Opinion ID: 613270
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Hugo's Independence

Text: According to Branson, in addition to making a claim based on a structural right, a political subdivision must be substantially independent from its parent state to have standing. See Branson, 161 F.3d at 639 (quoting Lassen v. Arizona ex rel. Arizona Highway Dep't, 385 U.S. 458, 459 n. 1, 87 S.Ct. 584, 17 L.Ed.2d 515 (1967)). The school districts in Colorado were substantially independent because they may hold property in their own name, enter into contracts, and they have the right to sue and be sued in their own name. Id. at 629. We also noted that the districts are led by boards that are elected independently. Id. The City of Hugo is substantially independent of Oklahoma. Hugo can hold property in its own name, enter into contracts, and sue and be sued in its own name. See OKLA. STAT. tit. 11, 22-101, 22-104, 37-117. Because Hugo is raising a claim based on a constitutional provision that protects structural rights and is substantially independent from the State of Oklahoma, I would hold that Hugo has standing.