner any longer. He continues to serve, not to protect consumers and to move our state forward but only to act as a malcontent,” Graves said.
“A lone commissioner can do much to protect and help Oklahomans, spur economic development and to make a difference. Bob Anthony is doing none of that.”
Graves said he intends to restore justice and fairness to the commission and that he will also push through reforms and programs that expand and improve the commission’s public service and protection duties.
“A private citizen shouldn’t have to jump through a bunch of government hoops to get answers or help and that’s what’s happening at the commission,” Graves said.
“The two essential roles of the commission are to regulate certain industries in order to protect the people and to help when people have problems with those industries regulated by the commission,” he explained.
“That isn’t happening with Bob Anthony running the commission,” Graves said.
Graves said he will also seek to expand the commission’s role in creating jobs and spurring economic development by proposing ways to broaden the commission’s ability to work with officials in the state Department of Commerce.
“The commission can play an active, positive role in helping create jobs and boost economic development. It’s an area that is severely lacking at the commission right now.”
Graves and his wife Beth have three sons. Beth is a registered nurse at the OU Medical Center.
He served as a long-time aide to former U.S. Senator David Boren. Graves is also active in community affairs, volunteering for a number of groups, boards and commissions.
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