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Talk About Tulsa => Other Tulsa Discussion => Topic started by: TeeDub on October 14, 2008, 11:16:29 PM

Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: TeeDub on October 14, 2008, 11:16:29 PM

Are tax dollars paying for all the news blitz for the street tax?

If not, why would private companies pay for the advertising?

Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: tulsa1603 on October 15, 2008, 12:25:17 AM
quote:
Originally posted by TeeDub


Are tax dollars paying for all the news blitz for the street tax?

If not, why would private companies pay for the advertising?





Don't know the answer to that question, but....

On the map they sent out, about half of what they show appeared to be "currently funded projects"...and the projects that would be funded by this initiative didn't seem all that critical to me, aside from Yale from 21st to the BA...  I'm voting no.  I don't think our streets are as bad as they're made out to be.  Go to Houston - now THOSE are bad streets.
Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: nathanm on October 15, 2008, 03:20:07 AM
quote:
Originally posted by tulsa1603

I don't think our streets are as bad as they're made out to be.


Do you drive? Or do you just drive some monster better suited to crawling over boulders on a mountainside? [:D]

Edited to add: If you oppose fixing the streets because you think that they're too heavily subsidized to the detriment of other forms of transportation, that's one thing, but saying the streets aren't bad? That's just closing your eyes and saying "LA LA LA I can't hear you!"
Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: sgrizzle on October 15, 2008, 07:39:19 AM
quote:
Originally posted by TeeDub


Are tax dollars paying for all the news blitz for the street tax?

If not, why would private companies pay for the advertising?





It's usually some unholy alliance between the chamber and various construction companies and/or suppliers. According to a previous article, the economy has some construction companies sweating over the outcome of this project.
Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: carltonplace on October 15, 2008, 07:40:49 AM
quote:
Originally posted by TeeDub


Are tax dollars paying for all the news blitz for the street tax?

If not, why would private companies pay for the advertising?





TChamber of Commerce is paying for the adds, so some taxes and some dues are funding them.
Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: Hoss on October 15, 2008, 08:12:19 AM
quote:
Originally posted by tulsa1603

quote:
Originally posted by TeeDub


Are tax dollars paying for all the news blitz for the street tax?

If not, why would private companies pay for the advertising?





Don't know the answer to that question, but....

On the map they sent out, about half of what they show appeared to be "currently funded projects"...and the projects that would be funded by this initiative didn't seem all that critical to me, aside from Yale from 21st to the BA...  I'm voting no.  I don't think our streets are as bad as they're made out to be.  Go to Houston - now THOSE are bad streets.



I lived there for three years...trust me, our streets, compared to Houston, suck.

When you need alignments twice a year, don't come cryin' here.
Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: Gaspar on October 15, 2008, 08:14:08 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Hoss

quote:
Originally posted by tulsa1603

quote:
Originally posted by TeeDub


Are tax dollars paying for all the news blitz for the street tax?

If not, why would private companies pay for the advertising?





Don't know the answer to that question, but....

On the map they sent out, about half of what they show appeared to be "currently funded projects"...and the projects that would be funded by this initiative didn't seem all that critical to me, aside from Yale from 21st to the BA...  I'm voting no.  I don't think our streets are as bad as they're made out to be.  Go to Houston - now THOSE are bad streets.



I lived there for three years...trust me, our streets, compared to Houston, suck.

When you need alignments twice a year, don't come cryin' here.



Yes Houston streets are nice, and during rush hour you get plenty of time to enjoy every inch of them.

Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: waterboy on October 15, 2008, 08:19:24 AM
How come no one has stated what seems obvious? Oil prices are dropping, travel mileage is declining, gasoline tax revenues to the state are dropping as well, the economy is sliding even locally and....the streets issue is up for a vote. Timing is bad and I suspect the lack of discussion and polling implies that it is in trouble.

Any guesses?
Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: sgrizzle on October 15, 2008, 08:35:11 AM
Oil prices dropping will increase per-gallon purchases and since the taxes are per gallon, not % based, that would have a positive effect on taxes from gasoline. Tulsa's economy, as a whole, is largely unaffected by the current crisis. Wachovia, Washington Mutual, etc don't even have a branch here. We're not tied to vehicle or leisure product manufacturing and we're definitely not a major tourist destination. Sure, my 401K dropped about 30% but I'm still paying my bills and moving right along like the majority of the Tulsa. We may claim "but what about all the foreclosures" and statistically they aren't that much higher in tulsa right now and home prices are still increasing in Tulsa despite the heavier restrictions and higher interest rates.
Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: waterboy on October 15, 2008, 09:16:41 AM
Yeah, I've heard such rationalizing for years. We're different, it won't affect us, etc. etc. About all I'll buy is that we are out of synch with the business cycles of the rest of the country. But we'll catch up.

