Plan to raise funds for roads and bridges headed for a statewide election

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- An initiative petition on a proposed fuel tax increase to fix roads and bridges is one step closer to a statewide election.<br/><br/>The Oklahoma Supreme Court Monday forwarded State

Tuesday, March 22nd 2005, 5:40 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- An initiative petition on a proposed fuel tax increase to fix roads and bridges is one step closer to a statewide election.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court Monday forwarded State Question 723 to Governor Brad Henry, who has at least 60 days to set an election date. Supporters say the fuel tax increase would raise about $150-million annually.

Neal McCaleb with Oklahomans for Safe Bridges and Roads says the organization would prefer a fall election.

The group organized last year after lawmakers killed fuel tax increases three years in a row. The organization gathered 289,082 signatures, nearly 70,000 more than was needed to force a vote.

If voters approve State Question 723, Oklahoma's 17-cent per gallon gasoline tax and 14-cent per gallon diesel tax would increase to 22 cents each.

The state House passed a transportation funding bill last week that would provide $35-million in the first year and 170-million after five years for road and bridge maintenance programs.