Bill to allow states to manage highway revenue

Tulsa Today
Written by Staff Report
Thursday, 28 July 2011 13:49

U.S. Senators Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK), John McCain (R-AZ), David Vitter (R-LA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), John Cornyn (R-TX), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Daniel Coats (R-IN), Mike Lee (R-UT), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Representatives James Lankford (R-OK) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) today introduced the State Transportation Flexibility Act that would allow state transportation departments to opt out of the Federal-Aid Highway and Mass Transit programs. Instead, these states would be able to manage and spend the gas tax revenue collected within their state on transportation projects without federal mandates or restrictions. In addition to the 14 Senators and 24 Representatives co-sponsoring this bill, it has received support from numerous national organizations and state officials including endorsements from Governor Mary Fallin (R-OK) and Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation, Gary Ridley.

“Washington’s addiction to spending has bankrupted the Highway Trust Fund. For years, lower-priority projects like earmarks have crowded out important priorities in our states, such as repairing crumbling roads and bridges. Instead of burdening states and micromanaging local transportation decisions from Washington, states like Oklahoma should be free to choose how their transportation dollars are spent. I have no doubt that Oklahoma’s Transportation Director Gary Ridley will do a much better job deciding how Oklahoma’s transportation dollars are spent than bureaucrats and politicians in Washington,” said Dr. Coburn.

“This has been one of my top priorities since coming to Congress, and I’m happy to join Senator Coburn in this effort. This bill is a giant step for states by increasing transportation flexibility while improving efficiency,” said Representative Lankford. “By allowing states to opt-out of the federal bureaucracy, they will be able to take more control of their own resources. It will free Oklahoma to keep our own federal gas taxes and to fund new projects at our own discretion.”

“As a Federalist, I have long advocated that states should retain the right to keep the revenue from gas taxes paid by drivers in their own state, said Senator McCain. “This bill would allow for this to happen and prevent Arizonans from returning their hard earned money to Washington. Arizonans have always received 95 cents or less for every dollar they pay federal gas taxes. This continues to be unacceptable, and for that reason I am a proud supported of the State Highway Flexibility Act.” FULL ARTICLE

Posted on Thu, July 28, 2011 by John Cox

1 comment (Add your own)

1. Alva L. Young wrote:: I have invented a high tech means of raising hundreds of millions in new revenue without raising taxes or cutting existing programs. I have contacted Senator Coburn who directed me to one of his assistants. the following is a copy of a proposal overview sent to his assistant . This overview explains what I am trying to do.

PROPOSAL OVERVIEW
(DISCUSSED BY EMAIL WITH SENATOR COBURN)

My name is Alva Young and I have a proposition for Oklahoma to think about. I am a retired electronics engineer, and have stumbled onto a new method of raising huge amounts of revenue without raising taxes or cutting programs. I have done this in the arena of “Public Safety.” I contacted Senator Coburn, and he told me to contact you to help develop this idea. He prefers this starts at state level.

I may be retired, but I stay active as a member of a small think tank group. Our objective is to examine new technologies and devise new applications. We have been aware for some time that emergency vehicle crashes are on the rise in America, and around the world.

Cars are getting quieter and drivers have more distractions than ever. Not only are cell phones partly responsible for a good portion of the distraction, but dash boards now come equipped with navigation screens and MP3 players. Stereos also have smaller buttons to accommodate the many new features. Google “emergency vehicle crashes” and see what you get. The list is impressive and needs attention.

The recent annual meeting of the National Highway Transportation Safety Board, held their main theme to the problem of “distracted drivers.” A lot of grant money from many sources is available for research into this area. I chose not to use grant money because of the fine print in the grant application process. I solved the problem.

My solution is a two part system involving a $25.00 transmitter on the emergency vehicle, and a high-tech RFID type sticker in a car’s windshield where the safety sticker used to be. The transmitter does not require a technician to wire it into the electrical system of an emergency vehicle. It simply sticks on the top of the cab like a refrigerator magnet, weather proof and maintenance free.

The rise in ambient noise when the siren comes on will trigger it. The transmitter is manufactured under license for approximately twenty five dollars a copy. It is licensed to conform to all aspects of FCC code “Part 15”.

The transmitter will send out a digital signal for about three thousand feet in all directions. Any driver in the area with RFID tag will be alerted with flashing colored lights coming from the tag.

The RFID tag will be available at tag agencies every year when registering the vehicle. This tag will cost approx $15.00 and will be replaced every year. This is a modified version of the label tags used to track packages around the world. This will generate a lot of annual revenue. There are a lot of cars and motorcycles in Oklahoma. Other states wanting the system will have to buy franchises from Oklahoma.

However, the patent is in my name. I will have to sign the patent rights over to the state in return for an exclusive manufacturing arrangement. Legislation will have to be passed requiring this system be implemented as mandatory, the same as seat belts. The people will not mind as much as just raising taxes. The public will have a new layer of public safety with the state acting as a model for the rest of the nation.

Most people are not aware that the “Pike Pass” system started in Tulsa, and quickly spread to the rest of the nation. RFID technology is advancing into new areas world wide, with no end in sight. This will not be obsolete in just a few years. RFID and printed electronics are here.

The Pike Pass system in recent weeks changed over to the new RFID technology. The system has been upgraded with RFID stickers in the windshield, rather than a box.

I haven’t invented anything new. I have designed a much needed economical system of preventing emergency vehicle crashes using leading edge technology. This is technology in daily use worldwide in other applications.

My main problem is in trying to get the attention of someone in politics that can visualize the amount of revenue we are really talking about. I finally managed to get a phone conversation with one of Senator Coburn’s people, a Mr. Sekeimia, but did not do a very good job of explaining things.

I had the impression Mr. Sekeimia thought I was trying to get the Senator to endorse a new product. That is not what I meant at all. We need legislator to introduce a public safety bill to make this happen.

Recently Oklahoma upgraded its pike pass system to RFID as I am proposing to use in accident prevention. RFID is the technology of the future. It is here to stay.

A public Safety bill of this nature will sail through the finance committee. After all, who would ever want to be on record as having voted against a public safety enhancement?

This will be a dream for us in handling the manufacturing. We will not require a marketing dept. or an advertising budget. We will also not require expensive retail packaging. We will enjoy the convenience of bulk shipping. It will be a great deal for us, and the state of Oklahoma.

RFID technology is not new. It is now being suggested to put RFID chips into license plates and driver’s license. RFID is already being used in credit cards, inventory tracking, and employee identification.

Manufacturing RFID basically amounts to an exotic printing process, with reel to reel production possible. This type of technology lends itself well to low cost high speed production. Setting up a production and shipping facility is an easy project creating a lot of jobs.

Thank you for the time spent reading this. I am 68 years old and in frail health. I don’t get out much. If you need to have me meet you I will be glad to do so. Please call.

Alva Young
918-321-3416
alvayoung1@att.net

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Thu, August 11, 2011 @ 1:49 PM

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