sq 723 defeated

[JIMMY]

Voters Reject SQ 723
Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at 9:59am

In a history-making vote, Oklahomans say 'No' to a proposed fuel tax increase. Supporters of SQ 723 say they'll take their battle to the Legislature.


by Melissa Gandall


Oklahoma voters put the brakes on a plan to increase fuel taxes to pay for road and bridge repairs.  An overwhelming 87% of those who voted Tuesday were against SQ 723.  State election officials say it's the biggest defeat for a state question in history, beating a sales tax question in 1952, which was rejected with 86% of the vote.  The head of the group, Oklahomans for Safe Bridges and Roads, which pushed for SQ 723 says the battle might have been lost, but the war is far from being finished.  Former Transportation Secretary Neal McCaleb says he'll take his fight for more funding to the State Legislature.