Travel mileage is down all over the country, including this state. Gasoline tax revenues will decline in OK as well since there is going to be less travel within the region. Regardless of our oil rich economy, credit is going to be a problem here too. Have you noticed that retail is already marking down seasonal items? KTUL cut 13 jobs because undoubtedly advertising revenues are shrinking. Restaurants are feeling the pinch too. The crisis in confidence of the consumer and small businessman is real and we won't escape its ramifications here just because we have energy profits. Everyone's investments shrunk 30% not just middle class.

My prediction is that our timing for this road tax is as hurtful to its chances as the financial crisis has been to McCain. Both were flawed but had a chance. Now, they both fail. This time Kaiser, Warren and Zarrow aren't going to take up the slack like they did along the river.

That may not be such a bad thing. Increasing taxes during an economic downturn? I'm sure that most of the fiscal conservative, no new taxes, group of Tulsans would agree. For instance, Sally Bell recently said she could see NO reason to ever increase our taxes even in an emergency. This is certainly no emergency.  

Just sayin'.
Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: Conan71 on October 15, 2008, 10:58:18 AM
Channelling Friendly Bear:

Who is paying for the ads?

The Oligarchy

Tulsa Metro Chamber Pots

The Rooney/Flint Construction Cartel


Did I miss anyone?
Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: Kashmir on October 15, 2008, 11:51:44 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Conan71

Channelling Friendly Bear:

Who is paying for the ads?

The Oligarchy

Tulsa Metro Chamber Pots

The Rooney/Flint Construction Cartel


Did I miss anyone?




Ooh, I want to play Bear too...

ahem:

WAKE UP!

SMELL THE COFFEE

THE MAYOR AND HER STINKY FRIENDS ARE LAUGHING!

HALT THIS VOTE!

TEAR UP THE ALREADY FIXED STREETS!

TEAR DOWN THE BOK ARENA NOW!



I have no idea what I am saying, it's like living in a whole different realm.
Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: carltonplace on October 15, 2008, 01:54:25 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Conan71

Channelling Friendly Bear:

Who is paying for the ads?

The Oligarchy

Tulsa Metro Chamber Pots

The Rooney/Flint Construction Cartel


Did I miss anyone?



You forgot:
THE TAX VAMPIRES!!! [:O]
CHICKEN LITTLE
COUNT EARMARCULA!?! [:(!]
Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: Gold on October 15, 2008, 02:18:15 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Conan71

Channelling Friendly Bear:

Who is paying for the ads?

The Oligarchy

Tulsa Metro Chamber Pots

The Rooney/Flint Construction Cartel


Did I miss anyone?



Lorton.

Impeach Wiseman now.

It's all a conspiracy with Col. Sanders, Ronald McDonald, and Der Kaiser.

Speaking of Kaiser, mmm, motzah balls.

Poor Kitty.

Meow.

[:O]
Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: sgrizzle on October 15, 2008, 02:23:44 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Gold


Lorton.

Impeach Wiseman now.

It's all a conspiracy with Col. Sanders, Ronald McDonald, and Der Kaiser.

Speaking of Kaiser, mmm, motzah balls.

Poor Kitty.

Meow.

[:O]



FB or Shadows?
Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: swake on November 05, 2008, 03:24:25 PM
I'm really shocked that no one has mentioned that the city streets plan passed, and easily. It seems that Tulsans are not complete cheapskates.

Sally Bell was even on Medlocks show this afternoon and blamed her loss in part to her non-support of the streets plan hurting her with voters in the city of Tulsa.
Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: Conan71 on November 05, 2008, 03:31:53 PM
Sally was a single-issue candidate in my mind:

"No new taxes for any reason".  Refusing to even bring a vote in front of people for possible new projects was totally out of touch.  Fits the Mudschlock and Bates paradigm just fine but not the majority of the electorate, obviously.

I was pleased, if not rather surprised to see the ease with which it was passed.  If all goes well the first five years, I'd gladly vote for more street funding and projects in five years.
Title: Streets plan on ballot
Post by: swake on November 05, 2008, 03:41:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Conan71

Sally was a single-issue candidate in my mind:

"No new taxes for any reason".  Refusing to even bring a vote in front of people for possible new projects was totally out of touch.  Fits the Mudschlock and Bates paradigm just fine but not the majority of the electorate, obviously.

I was pleased, if not rather surprised to see the ease with which it was passed.  If all goes well the first five years, I'd gladly vote for more street funding and projects in five years.




I was pleased too. The $2 billion plan was just too much to pass at once. Break it into pieces. It would be great if the next $500 million chunk could be funded by a gas tax.