The state Senate Finance Committee yesterday passed a bill that would take $59.7 million from the state roads and bridges fund and apply it to the state budget deficit. OKFB President Tom Buchanan issued the following statement in response.
“Roads and bridges are absolutely vital to Oklahoma agriculture, as farmers and ranchers rely on safe, dependable infrastructure to transport commodities.
“For decades, our state took money from roads and bridges and used it for general funds. Our state’s infrastructure suffered for years until the current funding system was put into place.
“We understand the budget crisis calls for across-the-board cuts, but our state’s transportation is not the place. Roads and bridges are a core function of government. Once money is taken away, it’s often difficult to get back.
“As the state’s largest general agriculture organization, we urge our state senators to vote no on SB1394.”
