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Train tax will cost Oklahoma City for generations

Oklahoma City’s Mayor and City Council are being asked to take a huge step toward a new commuter rail system—one that will mean higher sales taxes and decades of financial obligations for taxpayers.

The proposal includes a 39-mile commuter-rail line connecting Edmond, Oklahoma City, and Norman.

The estimated $1.8 billion infrastructure cost is only part of it. Building the commuter rail would be followed by the ongoing expense of operating, maintaining, repairing, and eventually replacing the infrastructure. Those costs will extend far beyond today's taxpayers.

This would be a major, multigenerational commitment of public dollars.

And the regional system would be overseen by ONE Transit, which is governed by an appointed seven-member board rather than officials directly elected to the regional authority by Oklahoma City voters.

The Oklahoma City Mayor and City Council now face a consequential decision about whether to move the train tax proposition forward to the ballot. Now is the time for Oklahoma City residents to make their position known.

Use this easy action tool to contact your Oklahoma City Mayor and City Council members and let them know you do NOT want this sales tax increase advanced to the ballot.