Voters Say Fix Roads But No New Taxes!

Oklahoma voters spoke loudly (and clearly) on Tuesday, September 13: They want the Legislature to fix our roads and bridges, but they want the Legislature to do it without raising taxes.

Republicans at the Oklahoma Legislature have a plan to do just that. Our plan provides $300 million in new money over the next five years to fix our infrastructure, with an extra $200 million a year after that – without a tax increase.

Our plan earmarks $85 million from current motor vehicle fees to help fix county roads and bridges from money that otherwise would go into the state's general revenue fund. (The portion of motor vehicle fees currently earmarked for public education will continue to go to our schools.)

The GOP Plan also creates a $100 million emergency fund from surplus revenues to fix the 50 worst bridges immediately. The plan ends wasteful pork projects, and will include management reforms to make sure taxpayers are getting the best deal for their tax money.

The mess that has been made of Oklahoma 's roads and bridges did not happen overnight. For nearly 100 years, Democrats have controlled the Oklahoma State Senate. Senate Democrats have neglected our transportation infrastructure for decades – choosing instead to spend the money on pork projects and liberal social programs.

With a new Republican majority in the state House of Representatives and a record number of Republicans in the state Senate, fixing our roads and bridges has finally become a priority at the Oklahoma State Capitol. And best of all, we can (and we will) do it without a tax increase.