River Plan Reactions

Those who've been out-front in backing the river plan are reacting to our new polling. A majority in opposition to the river tax was not what the politicians had hoped to hear, but some see it as a positive. The people backing the river plan will have about two months to sell it voters if it's going to be on the October 9th ballot. The News On 6's Emory Bryan reports our polling indicates that they'll have to change some opinions before voters will approve the package.

More than a third of the public supports it without any public relations campaign.

"When you start any election at 39 to 40% of positive, that's very promising numbers, so it can only get better from here," said Tulsa County commissioner Randi Miller.

About 150 people turned out for the last public meeting before the commission votes on putting it on the ballot. The crowd reflected the division of opinion indicted by the polling.

Two of the three commissioners are ready to put it on the ballot for October 9th, even though most of Tulsa County voters say roads should be a higher priority

"I think the citizens are right," said Mayor Kathy Taylor. "Roads and gangs are important issues, and we're working very hard on those."

Miller told us that she has agreed to a sunset provision in this tax so that if any extra money comes in, the tax would end sooner than the seven years. A sunset provision means it wouldn't be a tax that continues forever but would stop as soon as the money for the projects is collected. They intend to vote on this on Thursday.

Originally aired 7/31/2007 9:25 PM - Updated 8/7/2007 10:31 AM