The U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed a 1992 ruling that prohibited states from collecting use taxes from online retailers without a physical presence in the state. Gov. Phil Bryant suggested in May that he might call an extra session to discuss the matter if the ruling is overturned. Leaders from Mississippi’s municipal governments say these funds are crucial. Mississippi Today spoke to several mayors at the annual conference of the Mississippi Municipal League in Biloxi. Many expressed disappointment at the inability of the Legislature to present a plan for fixing roads and bridges after the previous sessions. They also said that they would be grateful for any additional funds if the Legislature used additional tax funds. Lt. Governor. Lt. Gov. Philip Gunn and Tate Reeves fought over a bond bill which would have provided funding for infrastructure. However, neither side could agree on the details and it was killed. The House passed several road bills in the early part of the session, but none made it to the Senate. Reeves presented his solution in February. It was a 300-page plan for infrastructure funding, the BRIDGE Act. The House and Senate continued to disagree over details, so the plan was rejected. Gunn slammed the Senate for failing pass House legislation at the end of the session. Reeves responded, “The House usually wants to borrow significantly greater than I am willing and able to pay the taxpayers for.” “That’s not what my election was to do.” Lucedale Mayor Darwin Nelson said that he has one bridge in the town, and it’s in good condition. However, Mississippi Today could use additional funds for water and sewer repairs. He stated that he would support the use tax and said Reeves had let municipalities down in recent years. Nelson stated, “I’m a staunch Republican like he is, but he’s not been friendly to any municipality in recent years.” Mississippi collects a 7.5% sales tax on all retail items, no matter if they are traditional brick-and-mortar or online. Retailers are required to collect the tax from in-store purchases and report it to the state by law. The state will reimburse 18.5 percent of the transaction to the municipality. It also collects property taxes. Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons is also a member of the executive committee of the municipal league. He stated that if the governor calls a special session MML and I will be there as a unit to look for the 35 percent state’s use tax, or $108 million, to be split between the counties and cities for infrastructure repairs. Simmons stated that cities and towns have requested a comprehensive plan from the Legislature, but they have not been able to produce one. Many mayors stated that poor roads are also caused by aging water lines and sewage systems. Repairs to these systems can be costly. Burnsville Mayor David Nixon stated that “most of the stuff that is falling apart that was installed years and years ago, it costs 100 times more to repair today than it cost to fix it back then.” “Just one mile of paving could run you into a million bucks,” said Poplarville Mayor Rossie Creel. Creel stated that he is not against any additional taxes. But, if it happens and my municipality can profit from it, then we will support it. We’ll also gladly accept increased sales tax revenues. Magee Mayor Dale Berry stated that the city spent $250,000 asphalt for repaving but that it only covered four to five roads. He stated that he would support the use of those tax funds for road repair and bridge repair, as Magee, like other cities and towns in the state, needs more money to address its infrastructure problems. Berry stated that while we only have two bridges to be responsible for, we are like everyone else. “We need it badly.”_x000D