Report says road repair progress threatened
Capitol Report for weeklies for week of May 13, 2007
By Jim Campbell
OPA Capitol News Bureau
An eight-year drive to fix some of the nation's most dangerous roads and bridges could be stalled in a budget traffic jam before shifting into high gear.
A national transportation research group has hoisted a warning flag to that extent, saying a $32.5 million installment this year is contingent on revenue growth of 3 percent that will remain in question until the fiscal year ends June 30.
Higher corporate income taxes as well as robust revenue from oil and gas production will provide $175 million more for budgeting in Fiscal Year 2008 than predicted in February, and transportation is putting in its bid for a chunk of it. So are higher education, corrections, nursing home operators and others.
A new report by TRIP, the Road Information Program based in Washington, said losing $32.5 million the first year "would be a significant roadblock to Oklahoma's new eight-year road, highway and bridge improvement program and would hurt the state's ability to make significant improvements in its transportation system."
How bad is it? According to TRIP, Oklahoma has the nation's highest rate of deficient bridges, a traffic fatality rate 18 percent higher than the national average and urban congestion growing 21 times faster than roadway capacity.
Poorly designed roads are an important factor in one-third of all traffic fatalities and serious accidents, the report said.
"Oklahoma continues to lag behind the nation," said Frank Moretti, TRIP director of policy and research.
Neal McCaleb, former state transportation director and turnpike authority director, said it would be a shame to put on the brakes "just as we're starting to turn the ship around."
McCaleb blamed potential loss of the $32.5 million next year on an "accounting error" in the original estimate of state revenues. He urged the Legislature to use some of the anticipated extra $175 million in carryover funds.
"We just hope the Legislature keeps the trust," said McCaleb, now president of the TRUST Road Coalition.
The eight-year program was enacted by the 2006 Legislature with an initial infusion of $17 million.
HHH
The governor gave a less than enthusiastic pen stroke to an immigration bill hailed by supporters as the nation's toughest, predicting there won't be significant progress on the issue until Congress takes it on.
"While some will undoubtedly claim this state legislation is a landmark step forward, the truth of the matter is we will not effectively address immigration reform until the federal government acts," Henry said in signing the statement.
"State leaders should closely monitor the impact of HB 1804 in the months and years to come to ensure that it doesn't have any unintended consequences," he said.
Critics were quick to identify problems in such areas as prison crowding and lack of county jail space for undocumented aliens awaiting pickup by federal officers, higher education and faith group humanitarianism. Court challenges were suggested by Hispanic groups and the American Civil Liberties Union.
House author Randy Terrill, R-Moore, said if more funds are needed for local law enforcement he will work to provide them in the next session. He said he did not try to put the bill into effect before Nov. 1, allowing time for officials to prepare for it.
The author of a vetoed abortion bill directed his second override attempt at four unnamed senators he believed to be "really struggling with this issue."
"I'm only speaking to four of you," Sen. James Williamson, R-Tulsa, said, before again falling one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed.
The senator, whose SB 714 would bar use of state funds, facilities or employees in abortions, pledged to continue the fight in 2008 if he doesn't get it done this year.
"I've been doing this for 27 years," said Williamson, the only senator to debate the issue the second time around. "I don't give up on one vote."
HHH
Future legislatures will feel heat from retired educators should they fail to keep a new commitment to the teacher retirement system, the governor says.
"We are making the commitment this year and it would be foolish for a future legislature to come back and undo it," the governor said at a signing ceremony for SB 357, a bipartisan effort.
The bill raises contribution requirements of school districts contingent on lawmakers providing additional funding.
Tommy Beavers, executive secretary of the Teacher Retirement System, said, "I think they're really committed to it."
"At least we're going in the right direction," he said.
The bill by Sens. Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, and Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, contains a provision to ensure funding in times of economic downturn or decreased tax revenues. 
HHH