Norris Seeks Restoration of Funding for State's Infrastructure Needs
 
Opposes Road Fund Raid and Says loss of $50 million per month for .50 cents a day is too much give for too little get.

 September 12, 2005

Addressing the 75th Anniversary convention of the Tennessee Trucking Association today, State Senator Mark Norris (R-Collierville) called upon Governor Bredesen to refrain from imposing a 30 day moratorium on the state gas tax which would further deplete dedicated funds for necessary infrastructure improvements. 

"By my calculation, such a move might save the average Tennessean a paltry 50 cents per day. But it would further deplete the road fund by another $50 million in one month. The governor has already raided the fund by $55 million this year alone. A moratorium would push our shortfall well over $100 million this year," according to Norris. He called recent efforts to suspend the state gas tax "politically penny-wise but pound foolish." 

Norris, who chairs the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee, called for restoration of full funding. Citing a recent study reporting that Tennessee is falling behind in funding essential needs in schools, transportation and utilities, Norris said that more than $200 million of funds which were to have been dedicated to transportation have been diverted to other needs and need to be replaced. 

"Reducing the sales tax across the board makes more sense than tinkering with the transportation tax. Reducing the sales tax would provide real relief," says Norris. 

Norris also called for review of Tennessee's emergency preparedness. He questioned whether a plan the General Assembly legislated several years ago has ever been properly implemented and said he will call hearings to assure compliance. "Otherwise, a plan such as this is no plan at all," said Norris.