Oklahoma House committee rejects fuel tax increase measure

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A proposal to increase Oklahoma’s fuel taxes has been rejected by an Oklahoma House committee.

The House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget Tuesday voted 14-9 against the bill that would raise gasoline and diesel fuel taxes in the state.

Oklahoma’s fuel tax is currently 17 cents per gallon for gas and 14 cents for diesel. The measure would have increased the taxes to 20 cents for gasoline and 17 cents for diesel. The increase would not be collected if fuel rose above $3 a gallon.

Supporters say the increase would free revenue used to pay for road and bridge construction. Every one-cent increase would generate about $28 million in new revenue.

Opponents say Oklahoma voters soundly defeated a proposed fuel tax increase in 2005.

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House Bill 3212: https://bit.ly/1XkiRnu