Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat has appointed Bob Coburn of Muskogee to serve as a commissioner on the Oklahoma Transportation Commission.

Coburn, a cousin of former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, is the first of two appointments the Senate president pro tempore made to the commission following the enactment of Senate Bill 457, legislation that was part of a government accountability agreement between legislative leaders and the governor. The bill gave the governor to ability to hire the director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and gave commission appointments to the governor, House speaker, and Senate president pro tempore.

Coburn currently serves as the mayor of Muskogee, but will resign from that post to serve on the commission.

“I appreciate Pro Tem Treat for appointing me to this important post. Oklahoma has made great strides in improving our transportation network, but more can be done. Safe roads and bridges are critical to growing our economy and I look forward to working with the leadership at the commission and Transportation Department to do our part to grow Oklahoma,” Coburn said.