Alva Review-Courier -

As stewards for the taxpayers of Alfalfa County, it is difficult to plan the replacement of roads and bridges within our county, when in the Special Session of the Legislature, Governor Fallin diverted an additional $80 million from County Improvements for Roads and Bridges, also known as CIRB funds. This brings the total money diverted from the program $130 million this year. Statewide, this will delay or remove 170 county road and bridge projects. All projects could be delayed and probably will be delayed.

This is the fourth time our CIRB fund has been diverted to help address the budget shortfall in our state. The CIRB fund is a product of money designated from car tag and license fees, which was a fair fee paid by automobiles and trucks for use on the roads within our state. The diversion of funds over the years amounts to $230 million that was dedicated for road and bridge improvement, but equal diversion of other agency funds would seem to be fair to all. As county commissioners, we view ourselves as partners with the legislature and the governor to build a better state for the future. Our number one priority is the safety of all Oklahomans and the issues that keep us awake are those yellow buses and students who are exposed to critical need in Alfalfa County.

We would hope that you would join our efforts to educate our legislators and other elected officials on the importance of maintaining a well-thought-out plan to address our county's needs, with the hope they would support a way to recapture the loss of funding as our economy improves.