Sen. Norris Calls For Restoring $43.8 Million To Road Fund

Chattanoogan.com
April 25, 2006

Sen. Mark Norris (R-Collierville), Chairman of the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee, defended a Committee budget amendment today restoring the road fund in letters to the Tennessee Business Roundtable and Gov. Phil Bredesen.

In an address to the group last week, Gov. Bredesen said the committee had “tacked on another $44 million” without “any plan for where the money is to come from.” In his letter, Sen. Norris references a “material misrepresentation” in the governor’s speech.

Sen. Norris said, “The governor describes the restoration as ‘money we don’t have’ which is misleading. This money accrues to the state with every gallon of gas sold. It’s money he has collected, but he chooses to spend it elsewhere. I wonder if Tennesseans know they are pumping gas for Pre-K every time they fill up?”

Sen. Norris said levying a tax for one purpose but using it for another as "irresponsible."

He said, “If the governor needs new revenue for new programs, then he should make that case to the taxpaying public and not divert funds from their intended purpose. If the Administration has determined that the tax is no longer necessary for transportation, then the governor should reduce the state gasoline tax.”

Tennessee’s gasoline tax was established in 1923 under Gov. Austin Peay’s administration to support transportation. Sen. Norris said Tennesseans are paying record-high prices for gasoline while 21.4 cents per gallon is supposed to be dedicated to Tennessee transportation needs.

He said the committee’s bi-partisan decision to amend TDOT’s budget requires the administration "to utilize the gasoline tax in the manner for which it was assessed."

Sen. Norris also hit "the continued taking of dedicated road funds."

He said, “The governor began taking funds when he came into office and the state was in a pinch. His desire to continue funding programs unrelated to transportation is, in effect, an unwarranted tax.”

Gov. Bredesen also announced during his speech last week he would veto any legislative effort to restore the road fund.

Citing a recent study reporting that Tennessee is falling behind in funding essential needs in schools, transportation and utilities, Sen. Norris said approximately $217 million dedicated to transportation has been diverted for other purposes.

In addition, the federal government recently rescinded more than $76 million without notice leaving a shortfall for scheduled projects which are now in jeopardy, he said.

“The Bredesen Administration is robbing Peter to pay Paul,” Sen. Norris said. “As the price of gas nears $3 a gallon, I think the public would be shocked to know they are paying at the pump for new entitlement programs wholly unrelated to transportation.”