6/6/05-The House transportation panel narrowly rejected a bid to alter the state’s constitution to set aside 6 cents of state fuel tax for 26 road and bridge projects. The bill would have given voters the final say.
Lawmakers voted 9-8, with committee chairman Roy Quezaire, D-Donaldsonville, casting the deciding vote, to defer the amendment. The vote effectively kills the effort.
Currently, 4 cents of Louisiana’s 20-cent-a-gallon fuel tax goes for major four-lane highways and bridges.
HB620, sponsored by Rep. Gary Beard, R-Baton Rouge, would have dedicated 10 cents of the tax to go for highway work.