5/23/03-Rep. Larry Ferguson has dropped his effort to get a proposed fuel tax hike approved this year.
Ferguson, R-Cleveland, said he pulled the bill in part because the Oklahoma City and Tulsa chambers of commerce are considering a “MAPS for Roads” campaign to bring road improvements to the state.
He also said he dropped the proposal because of debate about how new tax revenues would be spent.
HB1385 asked voters to raise the diesel tax from 14 to 22 cents a gallon and the gasoline tax from 17 to 22 cents a gallon. The increase would generate about $140 million annually from the tax increases. After 25 years, it would have expired.

5/19/03-State lawmakers are tweaking a bill calling for raising diesel and gasoline taxes to aid the state’s highway system.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Larry Ferguson, R-Cleveland, is working with the Senate to find language everyone can live with before the Legislature’s scheduled adjournment on May 23.
Ferguson has removed language from the proposal that would have dedicated some revenues from the fuel tax increase to projects other than roads. The new language dedicates all revenues to road and bridge projects.
HB1385 would raise the diesel tax from 14 to 22 cents a gallon and the gasoline tax from 17 to 22 cents a gallon.
If approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor, the proposal would go before the public in the November 2004 general election.
For bill status, call (405) 521-2733.

4/17/03-A bill calling for a statewide election to determine whether voters approve of raising diesel and gasoline taxes to aid the state’s highway system is headed to a joint House-Senate conference committee.
House lawmakers on April 14 rejected a Senate amendment that would have set the stage for sending the bill to the secretary of state for an election date.
HB1385, sponsored by Rep. Larry Ferguson, R-Cleveland, would raise the diesel tax from 14 to 22 cents a gallon and the gasoline tax from 17 to 22 cents a gallon. The state reportedly would receive $145 million annually from the tax increases.
If approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor, the proposal would go before the public in the November 2004 general election.
For bill status, call (405) 521-2733.

4/3/03-Oklahoma state senators have approved a bill calling for a statewide election to determine if voters approve of hiking diesel and gasoline taxes to aid the state's highway system.
Senators approved the measure by a 26-16 vote on April 2. It now heads back to the House for consideration of Senate amendments.
HB1385 asks voters to raise the diesel tax from 14 to 22 cents a gallon and the gasoline tax from 17 to 22 cents a gallon.
For bill status, call (405) 524-0126.

3/26/03-A plan to seek Oklahoma voters' approval for tax increases on diesel and gasoline passed a Senate committee March 25.
The Senate Transportation Committee voted 12 to 8 for the bill, sending it to the full Senate for consideration.
HB1385 asks voters to raise the diesel tax from 14 to 22 cents a gallon and the gasoline tax from 17 to 22 cents a gallon. The state would receive $145 million annually from the tax increases.
If approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor, the proposal would go before the public in the November 2004 general election.

3/17/03-A bill to set up a statewide vote on a plan to raise the state's fuel taxes has moved from the state House to the Senate.
HB1385, sponsored by Rep. Larry Ferguson, R-Cleveland, would increase the state's current 14-cents-per-gallon diesel fuel tax by 2 cents a gallon in 2005. In addition, an annual fuel tax increase would be imposed from 2006 to 2008 when it would reach 22 cents a gallon. Gasoline would climb from 17 cents a gallon to 22 cents over the same time. Revenue would fund various road projects.
The measure was passed by the full House March 12 by a 72 to 23 vote and has been sent to the Senate Transportation Committee. If approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor, the bill would go before the public in the November 2004 general election.
For bill status, call (405) 524-0126.

2/25/03-A bill that would set up a statewide vote on a plan to raise the state's fuel taxes is headed to the full House.
Under the measure, revenue would fund various road projects.
HB1385, sponsored by Rep. Larry Ferguson, R-Cleveland, would hike the state's 14-cents-per-gallon diesel fuel tax by 2 cents a gallon in 2005. In addition, an annual fuel tax increase would be imposed from 2006 to 2008 when it would reach 22 cents a gallon. Gasoline would climb from 17 cents a gallon to 22 cents over the same time.
If approved by the Legislature, the bill would go before the public in the November 2004 general election.
For bill status, call (405) 524-0126.

2/13/03-An Oklahoma lawmaker has proposed a measure asking for a statewide vote on a fuel tax increase to pay for road repairs.
HB1385, sponsored by state Rep. Larry Ferguson (R-Cleveland), would increase the state's current 14-cents-per-gallon diesel fuel tax by 2 cents a gallon in 2005. In addition, an annual fuel tax increase would be imposed from 2006 to 2008 when it would reach 22 cents a gallon. Gasoline would climb from 17 cents a gallon to 22 cents over the same time.
"Revenues from the new taxes will be used for various transportation needs," Ferguson wrote. "The remainder of the revenues will be deposited to the State Highway Construction and Maintenance Fund."
Ferguson told Land Line he isn't proposing a tax increase, just giving voters a chance to decide if they want to make an additional investment in repairing deteriorating roads and bridges.
If approved by the Legislature, the bill would go before the public in the November 2004 general election.
It is in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. For bill status, call (405) 524-0126.