8/20/07-A state lawmaker wants to make sure that more money is available for roads.
Rep. Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City, is filing legislation for consideration next year that would ensure road funding is increased by at least $50 million annually.
Liebmann, chairman of the House General Government and Transportation Committee, said the proposal would remove a trigger in Oklahoma law that requires state revenue to grow at least 3 percent before the state Transportation Department receives an annual increase of up to $50 million.
A 2006 law provided for up to $50 million a year for roads and bridges in the state until $200 million in new funding was put together. The 3-percent stipulation led to only $17.5 million being allotted for transportation in the 2008 fiscal year.
Officials with ODOT said another failure to reach the growth figure would have a snowball effect on the agency's backlog.
Transportation Director Gary Ridley said each passing year makes it more difficult to pay for transportation work. He cited a 45 percent increase in the cost of materials in the past three years, The Journal Record in Oklahoma City reported.
The proposed legislation would require ODOT to get at least $50 million in new funding each year until the $200 million threshold is achieved. The state's tax collection would have no bearing on the amount.
"Maintenance of roads and bridges is a core function of government and there's no reason to place an artificial limit on how much we can spend in that area," Liebmann said in a written statement.
The issue can be brought up during the regular session that convenes in February 2008.
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