Fuel tax for better roads

[Patrick]

Well, looks like the group pushing for this finally got enough signatures. I was actually one of the signatures on their list. Face it, our roads are in worse shape than surrounding states. Why? We have one of the lowest gasoline taxes in the nation. Let's increase it a little and improve our roads. Our roads say a lot about our image as a state. I don't find it too funny, when you see a sign as you enter Oklahoma that reads, "Welcome to Oklahoma, Experience the Excellence", and right as you see that sign you leave the smooth pavement of Arkansas and hit the rough asphalt of Oklahoma. I don't believe that sign is out there any longer on I-40....Keating replaced it with a much more expensive marble sign! I guess that shows you where are priorities are!

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"Fuel tax proponents deliver more than enough signatures
by Janice Francis-Smith
The Journal Record
12/21/2004

The Oklahomans for Safe Bridges and Roads on Monday produced 297,688 signatures calling for a statewide vote on a fuel tax increase to provide funding for roads and bridges. Only 220,000 signatures are required for an initiative petition to successfully send a measure to a vote of the people.
"To say I'm pleased is an understatement," said Neal McCaleb, president of Oklahomans for Safe Bridges and Roads, an organization that describes itself as "a broad-based coalition of businesses, associations and grass-roots organizations that care about the safety of our roads and are coming together to do something about them."

The organization presented more than 50 boxes filled with signed petitions to the Oklahoma Secretary of State's Office with a press conference. Speakers included not only the officers of the organization, but the son of a Texas woman killed in June when her car was struck by a piece of concrete that fell from a bridge over Interstate 35.

"God bless the people of Oklahoma and OSBR," said Joshua Medlin, whose mother, Yvonna Osborn, died on I-35 near Paoli passing under one of the 1,200 bridges on the state's highway system listed as being structurally deficient or structurally obsolete due to their age. "Without their help, I don't believe this would have passed, and my mother's death would have been in vain."

If passed, the proposal would increase state gasoline taxes 5 cents a gallon and diesel fuel 8 cents per gallon. Supporters have estimated that it will result in an additional $150 million to $160 million per year.

Secretary of State Susan Savage said her office would hire 10-15 temporary employees to help certify the 297,688 signatures submitted.

"We'll be dotting every I and crossing every T," said Savage.

Signatures from nonresidents, duplicate signatures and signatures not attached to a copy of the petition are just some of the kinds of signatures that would be disqualified. Savage noted that she declined to sign the petition in order to avoid any perception that the initiative was mishandled.

"This group has been very deliberate in the collection of their signatures," said Savage, questioning assertions made by the media that some who signed the petition were misled regarding its contents.

"By law, a copy what is proposed has to be attached, so everyone who signed had the opportunity to read it," she said.

The count will begin Jan. 3, and Savage estimated that it could take three to four weeks to complete. McCaleb had estimated the count would take two to three weeks to complete.

"It's unusual for a Republican to endorse a tax increase," noted Burns Hargis, vice-chairman of Bank of Oklahoma, immediate past chairman of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and vice president of OSBR. "Our roads, highways and bridges have to be safe, adequate and maintained for us to continue to grow."

The measure the petition's signers endorsed includes a constitutional amendment to create "lockbox," preventing the Legislature from dipping into the funds created by the fuel tax increase.

"Today marks the beginning of a public policy debate in the state of Oklahoma," said Bob Poe, chairman of the Tulsa Metro Chamber and secretary of OSBR."

[Midtowner]

Q: Why are our roads in such horrible shape?

A: Many years of mismanagement!

In the 50's, we had a governor whose name escapes me at this moment. He was from some rural district, I forget where, but it wasn't very close to OKC. The man had a 4 lane highway built that linked the closest major highway to his driveway! When confronted, he explained that he needed a way to get to the capital quickly in case of an emergency.

Throughout our state's history, highways have been built in places they were absolutely not needed. Heck, just last Turkey Day, I drove out to my girlfriend's relatives' house which I'm not even sure is in a town, but it's near Ardmore. They had a brand, spankin'-new 4-lane highway with a middle lane for left turns. Hardly anyone lives out there! Perhaps it's there because it's where the Noble family has their ranch... (Noble as in the Lloyd Noble Center where the Sooners play basketball).

My point is, that we are only where we are because of disgusting mismanagement of our highway money. This proposal is being pushed by the highway building companies. Our Dept. of Transportation does not need more money to fix our roads. They just need to start spending the money that they do get the right way.

What we can expect if this thing passes is not better roads -- just more roads. 20 years from now, they'll be approaching us wanting to raise taxes again.

[Patrick]

Midtowner, I couldn't agree with you more. There is so much mismangement of money in this state. But, I suppose, there's mismanagement of money in every state!

[Midtowner]

Midtowner, I couldn't agree with you more. There is so much mismangement of money in this state. But, I suppose, there's mismanagement of money in every state!

So what do you think will happen when we give them more money? Do you think they'll spend it more wisely?

Fool me once, shame on you.. Fool me twice...

[Patrick]

It seems to be working with the OKC Public Schools!

[Luke]

We need better managers of the highway money, apparently.

[Midtowner]

We need better managers of the highway money, apparently.

Vote Republican.

