JACKSON, MISS– The MS House Democratic Caucus says they have a plan to fix Mississippi’s roads and bridges. The outline of said plan was released Wednesday.
“This plan takes into account the crumbling infrastructure needs identified in the MEC Blueprint Mississippi Transportation Plan and presents a concrete plan to provide the source of funds to meet those needs,” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman David Baria.
Chairman Baria says the House Transportation Committee doesn’t have a plan and that while the Senate passed a bill, it lacks substance because it refers to the state’s entire tax code.
“As the former Chairman of the House Transportation Committee I am well aware of the state’s crumbling infrastructure and believe that it is irresponsible for the legislature to continue to ignore the problem,” said Rep. Robert Johnson (D, Adams). “The House Democrats’ plan specifically addresses both the critical infrastructure needs and a proposal to raise the money to fund repairs” Johnson said. The House Democrats’ plan will fund infrastructure repairs primarily by rolling back corporate tax cuts doled out over the past 5 years with additional funding derived through an increase of 1% in the budget set aside known as the Budget Contingency Fund, which is currently 2%. “The total amount raised by this plan is approximately $400 million—more than the $375 million needed under the MEC Blueprint Mississippi Transportation Plan,” added Chairman Baria.
Chairman Baria outlined the plan to Mississippi Today, and says their plan could raise over $400 million dollars for the state’s infrastructure by increasing the rainy day fund formula from 2 percent of the budget to 3 percent.
House dems hope this plan could be accomplished without raising the gas tax.
