Bill would convey $59.7M in road funds to general fund

A bill that cleared a legislative committee on Tuesday would take $59.7 million from the state’s road and bridge fund to help close a huge hole in the state budget.

State Sen. Ervin Yen, R-Oklahoma City, said this money represents an automatic increase in a fund that will still contain $471 million for a program funding a series of projects over an eight-year period.

His bill, which now goes to the full Senate, also said that future increases in the funding level will not take place unless there is yearly general revenue growth of 4 percent.

The state is facing a $1.3 billion budget hole.

“We’re just trying to chip away at this whole thing,” Yen said.

Move is opposed

Bobby Stem, executive director for Association of Oklahoma General Contractors, said the bill would siphon off funds “critical to maintaining and improving Oklahoma’s roads and bridges.”

“Today’s action will delay muchneeded work and repairs to Oklahoma’s decaying infrastructure.

“Currently, Oklahoma’s road and bridge funding is a small 4.5 percent of the state’s total budget and, like others, has already suffered across-the-board cuts.

“The Association of Oklahoma General Contractors firmly opposes any cuts to transportation. It is absolutely vital that we stay committed to improving the safety of Oklahoma.”