Oklahoma State Representative Thad Balkman, R-Norman, urged students to vote against the State Question 723 gas tax at the College Republicans meeting Wednesday.

Oklahomans will vote for the bill Sept. 13.

If passed, the bill will increase the unleaded fuel tax by five cents, diesel fuel by eight cents and will be a permanent constitutional amendment, Balkman said.

The increase would help fund better roads and bridges.

With gas prices about to hit $3 in the next few days because of Hurricane Katrina, Balkman said people are very price-sensitive about gas.

They have to buy it every day to go about their lives, he said.

"There are a lot of potholes and the roads and bridges are bad; no (one) will deny that it needs work," Balkman said. Still, he said, "I don't know about you, but I don't want to pay more for gas."

The tax increase would generate nearly $344 million in revenue when fully implemented, but each person would pay almost $100 more a year at the pump.

Balkman said the revenue increase isn't needed.

The state has budgeted $200 million dollars for the Department of Transportation in each of the past 15 years, and the Oklahoma House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 1078 that will bring $170 million more dollars to the Department of Transportation.

"The issue is not the need for more money, but a management of the money they already have," Balkman said.

Michael Patlan, chairman of College Republicans and political science senior, said he heard about the tax about a month ago when Balkman contacted him.

Patlan said like himself, there are a lot of students who won't know anything about the tax, and they need to be informed so they can actively participate in the voting process.

"There's an election coming up in 13 days and there are a lot of people who don't even know about this," Patlan said. "So this is just a way to raise awareness and let people know what's going in their state."

Patlan said they want the government to spend our money better and more efficiently.

To lobby against the tax, those opposing it will meet Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. on the steps of the Capitol Building, Patlan said.

Amy Aiken, zoology and biomedical sciences senior, said an increase in gas prices won't help her or her fellow students at all.

"Students are under such a limited budget already that they will definitely vote against this bill," Aiken said. "I know the roads are bad, but asking five more cents to fix them is a bit much."

Some students at the OU Young Democrats' meeting, which followed the Republicans' meeting at Oklahoma Memorial Union, said they are against the bill, but they do want improved roads and bridges.

Nathan Eicher, University College freshman, said the bill is going to be unpopular among students because everyone is already feeling the effect of high gas prices.

"No one will want gas prices to increase, regardless of what it's for," Eicher said. "Roads are bad, but gas is ridiculous."

Stephanie Bates, political science and Spanish senior, said Oklahoma's infrastructure is crumbling and it needs to be fixed.

"I think the general consensus is that we need to have taxes to fix things, but no one wants to pay for them, obviously," Bates said. "I'm for it and understand why we need it to be passed."
hello there & you too