Infrastructure

The authority would own and oversee a $3 billion partly bond-financed domed stadium for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.

Allowing tax-exempt bonds to remain outstanding during a long-term concession would lower financing costs, advocates say.

The state says the $6.5 billion project is not possible without toll revenue.

As fuel prices ratchet up due to the Iran war, two states are already exploring suspending their fuel tax which would take a bite out of tax revenue and possibly lead to future bond sales.

The rules could lengthen the procurement timeline for some projects.

Such a bank would be a "revolving financing tool that allows us to stretch dollars further, leverage federal programs without surrendering control, and deliver more projects without raising taxes," Gov. Jeff Landry said. 

The audit did not quell calls for greater transparency and oversight for the authority as it continues a bond-financed expansion program.

Oregon lawmakers balanced the state budget in an intense short session with debates over sports subsidies, transportation cuts and federal income tax conformity.

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it has shaved more than $4 billion off construction costs in five years.