HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 11_Support State Question 723_2005.08.16`.� 1 T
MOM �. i �:. LIEN, F N 1011IN111 W a) . N 15M
WHEREAS, Oklahoma leads the nation in number of structurally deficient
bridges; and
WHEREAS, Oklahoma's highways and roads are among the worst in the
nation; and
WHEREAS, driving on roads in need of repair costs Oklahoma motorists $897
Million a year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs -- $413 per motorist; and
WHEREAS, Oklahoma's crumbling highway infrastructure is the result of
consistent inadequate funding making Oklahoma the only state that provides no state
dollars for road and bridge construction and reconstruction; and
WHEREAS, current Oklahoma Department of Transportation funding levels do
not provide the necessary means to effectively maintain and improve Oklahoma's
highways; and
WHEREAS, investing in Oklahoma's highway infrastructure is a safety and
economic development priority for the State of Oklahoma and its citizens; and
WHEREAS, commerce is affected statewide by the one hundred and fifty
bridges posted lower than the legal load limit making large trucks and equipment unable
to travel across these structures; and
WHEREAS, failing to make the investment now will only increase the cost in
years to come; and
WHEREAS, Oklahoma currently has the lowest fuel user fees in the eight -state
region; and
WHEREAS, surrounding states have enacted increased motor fuel taxes to
provide additional revenues for highway maintenance and infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the initiative petition received the support of nearly three- hundred
thousand Oklahoma voters to put State Question 723 on the ballot — making it the most
successful initiative petition drive in the history of Oklahoma and proving that
Oklahomans understand the problem and want a solution; and
WHEREAS, State Question 723 will restore public confidence in the funding of
our transportation system by placing any new motor fuel tax revenues in a
constitutionally protected transportation trust fund for the construction and maintenance
of Oklahoma's highways, roads and bridges, which would not be used to replace existing
transportation funding; and
WHEREAS, State Question 723 establishes the Oklahoma Highway Oversight
Commission to monitor use of the monies and funding of transportation by the
Legislature to guarantee good stewardship of public funds.
The Owasso City Council supports State Question 723 to incrementally increase the
motor fuel taxes to establish a constitutionally protected transportation trust fund
dedicated to the construction and maintenance of Oklahoma highways, roads and bridges.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 16th day of August, 2005 by the City
Council of the City of Owasso, Oklahoma.
CITY OF OWASSO
Cfai g LA&O
Th ef
, ,Mayor
Sherry Bisho#/,City Clerk