The late-session drive to find new state aid for roads and bridges took a major turn yesterday.
The Senate voted to gradually redirect about $375 million per year in sales tax revenue from the sale of cars and trucks to help construct a new bridge across the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, as well as other projects.
The measure, House Bill 514, cleared the Senate 37-0 and now returns to the House, where it faces an uncertain future.
It also raises the stakes on whether the Legislature, after years of failed efforts, can come up with a funding solution for transportation’s $14 billion backlog before adjournment on Thursday at 6 p.m.
