Louisiana Ways and Means Panel Advances Road-Funding Blueprint

DALLAS — The Louisiana House Ways and Means Committee has backed an 11-point outline of how the state should finance transportation projects.

Tuesday’s unanimous endorsement sends House Concurrent Resolution 115 to consideration by the full chamber.

The resolution calls for new but unspecified revenue sources, with all transportation-related revenues indexed to construction inflation to maintain purchasing power.

The revised financial system must generate at least $750 million a year in current dollars, resolution sponsor Rep. Hollis Downs, R-Ruston, told the ­committee.

“That’s the minimum needed to maintain and keep safe our existing highway system,” Downs said. “This does not include any new construction projects.”

The measure warns that the state must look beyond fixed taxes on gasoline and diesel, which the resolution called “an antiquated, declining source of revenue with little or no upside potential.”

Inflation has reduced by half the purchasing power of the gas tax, Downs said.

Revenue options in the resolution include toll roads and bridges, public-private partnerships, and new vehicle fees.

Transportation efforts would receive a fixed but unspecified portion of any future state surpluses, and a significant share of the state’s annual capital outlay budget.

The resolution also calls for dedicating a portion of transportation revenues to ports, airports, public transit, and parish roads.

Downs said the resolution would provide the opportunity for transportation funding to be a factor in legislative races.

“People running for election and re-election this fall can go test the water and see if the public will buy into it,” he said. “Then we can all move forward together.”

Ways and Means chairman Hunter Greene, R-Baton Rouge, said the transportation-funding plan needs the support of Gov. Bobby Jindal.

“This must be a joint effort by the governor and the Legislature,” Greene said. “I don’t think the Legislature is going to jump out and advocate any revenue raisers unless there is an ­agreement.”

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Transportation industry Louisiana
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