Well remember that the monthly amount of sales tax grows over the period. So a 5-year MAPS collection from 2010-2015 will make a lot more than the MAPS I tax did back in the 90s. Total December 2008 sales tax in OKC was up about 3 million from December 2007.

The newest comparison is the Ford Center one-penny tax, 121.6 million to be collected over 15 months, so since we can conservatively guess that we'll make 8.1 million per month, today a 5-year one penny tax would raise about $500 million in five years if sales tax collection stays constant, which is nearly impossible. So we're looking at $600 million + because of normal increases in sales tax collections.

Construction costs have dropped dramatically since all those other cities built their centers, so that will be a factor in comparing ours to others. Plus, our city dealing with MAPS projects has been a great bargain shopper in getting bang for the buck. I wouldn't be surprised to see a joint-financing thing with the convention center and especially the transit, so that MAPS pays a portion and other sources (bond issues, state and federal grants) pay a portion.

Just imagine what we could do with that five-cent tax...