Oklahoma fuel tax petition surpasses signature goal

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma officials say an effort to force a statewide vote on a proposed fuel tax hike to improve roads and bridges -- has surpassed its signature goal.<br/><br/>Boxes of petitions

Wednesday, January 19th 2005, 6:34 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma officials say an effort to force a statewide vote on a proposed fuel tax hike to improve roads and bridges -- has surpassed its signature goal.

Boxes of petitions bearing the signatures of more than 297,000 Oklahoma voters were delivered to the Secretary of State on December 20th.

As of today, more than 249,000 signatures had been verified.

Backers of a fuel tax increase needed only 219,000 valid voter signatures to force an election.

Supporters cited Oklahoma's crumbling transportation system last year when Irving, Texas, resident Yvonna Osborn was killed.

A chunk of bridge fell on her car as she traveled southbound on I-35.

The fuel tax measure must be authorized by the Oklahoma Supreme Court before an election is scheduled by Governor Brad Henry.