The following link is to the proposed State Questions up for public vote on September 13.
http://www.sos.state.ok.us/exec_legis/SQ_Proposed.asp
State Question 723 has to do with a state fuel tax that would go to fund highways and bridges in the state.
There are two other questions up for grabs – one about not paying state legislators if they are in jail and one about giving “rainy day” fund money to “at-risk” manufacturers to help them “invest” in Oklahoma. I am primarily concerned about SQ 723.
 They would like to ease you in to the tax gently – for gasoline it is 2 cents right at first, 4 cents after the first year and 5 cents after the second. It is steeper for diesel – ending up at 8 cents after the third year.
I looked up several articles from the Oklahoman – one that describes the terrible condition of our state’s bridges and that they are mostly county-owned.
“Oklahoma has had the worst bridges in the nation for at least the past three years, according to the Federal Highway Administration. The most recent statistics -- from 2004 -- show 32 percent of the state's 23,299 bridges are structurally deficient.” Behind us were Rhode Island at 26 percent and Pennsylvania at 25 percent.
In SQ723, 10% would go to counties, 10% to cities and towns and the remaining 80% goes to the state highways and bridges (on state highways).
An analysis of Oklahoma bridges using Federal Highway Administration data show bridges in critical condition in these jurisdictions:
1,196 bridges in the 77 counties.
249 owned by the state.
45 owned by cities and towns.
One owned by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.
 Another article was about the road-building industry donating $1 million to the campaign to pass SQ723. Verrrry interesting reading there.
I know I am starting to lose your interest – just a couple more…
The third article has to do with a federal bill that gets Oklahoma out of it’s ‘donor state’ status. We no longer give more than we get for road funding. So this should help, right?
And finally in an article about the State Question, the Director of the Transportation Department said “Oklahoma could solve its highway and bridge problems in a decade” if passed. He, being a state employee, couldn’t  endorse the proposal. But Transportation Commissioner Jackie Cooper says “It's the safety of our kids and grandkids”. Sounds like money in the bank to me!
The State Question was created and proposed before the Federal Bill was passed. I wonder if it is necessary now.
This is all very confusing. Any comments about any of this would be welcome.
PS. To find the afforementioned articles on http://www.newsok.com search for "roads". | 
I am gearing up to start my masters program at UCO. I am totally stoked because in the fall they will waive all prerequisite courses for the MBA. I was going to be short three classes, but not anymore!!! I have to take my GMAT ($250 *ouch*) and be accepted into the program - but I don't think it's like a cult or pledge or anything. I should do ok.
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