Norris, Bredesen differ over transportation funding

By Greg Little, Managing Editor Covington Leader Online
May 2, 2006

A feud appears to be escalating between Gov. Phil Bredesen and Sen. Mark Norris.

Norris, R-Collierville and chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, fired back at the governor last week after remarks Bredesen made during a speech in Nashville.

“We are in a pinch when it comes to transportation funding,” said Norris.

At issue is the diversion of state gasoline tax funds into the state’s general fund.

Norris said “to be fair,” the Legislature has approved diversion of the funds the past few years when the state was in a fiscal bind.

However, Norris said “this year we are well ahead in the budget.”

He said March collections were $33.5 million above the estimate and for the year, the state is $108 million above its projections.

But Norris said transportation funding is not running ahead and he believes the money being diverted from the gas tax to education funding should be restored.

Norris emphasized the transportation committee voted 7-1 to recommend restoration of the funds.

“That’s a bi-partisan vote if there ever has been one,” said Norris.

In his speech, Bredesen told members of the Tennessee Business Roundtable the committee was asking for more funds.

“The net effect is they tacked on another $44 million to a budget that’s already tight, and frankly without any plan for where the money is to come from,” said Bredesen.

“The fiscal irresponsibility of all this is what’s most troubling,” added the governor.

Norris said the state gasoline tax was established in 1923 to support transportation. He agreed the funds needed to be transferred when the state was in fiscal trouble, but said it’s transportation funding which is now in trouble.

Norris said nearly $220 million has been diverted over the past four years for the general fund under Bredesen. The proposed budget would divert gas tax money into expanding the pre-kindergarten program in the state.

“I am not being critical of pre-K,” said Norris. “They started it out last year with lottery proceeds but are now wanting to expand it and pay for it with the gas tax.”

In his speech, Bredesen said the move to restore the funding is “being driven by a select few people who I would have thought would be fiscal conservatives, and certainly ones who would be sensitive to the people in this room.”

Norris said Bredesen is “not shooting straight” with the people.

“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,” said Norris.

“I’d hate to see the actions of a few plunge this state into crisis again,” Bredesen said in his speech, referring to both the transportation fund and a move to restore some TennCare funding.

“The governor said we were voting to add $44 million to the budget,” said Norris. “We’re saying quit taking it out of this account.”

Norris said to complicate matters, the federal government rescinded, without notice, more than $76 million in federal transportation funds which had been appropriated for scheduled projects in Tennessee.

“Transportation is more than roads,” said Norris.

He said one aspect of transportation is the Jobs Access Reverse Commute (JARC) program, which provides people transportation to and from work.

In the last federal appropriation, Norris said Tennessee received $6 million in JARC funding. Under the new bill, Tennessee would receive just $2.5 million, he said.

“If not replaced, many Tennesseans will not be able to get to work and may lose their jobs,” said Norris.

He said the program in Tipton County would be impacted if the funds are not restored.

Norris said he thinks the governor was misleading the public.

“I was just telling him to shoot straight,” said Norris. “If you want $20 million for pre-K or whatever he’s proposing in the budget, say ‘I need new revenues to come up with the new programs.’”

Norris sent letters to the governor and Tennessee Business Roundtable officials expressing his concerns.

The measure passed by the transportation committee now heads to the full Senate Finance Committee.

“All we were doing was to amend the budget the governor brought us,” said Norris. “Maybe there will be a compromise. We just can’t turn a blind eye and a deaf ear when this administration or any executive branch brings a budget.”

Norris added he thinks the governor should “reduce the state gasoline tax” if he “has determined that the tax is no longer necessary for transportation.”

In his speech, the governor threatened to veto any legislation which would restore the road fund.

“The Bredesen Administration is robbing Peter to pay Paul,” said Norris. “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.”