The West Virginia Legislature is considering a plan to ask voters to approve $1 billion of bonds for state road projects, according to the Charleston Daily Mail.
The idea surfaced a day after lawmakers convened in regular session Jan. 11, when Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox suggested that a referendum authorizing a constitutional amendment for the road bonds be considered, the newspaper reported.
He said the $1 billion would allow the state to resume plans to build 17 projects that have been delayed due to a lack of funding.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has no plans to bring such an initiative forward during this year’s session, though some lawmakers indicated that they supported the idea of holding a referendum this spring, the newspaper said.
Placing an amendment on the ballot would require both chambers to approve the measure by a two-thirds vote.
Senate Minority Leader Mike Hall, R-Putnam, said it might be easier to sell voters on the idea than some critics think, and his chamber may move forward with a proposal.
The Legislature is in session through March 10.
