Senator Inhofe Pushes For DRIVE Act

A recent national study by the Washington-based nonprofit TRIP shows Oklahoma City and Tulsa having some of the worst roads in the country. Legislation pending in Congress right now could help to change that, if one Oklahoma lawmaker has his way.

U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe, (R) Oklahoma, is pushing for passage of the DRIVE (Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy) Act, legislation that he says will make it possible for Oklahoma and other states to address their -- and the nation's -- deteriorating road system.

Since 2009, when the last long-term highway funding act expired, Sen. Inhofe says there have been 33 short-term stopgap measures.

"That's just too many," said Oklahoma Department of Transportation spokeswoman Terri Angier, "that's just unrealistic for departments to be able to plan projects ahead, because the nature of transportation projects are long-term."

Angier says that's why ODOT is so excited about the DRIVE Act and its 6-year funding plan.

"We are watching it with much anticipation," said Angier, "in hopes of it passing."

Inhofe is equally hopeful.

"The DRIVE Act is about putting America back on the map as a place to do business," Inhofe said, in this past weekend's Republican message,

Inhofe is co-sponsor of the Act and explained to his audience that it would be good, not only for commerce, but also for taxpayers

"It provides long-term funding certainty," Inhofe stated. "We also streamline regulations, enforce new transparency measures so taxpayers know how their money is being spent."

According to Inhofe, 54 percent of America's major roads are rated poor or mediocre; one in four bridges requires significant repair; 20,000 miles of our highways are congested; and in 2011, Americans wasted 5.5 billion hours and 2.9 billion gallons of gas waiting in congested traffic.

"Without a long-term solution," said Inhofe, "these numbers will continue to skyrocket."

The DRIVE Act offers increased federal funding -- about $37 million more for Oklahoma the first year, and a 3 percent hike each subsequent year -- and the ability to make long-term plans.

"So that's the excitement for Oklahoma and many of the other states," said Angier. "That's more important than even the additional funds, which are always welcome."

The other primary sponsor of the bill is California Senator Barbara Boxer, a Democrat, so there is bipartisan support for the measure. That was demonstrated when it passed unanimously out of committee last month.

The bill is expected to be voted on by the full Senate Wednesday or Thursday this week.