Nothing about the elimination of tax credits for some energy industries. But Governor Mary Fallin, in her State of the State address on Monday called for adopting a plan where gasoline and diesel taxes go to roads and bridges.
“My plan will ensure taxes associated with roads and bridges are the funding source for maintenance of roads and bridges,—period—returning individual income taxes to the General Revenue Fund,” said the governor. “This plan does not impact the projects in the Department of Transportation’s 8-year plan.”
She noted how Oklahoma ranks 48th in diesel tax in the nation and 49th in gasoline tax.
“I am proposing a new revenue stream by increasing our gas and diesel taxes to the regional state average, but still below the national average. By trading out the use of individual income tax to a gas and diesel tax dedicated to fund our roads and bridges, this budget change dramatically improves the percentage of revenue collections the Legislature could control.”
It was the only energy related suggestion in her address. The only other energy reference came early in her address.
“There is no question the dramatic downturn in our energy sector and an increased loss of sales tax revenue from online shopping the last couple of years have affected our state—both in our private and public sectors.”
