Their pleas were ignored. Scott Waller, executive vice-president and Chief Operating Officer for the Mississippi Economic Council, stated that the MEC wanted infrastructure to be on everyone’s mind as the legislative session began. Waller spoke out about the state’s last major highway program. Waller stated, “Look at the Golden Triangle and Tupelo — See the impact that Nissan had on central Mississippi.” “In order to increase that economic opportunity throughout the state, we need a statewide program.” The MEC claimed that infrastructure improvements would help to grow the economy, keep drivers safe, reduce costs for travelers who were inconvenienced by roads, and prevent them from incurring unnecessary expenses. The MEC recommended that MDOT be increased by $375 million. $300 million would go to state roads and bridges, and the rest to local roads. This was based on research from Mississippi State University and University of Southern Mississippi. Waller stated that even though it may cost them a bit now, it will help them save a lot of money in the long-term. The pleas for improvement fell flat. Although proponents of highway funding were able keep alive a skeleton bill that could have been used to secure larger appropriations, it never made it to the floor for a vote. MEC suggested several options for funding additional highway funds. These included a gas tax hike, an additional $10 on the annual licence tag fee, and a general sales taxes increase. Legislative leaders stated that a tax increase was not an option. Chairman of the House Transportation Committee Rep. Charles Busby (R.Pascagoula), said that he supports an increase in MDOT’s budget. Busby stated, “It is absurd to believe that a state agency could operate with the same budget as they were working with in 1987.” The MDOT would be focusing on the maintenance of state roads and bridges in an ideal world, where all funding needs are met. Morgan Miller, MDOT’s public information officer, stated that maintenance and preservation not only makes driving safer but also saves money. The National Center for Pavement Preservation found that maintenance costs can rise to six to fourteen times the cost of road construction if preservation work is done within fifteen years. The state fuel tax is responsible for almost 30 percent of MDOT’s budget. The Four-Lane Highway Program was passed by the legislature in 1987. The legislature restructured infrastructure funding by changing the fuel tax rate to give MDOT 13 cents per gallon gasoline or diesel. Its goal was to construct 1,077 miles (4-lane) highways to support economic growth and meet state needs. This might have been a boon to infrastructure funding in late ’80s but it is now too little and too late. Asphalt pavement cost $26.80 per tonne in 1987, when the state’s fuel tax was last adjusted. The state spent $86.23 on asphalt in 2015. This is a 223 percent increase over the previous 28 years. Even worse, Mississippi’s temporary low gas prices and the rise of fuel-efficient cars has resulted in less revenue from Mississippi fuel purchases. Busby and Rep. Trey Lamar, (R-Lafayette Tate), proposed a tax reform package at the session. Many of the new legislators had already pledged to vote against any new taxes. Busby stated that with much of the House’s committee leadership changing hands, he didn’t have enough time to get the infrastructure funding traction it needed. “We must do what is fiscally prudent. Busby stated that our infrastructure is a core responsibility for our government. “How can we leave here without having funded something that all of us agree is a core responsibility for government?” Busby said that he was working on a comprehensive tax reform plan that will fund the state’s infrastructure system. Busby stated that the longer we let our infrastructure degrade, the more costly it will become in the end. We will be stuck in a hole if we don’t take action.” To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today. Our reporters give a human face to policy’s impact on everyday Mississippians by listening more closely and understanding their communities. To ensure that our work is aligned with the priorities and needs of Mississippians, we are listening to you. Click the button below to let us know what you think. Republish this Story