Oklahoma lawmakers Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, and Rep. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, say states should be allowed to opt out of federal highway programs and keep the gasoline tax revenue collected in their states.
NewsOK
BY CHRIS CASTEEL ccasteel@opubco.com
Published: July 29, 2011
WASHINGTON — Sen. Tom Coburn and Rep. James Lankford proposed Thursday that states be allowed to opt out of federal highway programs and keep the gasoline tax revenue collected in their states.
The Oklahoma lawmakers said a bill they are sponsoring with several other Republicans would eliminate red tape and mandates and give states the power to set their own road and bridge priorities.
“Washington's addiction to spending has bankrupted the Highway Trust Fund,” Coburn, R-Muskogee, said.
“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.” FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Fri, July 29, 2011
by John Cox