Both sides had been poised to negotiate the provisions of the bill at conference committee meetings this weekend. However, negotiations between Gunn (the Lt. Governor) broke down before these meetings took place. Tate Reeves. Gunn explained that the specific issue was a clause in the bill that required cities and counties to match dollar-for-dollar any state funding for road and bridge repairs. Gunn stated to Mississippi Today that no bill is better than a poor bill on Friday afternoon. We believe that our proposal without the match requirement resulted in real money to the cities or counties. We didn’t think the match idea proposed by Senate would lead to real dollars. “We walked down into his (Reeves) office and said, “We’re not going do what you want. It’s impossible, it’s absurd, and it doesn’t solve the need,” said Trey Lamar (Republican from Senatobia), who was involved in the House version. Gunn confirmed that the bill was dead shortly after he informed House Republicans during a lunch meeting on Friday of the breakdown. Reeves was having a discussion about the bill with a group reporters on Friday afternoon, when Mississippi Today informed Reeves that Gunn had already told his Republican colleagues the bill was dead. Reeves replied, “Ok, well. There you have it,” Gunn approached the group and then admitted to disagreement about the local match requirement. “The issue, which he (Gunn), and I have discussed many times, is regarding the provision in Senate bill that would have required local government to match any state funds. “We have not been in a position to agree on that.” Reeves said, “I think there is general agreement. It’s just a matter how to get it done.” The good news is that everyone agrees that more money must be invested in infrastructure. This could not be said three years ago.” Saturday’s deadline for lawmakers to pass conference reports on revenue bills is at 8 p.m. Gunn indicated that he was open to negotiations if Senate leaders lifted the requirement that local governments receive state funding. Reeves announced in February what he called a $1Billion proposal, the “BRIDGE Act.” This announcement was made after the House had approved its versions of how to fix road and bridge repair. The House approved an amended version last week of the Senate bill. This included removing key provisions and adding sections that mirror the earlier pieces Gunn had sponsored. In negotiations this week, House leaders pointed to the passage of House Bill 722 in the second week. It would have given 35 percent of the state’s use tax collection, which amounts to about $100 million per year, to local governments and counties for infrastructure spending. Gunn and other House leaders said Friday that Reeves’ provision requiring cities and counties to match state funding would cause municipal budgets to be cut, resulting in either tax increases or reductions. Lamar stated that a candidate for statewide office would claim he has a road plan and won’t raise taxes. “Well, I’m not going be able to fall asleep at night because that’s what I’ll find out.” Lamar said that if the state forced the counties and cities to comply, they could cut firemen and policemen. But that’s neither feasible nor practical. “They have real problems and we want to address them in a real manner that doesn’t force them raise taxes,” Lamar said. The “BRIDGE Act”, which was to be submitted to conference committee on Saturday, would see small groups of leaders representing each chamber negotiate a final version. The bill was viewed by many Capitol officials, including top legislative leaders, as one of the most important pieces proposed this session. Reeves’ bill required $600 million in revenue over five year to fund a new infrastructure fund. The fund would be established by putting aside 2 percent of anticipated revenues for each fiscal year. The House changed the bill last week to allow infrastructure to be diverted only 1% of the anticipated revenues. Rep. Charles Busby (R-Pascagoula), House Transportation Chairman, said that diverting all 21% of the set aside money was “a little fiscally reckless.” $200 million would also flow into an Emergency Bridge Repair Fund. It would be controlled by Governor Reeves and the fund’s advisory panel, made up of leaders from non-governmental special interests groups that lobby for clients and give to candidates’ campaigns. House leaders had removed that provision from their bill.