Published: January 18, 2008 12:56 pm            

Tax proposal a winner for state cities

EDMOND — Sometimes, everyone just has to gain control of their budget in order to straighten out their priorities.

At least that’s the spirit in which a recent proposal endorsed by the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors was given.

The board recently voted unanimously to support a legislative initiative to provide more monies to Oklahoma cities for roads and bridges. That proposal calls for a half cent of the 4.5 percent state sales tax to be given back to cities and towns for the sole purpose of improving streets, roads and bridges. Towns that receive comparatively little sales tax would be factored into the formula for additional funds.

For Edmond, this proposal is no small change. It could mean $5.8 million annually for local streets and bridges, the chamber states. And as Edmond’s sales tax revenue grows, that amount could grow as well.

Statewide, the proposal would give $180 million back to road and bridge projects.

Business experts long have declared that for a state to grow its economic power, infrastructure is a must. With Oklahoma ranked in the top 10 in the nation for worst bridges, and little being done about funding for the problem at the Legislature, this idea sounds like a step in the right direction.

Until Oklahoma fully and completely puts all gasoline and tax monies originally collected for roads and bridges toward the repair of that infrastructure, our economy will never be a step ahead.

        

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