[Patrick]

We voted Republican for our last governor.....Frank Keating used transportation dollars for what? It definitely wasn't to improve roads. He used federal transportation dollars to complete the capitol dome, after he promised that it would be payed for by donors. I think that was a very costly mismanagement of our federal highway funds.

[mranderson]

Actually, some of the donors reniged causing Keating to have no choice than to use other funds.

It was a small amount that would have little or no effect on the new freeway.

Granted. Keating is not perfect and should have been Vice President by now, making Mary Fallin the first female Governor of Oklahoma (she will be), however, Keating did a lot of good also.

Henry, so far, has only gotten us the lottery and casino gaming. He has not shaved much off the excess spending.

Fallin vs. Henry in 2006. Fallin over Henry by a thin margin. Hoepfully Barry can not buy another term for Brad.

[Patrick]

This should probably be in the politics section now, but oh well.

Actually Henry has done much more than jsut get a casino/lottery passed. As any teacher. When KEating was set to leave office, we were having to let teachers go left and right,b ecause of a huge budget downfall KEating left us with. Henry looked under every rock and crevice, and found enough money to keep education from falling anymore than it already had. Thanks to Henry's searching and re-apportioing much of the mnoey, our teacher's have gotten raises every year he's been in office. SAme with state employees. Sure, the raises may not be as large as some would like, but it's definitely a complete turn-a-round from where Keating had us.

Also, Keating spent more money then you would think to complete the dome. I don't have the exact figure, but I remember the Oklahoman's figure being well over $5 million. I had no problem with him building the dome, but I did have problem with him using federal transportation dollars to do it.

In regards to Mary Fallin...the main job of Lt. Governor is to promote our state, especially to out of state corporations. The fact that we've had such a tough time attracting corporations to our state can partially be blamed on her. She's in charge of that sector. She needs to get off her duff and start worknig harder on attracting corporations to our state. So far, the only people having any success attracting corporations are the Chambers of Commerce. I can't think of one corporation "she's" attracted to our state. When you compare her to Boren and others who have filled that post, there's absolutely no comparison.

[Midtowner]

We voted Republican for our last governor.....Frank Keating used transportation dollars for what? It definitely wasn't to improve roads. He used federal transportation dollars to complete the capitol dome, after he promised that it would be payed for by donors. I think that was a very costly mismanagement of our federal highway funds.

Honestly, 5 million on the capital dome would probably be a better value to the state than that same money being spent on our roads. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and do something nice.

I do think Frank was a horrible Governor where education is concerned. Calling OEA teachers names didn't accomplish anything. Henry on the other hand has been great for education. They both have their strong and weak points though.

[Patrick]

By the way...my remarks weren't partisan in any way....
I was just calling it as I saw it. I'll admit, I'm a Democrat, but that doesn't mean I'm not fair in calling the shots. For example, I think Collin Powell would make an awesome president, and he could've made a better Secre. of State if Bush would've left him alone.

I do think Henry has done a superb job with education and spending, thus far......if given more time, he'll continue to work on the spending excesses with his random audits. So far they're working. But, there are soem areas he's cut that I haven't agreed with. For example, he's slashed the tourism department a great deal. Our state parks need more money. But, I guess he's tried to make up those monies by charging entrance fees at the parks now. IMHO, I'm glad to see he's putting such an emphasis on education. That will make a huge difference in the long run.

[Midtowner]

By the way...my remarks weren't partisan in any way....
I was just calling it as I saw it. I'll admit, I'm a Democrat, but that doesn't mean I'm not fair in calling the shots. For example, I think Collin Powell would make an awesome president, and he could've made a better Secre. of State if Bush would've left him alone.

I do think Henry has done a superb job with education and spending, thus far......if given more time, he'll continue to work on the spending excesses with his random audits. So far they're working. But, there are soem areas he's cut that I haven't agreed with. For example, he's slashed the tourism department a great deal. Our state parks need more money. But, I guess he's tried to make up those monies by charging entrance fees at the parks now. IMHO, I'm glad to see he's putting such an emphasis on education. That will make a huge difference in the long run.

He is turning out do be a decent leader within his party. I'd just like to see what would happen if the Republicans had control of both houses and the governorship.

The Dems had 80 years, now the state is in some pretty dire straits. Time to give someone else a shot in my opinion.

My only fear is that people like Forrest Claunch would be taken more seriously.

[Patrick]

I actually think a Democractic leader with a Republican controlled congress would work pretty well. It seemed to work at the national level in the 1990's, at least from an economic and fiscal standpoint. For some reason, it seems like the Democrat leaders and Republican congressman are no the same fiscal conservative page, but the Democratic congressman and Republican leaders (Bush) ar more liberal in their spending practices.

I about fell out of my chair during the last election when John Kerry was touting the need to return to fiscal responsiblity. What? A Democrat saying this? I thought this was a Republican policy. And in the 1990's, Clinton working with the Republican controlled congress to balance the budget and produce surpluses? What? A Democrat on the same page as the Republican fiscally conservative congress? I'm beginning to think in a lot of aspects, the parties are beginning to shift...or maybe it's just individual preferences. Because it still seems like most Republican senators and represenatives are fiscally conservative. Many in fact have expressed outrage at Bush's spending.