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<DIV><FONT size=4>Today's Oklahoman has a story about the proposed OKC bond
issue. Hundreds of millions for roads, a little over $7 million for
transit. This is a HUGE disappointment. I for one intend to vote
against and to campaign against this bond issue, unless between now and then
something serious is announced by Oklahoma City regarding Maps 3 and transit or
they change their proposal to allocate more funds for public transit
infrastructure improvements. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>It would also be nice to hear something from OKC government
about a plan to address the problems with Oklahoma's gas tax. Why doesn't
Oklahoma City receive enough money from the state gas tax to fix its roads
without taking out a mortgage? I'm guessing the answers are -- (1) the
Oklahoma gas tax isn't big enough to cover all the needs, and (2) the
distribution of the gas tax revenues is politicized and Oklahoma City has done a
poor job of making the case for a better share of the existing money. This
is likely also true of Tulsa (not to pick on OKC unduly. . .).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>One interesting thing about the bond issue, however. It
lays to rest the old anti-transit claim that "road traffic pays its own way" via
the gas and diesel tax. If that was true, OKC would not need to borrow
half a BILLION dollars to fix its roads.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Anyone interested in working with me in opposition to this
bond issue, please contact me in private email at <A
href="mailto:bwaldrop@cox.net">bwaldrop@cox.net</A> .</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>It would also help a lot if the Oklahoman received a sudden
spurt of letters opposing this bond issue. Send them to <A
href="mailto:yourviews@oklahoman.com">yourviews@oklahoman.com</A> , and make
sure they are LESS THAN 225 words. Include your name, address, and phone
number. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Bob Waldrop, Oklahoma City</FONT></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>