5/25/04-Blaming escalating fuel prices, Sen. Robert Milacek, R-Enid, abandoned efforts to call for a statewide vote on raising fuel taxes to fix roads and bridges.
Milacek said a measure he helped sponsor would have passed the Senate, but there was not enough support in the House.
HB2632 proposed a statewide election to increase the diesel fuel tax 8 cents a gallon and the gasoline tax 5 cents a gallon over three years. Drivers in the Sooner State now pay 14 cents a gallon in tax on diesel fuel and 17 cents a gallon on gas.
Fully implemented, the proposal would have raised $145 million more a year. Revenue generated would all go to the state’s roads and bridges.

4/27/04-The Senate approved a bill April 20 that would hike the state’s diesel fuel tax by 8 cents a gallon and gasoline tax by 5 cents to fix roads and bridges.
Under the bill, which previously passed the House, Oklahoma voters would get the final say.
Drivers in the Sooner State now pay 14 cents a gallon in tax on diesel fuel and 17 cents a gallon on gasoline. HB2632, sponsored by Sen. Robert Milacek, R-Enid, would phase in the fuel tax hike over four years.
When fully implemented, the higher fuel taxes would produce $145 million a year. Revenue generated would all go to the state’s roads and bridges.
If given final approval by the Legislature and signed by the governor, the proposal would go before the public in the November general election.
For bill status, call (405) 521-2733.

3/29/04-Oklahoma voters would get the final say whether they want a fuel tax hike to fix roads and bridges under a bill approved in a Senate panel.
Drivers in the Sooner State now pay 14 cents a gallon in tax on diesel fuel and 17 cents a gallon on gasoline. HB2632, sponsored by Sen. Robert Milacek, R-Enid, would phase in an 8-cent-per-gallon boost on diesel and a 5-cent-per-gallon increase on gas over four years.
When fully implemented, the higher fuel taxes would produce $145 million a year. Revenue generated would all go to the state’s roads and bridges.
The measure was approved by the Senate Finance Committee on a 9-1 vote March 23. It now heads to the full Senate.
If given final approval by the Legislature and signed by the governor, the proposal would go before the public in the November general election.
For bill status, call (405) 521-2733.

3/11/04-A measure that would allow Oklahoma voters to decide whether to raise the state’s fuel tax to help fund road repairs passed the House March 3 by a 52-38 vote. It has been forwarded to the Senate.
HB2632, sponsored by Rep. Randall Erwin, D-Nashoba, and Sen. Robert Milacek, R-Enid, would phase in an 8-cent-per-gallon boost on diesel and a 5-cent-per-gallon increase on gas over a period from July 1, 2005, to July 1, 2008.
Drivers in the Sooner State now pay 14 cents a gallon in tax on diesel fuel and 17 cents a gallon on gasoline.
Revenue generated would all go to the state’s roads and bridges.
The higher taxes would be in effect until June 30, 2030, when taxes would revert to their current rate.
If given final approval by the Legislature and signed by the governor, the proposal would go before the public in the November 2004 general election.
The bill is in the Senate Finance Committee. For bill status, call (405) 521-2733.

3/1/04-Rep. Randall Erwin, D-Nashoba, and Sen. Robert Milacek, R-Enid, have sponsored legislation that would allow Oklahoma voters to decide whether to raise the state’s fuel tax to help fund road repairs.
Drivers in the Sooner State now pay 14 cents a gallon in tax on diesel fuel and 17 cents a gallon on gasoline. HB2632 would phase in an 8-cent per gallon boost on diesel and a 5-cent per gallon increase on gas over a period from July 1, 2005, to July 1, 2008.
Revenue generated would all go to the state’s roads and bridges.
The higher taxes would be in effect until June 30, 2030, when taxes would revert to their current rate.
If given final approval by the Legislature and signed by the governor, the proposal would go before the public in the November 2004 general election.
The bill is awaiting consideration before the full House. For bill status, call (405) 521-2733.