Oklahoma progress to increase gas tax by five cents includes transit
If approved by voters, the gasoline tax would go from 17 to 22 cents per gallon. The diesel tax, now 14 cents, would go up 8 cents per gallon to the same level of the gasoline tax. Sixty percent of tax increase would go for roads and bridges and 40 percent would go for public transit, passenger rail programs, county and municipal projects and navigable waterways.
Plan to raise fuel taxes advances
March 26, 2003, Enid News & Eagle
OKLAHOMA CITY - Voters would be asked in 2004 to increase the state gasoline tax by 5 cents per gallon under a bill that cleared a committee Tuesday and was sent to the full Oklahoma Senate.
If approved by voters, the gasoline tax would go from 17 to 22 cents per gallon. The diesel tax, now 14 cents, would go up 8 cents per gallon to the same level of the gasoline tax.
Sen. Robert Milacek, R-Enid, Senate sponsor, said the new revenue would be a boon to the state’s economic development because it devotes money not only to roads but for airport improvements, passenger rail service and waterway development.
Under the bill, 60 percent of the gasoline tax increase would be earmarked for roads and bridges and the rest would go for public transit, passenger rail programs, county and municipal projects and navigable waterways. All of the revenue from the diesel fuel increase would go to roads.
The House-passed proposal was sent to the Senate floor on a 12-8 vote of the Senate Transportation Committee.
Some senators opposed the increase because it would be a burden for citizens during difficult economic times.
Sen. Mark Snyder, R-Edmond, said lawmakers, instead of proposing to raise taxes, should redesign the fuel tax distribution formula to devote 100 percent user taxes to transportation.
Milacek said senators were “not putting anything on the people” by voting for the bill. “The people will speak,” he said, guessing they would probably vote it down if the economy was bad in 2004 and probably approve it if the economy is good.
One aspect of the proposed tax increase Milacek has talked about is the fact Oklahoma’s neighboring states such as Kansas, Texas and Arkansas currently have fuel tax levels at what the senator is proposing.
“This would bring us to the same level as Arkansas and Kansas. I know Texas and New Mexico are in the 20-range. This takes us up to average,” Milacek said.
Under the measure, fuel taxes would be raised in stages, beginning in 2006, until it reached 22 cents a gallon. The diesel tax would go to 22 cents a gallon, beginning in 2008.