The views of proponents of State Question 723 were obtained from the web site of Oklahomans for Safe Bridges and Roads, www.oksaferoads.com. They say that Oklahoma roads and bridges are the worst in the nation. The measure will create a long- term solution to the transportation infrastructure crisis. SQ 723 provides a secure, constitutionally protected, influx of funding which cannot be changed at the whim of future legislatures. The measure creates a constitutional trust fund that locks current funding levels and all new money generated by the proposed gasoline tax solely to maintenance of bridges and roads. The five-cent/gallon tax increase is minimal and gradual over three years. In 2009 when fully implemented it will cost the average motorist approximately $2.40 per month. An eight cent/gallon diesel tax gradually added over three years will make truckers pay their share, since 18 wheel trucks do far greater damage to roads than passenger cars.

The views of opponents of SQ 723 were obtained from the web site of Oklahoma Tax Payers United at www.oktaxpayers.org. They agree that roads and bridges need repair, however, before increasing the tax burden on Oklahoma drivers, the Legislature should address the misuse of existing revenue and spend it on roads and bridges. Oklahomans currently pay about $400 million every year for state fuel tax assessment and the state of Oklahoma collects about $57 million from vehicle tags and licenses. In all Oklahomans are responsible for $1.4 billion per year in taxes and fees related to their ability to own and drive motor vehicles. The Legislature should immediately end the practice of diverting fuel tax funds to general revenue and other entities. If Oklahoma applied every dollar collected from fuel taxes to roads and bridges we would see an immediate increase of nearly $65 million per year without raising taxes.

Courtesy of the The League of Women Voters of Oklahoma