A few weeks ago I sent an email to each member of the Tulsa City Council asking them some questions regarding possible subsidies paid by Tulsa tax payers to fund the operation of a high-speed rail line between OKC and Tulsa. Councilor Westcott was the first to respond, Councilor Bynum the second, Councilor Troyer third, and now Republican candidate for district 6 council, Jim Mautino, has thrown in his two cents.
- Would you favor subsidizing the operational costs of the high-speed rail line?
- Would this money come from Tulsa’s operational budget which is funded by the first 2 pennies of sales tax?
- Would you favor a new sales tax?
- Would you favor some other funding mechanism? Might we require some help from the state legislature in order to provide us with the tools necessary to exploit some other untapped funding source?
- Could refusal from Tulsa or Oklahoma City to help fund the operational costs of the proposed high-speed train de-rail the project?
Hi Steve,
Jim Inhofe, when Mayor of Tulsa, proposed a monorail loop for Tulsa. Looking back this would have been a boon
for our fair city.
In 2004 during the campaign for City Council, Light Rail (not to be confused with High Speed Trains) was a big issue. At that time research showed that Light Rail would cost four million a mile and Mono Rail one million a mile.
The cost comparison can also be applied to High Speed Trains versus High Speed Monorail Trains, with figures in the billions. Successful rail systems rely on connections to high density population areas with strong urban Public Transportation Systems.
At this time Tulsans are ready to have streets fixed, more police protection, more fire stations, and improved school system.
After these issues are resolved I would be in favor of an urban Monorail loop around Tulsa and high speed Monorail to OKC.
So my answer to your first question is no. I am opposed to more or any new taxes. The remaining questions would be moot.
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