The Louisiana Legislature has
approved a bill that is intended to aid funding efforts for roads and bridges
in the state. The bill has been sent to Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s desk for her
signature.
Sponsored by Rep. William Daniel
IV, R-Baton Rouge, the measure would create a special fund to make up for
funding shortfalls for major transportation projects in the state.
Projects that could be in line for
assistance are the proposed loops around Baton Rouge and Lafayette, as well as
the completion of Interstate 49, The Advocate reported.
The Transportation Mobility Fund
would get money from deposited grants, gifts and donations received by the
state and any other revenues available, whether local, state or federal.
A similar effort offered by Daniel
failed a year ago. It called for tripling the fee Louisiana-based truck drivers
pay each year to license their trucks.
Daniel later withdrew the bill
from consideration citing opposition from the trucking industry. It called for boosting
the registration fee for a typical, 80,000-pound, commercial vehicle to $1,512
per year to register in the state – an increase of more than $1,000.
The latest effort – HB299 – won unanimous support in the House and
Senate.
– By Keith Goble, state legislative editor
keith_goble@landlinemag.com
