House Committee Delays Haslam's Transportation Bill

NASHVILLE – A split House Transportation Committee slammed the brakes Tuesday on Gov. Bill Haslam’s IMPROVE Act, even though it contains a measure to use the sales tax for transportation funding instead of raising fuel taxes.

The committee voted 9-8 to postpone consideration for one week after several members complained about political “smoke screens,” saying they expect the bill to be changed dramatically once it’s out of their hands.

“I want to know whether we’re going to vote to raise taxes or not,” said Rep. Jerry Sexton, an opponent of Haslam’s proposal.

The governor is seeking to raise the gas tax by 7 cents to 28 cents and the diesel tax by 12 cents to 30 in addition to increasing several other fees to bring in $400 million more annually for the state and local governments to build roads and bridges. The plan is to chip away at $10.5 billion in backlogged and new transportation projects over the next 12 years.

Read more: https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2017/mar/9/house-committee-delays-haslams-transportation-bill/