In conservative Oklahoma we "suspend work" on highways projects like a 3rd world country.

[anon_xl72qcu5isp39]

Our Republican Governor, Republican Lt. Governor, Republican Senate, Republican House, and Republican ODOT have somehow engineered stopping, mid-project, multiple highway projects, including widening at perhaps the state's busiest interchange (I-235 and I-44). I was in OKC and drove through there a few days ago and entrance ramps to I-235 were shut down, creating a long, inconvenient detour. There's not enough money to finish it.

Good, responsible government. Thank you conservatives, for yet another example of how conservatives run government.

On Monday, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation announced it is stopping the awarding highway construction contracts for May, suspending work on 12 scheduled projects and is preparing a list of more than 80 construction projects currently under construction that could be suspended. "We’re stuck on some of those invoices, not having the funds to pay, so we didn’t want to get any deeper in this hole,” said Terri Angier, ODOT spokeswoman, Tuesday afternoon.

 

[aix_xpert]

Pretty stupid. Not sure its a Dem or Rep thing though. Every politician in every state always seems to assume that revenues will only ever grow. Unfortunately for Oklahoma, when oil gets cheap the state gets poor.

 

[anon_xl72qcu5isp39]

Pretty stupid. Not sure its a Dem or Rep thing though. Every politician in every state always seems to assume that revenues will only ever grow. Unfortunately for Oklahoma, when oil gets cheap the state gets poor.

Republicans slashed the gross production taxes.

 

[aix_xpert]

Republicans slash taxes (supposedly) and then people gripe when the government doesn't have enough money. Dems spend money, spike debt then raise taxes to pay for all the programs they've already committed to. And thanks to the 2-party, primary system which ensure moderates have no voice, there is no middle ground for smart government.

 

[CowboyJD]

Republicans slash taxes (supposedly) and then people gripe when the government doesn't have enough money. Dems spend money, spike debt then raise taxes to pay for all the programs they've already committed to. And thanks to the 2-party, primary system which ensure moderates have no voice, there is no middle ground for smart government.

 

[anon_xl72qcu5isp39]

Republicans slash taxes (supposedly) and then people gripe when the government doesn't have enough money. Dems spend money, spike debt then raise taxes to pay for all the programs they've already committed to. And thanks to the 2-party, primary system which ensure moderates have no voice, there is no middle ground for smart government.

No, that narrative is wrong in Oklahoma. Democrats don't "spike debt" in Oklahoma. Oklahoma doesn't get in debt, unless you're talking about certain bonds.

I agree there needs to be another party. I wish it would throw ideology out the window, but it won't happen. It would split in about two seconds over abortion.

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

The gross production tax in OK is still higher over at least the first 24 months than most neighboring states.

 

[anon_xl72qcu5isp39]

The gross production tax in OK is still higher over at least the first 24 months than most neighboring states.

Nice they wait to raise it back up until the decline curve really kicks in.

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

The issue is that the state is too reliant upon the energy industry in both good and bad times. If you think Oklahoma energy companies have been in tall cotton since 2014, you're mistaken. In terms of corporate sources of tax revenue, there just isn't large enough tax base.

I'd favor an increase in the gasoline tax personally, perhaps somehow indexed to the spot/commodity price, or even better, linked to the oil price. I understand this will impact low-to-moderate income folks hardest. The OK rate is the lowest of any neighboring state (only 0.3 cents < Missouri). Only AK and SC are lower. I'd favor an increase of 3 cents, to TX's rate, maybe more for trucking concerns. I also realize that won't raise a lot of revenue.