Breakdown of Department of Transportation Funds

A breakdown of Department of Transportation funds illustrates where Roads, Highway and Bridge money is actually being spent.

Motor Vehicle Collections are your Excise Taxes you pay when you buy a vehicle, your Driver’s License and License Plate fees.  Motor Fuel Taxes are the gasoline and diesel taxes you pay at the pump.

 

Of this money you can see where it is going:

  • $317.6 to County Highways and Bridges (30.1%)  ($50 Million diverted to general revenue)
  • $261.4 Million to school districts (21.4%).
  • $212.6 Million to “other non-highway uses” ($17.5% to ODOT for new roads, highways, bridges and maintaining current assets.)
  • $196 Million to general revenue (16.1%).
  • $76.8% Non-Highway uses (6.3%)
  • $44 Million to Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (3.6%)
  • $27.7 Cities & Towns (2.3%)
  • $20.4 Indian Tribes (1.7%)

 

State motor fuel tax

Motor vehicle collections

State motor fuel & motor vehicle collections

 

So $1,219,423, 948 Billion in motor vehicle fees and taxes were collected and $564 Million didn’t go to Roads, Highways and Bridges.  46% of the money collected was diverted from Transportation needs.  I say needs because Oklahoma has a LOT of bridges that are rated D or F.  The legislature has funded many bridge projects and progress is being made after decades different priorities winning out over roads and bridges.

Our State is growing and the need for new roads is apparent.  Safety needs and efficiency are concerns that make common sense and most Oklahomans would agree on.

I want to see our transportation needs met.  New loops and routes to move traffic off I-35 are all well and good but roads and highways in good repair, with adequate shoulders and no potholes make for safe passage as well.  If we spent the $564 Million, otherwise diverted, on Transportation projects, we shouldn’t need to use Turnpike bonds to fund the work.  Oklahoma should have at least GOOD roads and bridges.  Depending on Turnpike bonds only puts our State deeper in debt, continues to break the legislative promise to revert toll roads to “free” roads, and allows current roads, highways and bridges to fall further in disrepair.  

Priorities:

  1. Determine what our transportation needs are (See ODOT’s 8 year plan).
  2. Fund enough money to keep the ODOT plan on track and maintain the roads and bridges we have.
  3. Fund the Bridge “Catch-up” plan to make sure all our bridges are safe.
  4. Work towards “freeing up” our current toll roads, not adding to them.
  5. Properly fund future transportation needs.
  6. STOP the diversion of Transportation funds.

What can I do?

  1. Contact your State Representative and Senator and demand Motor Vehicle Taxes and Collections go to Transportation projects.
  2. Demand that the State’s promise to “free” tolls be met before any other promises.
  3. Demand an explanation of why $44 Million per year in Motor Fuel Taxes are going to the Turnpike Authority.  Is it a loan?  Has the State been repaid?  If no, why not?
  4. Demand an end to “Cross Pledging.”

 

Notes:

  1. Out-of-State drivers buy a lot of fuel and contribute to our Motor Fuel Collections.  They have a reasonable expectation of safe passage on our roads, highways and bridges.
  2. Motor Fuel Taxes are collected by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.
    1. Why?  Isn’t that double taxation?
    2. Are the Motor Fuel Taxes then forwarded to the OK Tax Commission?
    3. Are any of those Motor Fuel Taxes used by the OTA for any reason?
  3. The State of Oklahoma is not able to maintain its roads, highways and bridges and build new ones at current funding levels.
    1. We have as many as 50% of our bridges that are deficient.
      1. Down from 80% or more in just the past 10 years.
  4. Good roads and bridges are crucial to our State’s economy and the safety of our citizens and guests.

Endorsement – Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee

Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee
P.O. Box 2021, Edmond, Oklahoma 73083

Sept 29, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Download PDF)
Chairman: Charlie Meadows 405-401-1750
Administrative Contact: Bob Donohoo 405-436-5412

Over the last few weeks the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee (OCPAC) invited candidates to be interviewed who are running for the Oklahoma State House of Representatives and State Senate in the upcoming general election. OCPAC is a statewide organization, headquartered in Edmond, which financially contributes to legislative candidates running in qualified districts and who the members vote to endorse.

Lewis Moore received OCPAC’s endorsement for the State House of Representatives District #96.

The interview process involved allowing the candidates to speak for several minutes followed by a series of questions on campaign contributions, morality within legislation, and taxation methodologies. Once answered the members had ample time to grill the candidates on other or more specific issues. Organizational Chairman Charlie Meadows said, “even though it takes a majority of votes to receive our endorsement and the members are not even required to endorse anyone it was obvious, with his understanding and clarity on positions along with his strong convictions, Lewis Moore a is conservative candidate and won our endorsement with overwhelming support.”

When it comes to legislative seats the organization is looking for candidates with solid conservative core values and instincts. OCPAC Chairman, Charlie Meadows said, “we are looking for candidates who have an understanding of free market economics, a desire to reform and improve education, stand for Judeo/Christian values, have good communication skills, a passion to make a positive difference and are dedicated to funding the proper functions of government and leaving those things that should be done by the private sector, to the private sector.” All legislative candidates are required to fill out a 10 question survey and appear before the group for what can sometimes be a tough question and answer process before they are eligible to receive our endorsement.

While speaking about why he wanted to run for the State House of Representatives Moore stated that he was a Constitutionalist, believes in limited government, and that our founding fathers had it right. Moore has a passion for Education and believes we should get back to teaching the basics of math, science, and reading. Moore also believes that cutting taxes and reducing business regulation will support economic growth.

OCPAC meets every Wednesday for lunch at the Italiano’s Restaurant in Oklahoma City. With 165 dues paying membership and over 2500 people receiving the weekly e-mails, OCPAC is the largest, most active club in the state of Oklahoma supporting Republicans as well as attempting to hold elected Republicans accountable to conservative principles.

Retired Col. James H.Lynch, USAF Recommends Lewis Moore!

From: JAMES LYNCH
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2008 10:53 PM
To: Lewis H Moore
Subject: Campaign Recommendation

I have known Lewis Moore since 1977 when he and I worked as Rangers, teaching backpacking, at the Boy Scouts of America’s ultimate high adventure base–Philmont Scout Ranch. From those early days fresh out of high school we kept in touch throughout our military careers and later as we both faced challenges raising children and keeping our careers on track. Because of my experiences with Lewis throughout the years, I handpicked him to help improve some key processes and increase the membership of the 2500 member non-profit service organization (the Philmont Staff Association) that I lead. I have been consistently pleased with his strong work and outstanding results he delivers on every task he attempts.

I was lucky enough to call Oklahoma home for three years as I flew on the E-3 AWACS out of Tinker AFB. I know and love the strong people of Oklahoma and know that Lewis is the kind of strong leader that doesn’t hesitate to step up and do the right thing–no matter how difficult. Lewis is the person to represent the people of H96–and I am proud to endorse him.

James H.Lynch, Col, USAF, Retired
President, Philmont Staff Association