History of State Public Transit Funding

1990 - The Public Transit Revolving Fund, a bill authored by Rep. Carolyn Thompson and Sen. Trish Weedn, becomes law. No funds are appropriated; only the formula for distribution of funds.

1991 - Legislature allocates $500,000 for the Public Transit Revolving Fund (PTRF) during the general confe mrence committee on appropriations. Source of funds: the Highway Construction & Maintenance Fund.

1992 - Legislature allocates $500,000 for the Public Transit Revolving Fund (PTRF) during the general conference committee on appropriations. Source of funds: the Highway Construction & Maintenance Fund.

1993 - Legislature allocates $500,000 for the Public Transit Revolving Fund (PTRF) during the general conference committee on appropriations. Source of funds: the Highway Construction & Maintenance Fund.

1994 - HB 1873, by Rep. Larry Adair and Sen. Keith Leftwich, establishes a dedicated fund for the PTRF. For the last three years, funding has come as a result of the appropriations process action by the Legislature. This bill combines two funds (Amtrak earmark of $1.2 million and transit funding of $500,000) and splits the $1.7 million funds even. First, the $500,000 from the motor fuel tax was going to public transit every year. In 1993, the Legislature established a dedicated fund for passenger rail service from the motor fuel tax. This passenger rail fund amounted to approximately $1.2 million. HB 1873 combined those two which amounted to $1.7 million and split that amount evenly between transit and passenger rail. Both receive $850,000.

1995 - The Oklahoma Transit Association, having received a $350,000 and/or 70 percent increase in 1994 did not ask for any new funds in 1995. Instead, the OTA Board of Directors wanted to demonstrate use of the new funds before asking for any further increase.

1996 - As a result in the growth of the general revenue fund, the Legislature allocates an additional $500,000 to the PTRF. This is an addition to the dedicated fund of $850,000. For the first time, the PTRF tops $1 million at $1.35 million.

1997 - The Legislature increases PTRF funding to $1.85 million total. There is the dedicated fund of $850,000. As a result in the growth of the general revenue fund, the Legislature allocates an additional $500,000 to the PTRF. The Legislature also commits $500,000 from the Highway Construction & Maintenance Fund to the PTRF. The 1997 PTRF fund stands at $1.85 million.

1998 - The Legislature increases PTRF funding to $2.35 million total. There is the dedicated fund of $850,000. As a result in the growth of the general revenue fund, the Legislature allocates an additional $1,000,000 to the PTRF. The Legislature also commits $500,000 from the Highway Construction & Maintenance Fund to the PTRF. For the first time, the PTRF tops $2 million at $2.35 million.

1999 through 2004 - the Legislature moves funds from the ODOT Construction & Maintenance Fund into the Public Transit Revolving Fund hitting a high-water mark of $2 million in 2002. In 2003, the state budget downturn dictates a five-percent cut across the board for most all state programs. Transit funding from ODOT C&M is reduced to $1.9 million.

2005 – Historic intermodal legislation is approved by the Legislature and the Governor for roads, bridges, public transit and passenger rail. Public transit HB 1078 provides an additional $500,000 for the Public Transit Revolving Fund from the state general revenue fund. At the same time, the bill calls for $3 million from general revenue fund in 2006.

2006 – Pursuant to HB 1078 from the 2005 session, an additional $2 million is inserted into the Public Transit Revolving Fund.