Oklahoma City and Tulsa unite to present legislative priorities

(April 23, 2008) - For the second year in a row, city leaders from Oklahoma City and Tulsa have partnered to present a joint agenda to the 51st Oklahoma Legislature for 2008.

The agenda, signed by Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor, outlines six issues fundamental to the future of both cities and municipalities throughout the state.

“Working together we have a much better chance of driving our message to members of the House and Senate,” said Cornett.  “One of the biggest challenges that cities across the state face is an overdependence on sales tax as our primary revenue source.  Adopting a diverse revenue-neutral base for municipalities would benefit every city in the state.”

“Oklahoma City and Tulsa are the two economic engines of our state,” said Taylor.  “We share the same challenges with regard to addressing our aging and underfunded infrastructure with increasingly limited resources.  Working together we make sure the state legislature hears the roar of these two engines at the state capitol.”

Key components of the joint legislative agenda are:

1. Progress towards diversifying a revenue-neutral base for cities.
2. Remove the 3% revenue growth trigger for transportation funding.
3. Support efforts to address increased gang activity in Oklahoma.
4. Protect our revenue stream by not allowing more exemptions to existing sales tax collections.
5. Consider a stronger state role in regional mass transit in and around Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
6. Work to establish an incentive program for quality events.

Log on to www.okc.gov for details.