JACKSON, Miss. – As of now, there is no funding for Mississippi roads. Monday the Mississippi House killed a bill, voting 121-1, that would have appropriated $927 million Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT).
According to the Clarion Ledger, the House was not happy with the appropriations bill sent over by the Senate, after the House originally suggested $905 million for the bill. House leader’s complaints about the bill included a $10 million dollar “pet project” for upgrading Lakeland Drive/Mississippi 25, which they noted was close to Lt. Governor Tate Reeves’ home.
Reeves said House leaders signed off on several conference reports before killing the appropriations bill at the last minute. Reeves also said projects in the Senate budget had already been requested by MDOT.
Monday was the deadline to pass approbations for next year, so it is likely the Mississippi legislature will need to have a special session in order to fund MDOT. Otherwise, the House and Senate would both need a 2/3 vote to revive the bill to fund the department before this year’s session ends.
