There are more prominent bills, but if a vote were taken on the most popular legislation filed this session, the hands-down winner would be House Bill 783, which will generate $325 million for long-underfunded rural roads over the next three years. “This is one of the best things I’ve heard in the five years I’ve been here,” said Rep. Jack Montoucet, D-Scott. Because of limited funding, the state has given priority to roads eligible for federal matching funds, which left out most rural roads. Currently, those roads only get about $50 million per year from dedicated fees from truck and commercial vehicle registration. The bill would authorize bonding out half of that revenue stream over 20 years to fund projects in every parish except Orleans, which has no nonfederal aid state routes. It is a similar approach used in East Baton Rouge Parish’s Green Light Plan. But lawmakers pressed Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Sherri LeBas today for its list of selected roads. “I ride my district all the time,” said Montoucet. “If we can get a list, we would be more comfortable.” Some lawmakers and public interest groups have called for the projects to be spelled out in the bill. LeBas said the nine DOTD districts would use the same priority process as is used on major routes, based on road conditions, traffic count and input from its annual “road show” meetings around the state. Rep. Jim Fannin, D-Jonesboro, said every parish will benefit. “Even folks in Orleans who want all folks to go see them, these roads will help get them there,” he said.
—Just as it cannot raise taxes in an even-numbered year, the Legislature is also barred from granting tax credits or exemptions. But rebates are OK, as legislative leaders interpret the constitution, and Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration moved a package of them through the House Ways & Means Committee today. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret said the bills would make Louisiana more competitive for major projects, including two automotive factories that are expected to locate in a Southern state this year. HB 937 allows a relocation rebate of 25% for construction and leasing costs for companies relocating or expanding headquarters in Louisiana. It would also allow 40% of relocation personnel costs to be factored into the calculations. HB 958, meanwhile, would allow companies invited by the economic development secretary to get back 15% of certain payroll expenses for creation of new jobs. And HB 729 would grant the same favorable tax treatment for manufacturing firms as for some other types of companies relocating to Louisiana or establishing corporate headquarters here. The bills by committee Chairman Joel Robideaux, R-Lafayette, are nearly identical to three that got through Senate committee on Monday.
(John Maginnis will publish a daily update throughout the legislative session on Daily Report PM. The report is also available to LaPolitics Weekly subscribers on the Subscribers Only page at LaPolitics.com. Registration is available on the homepage.)
Louisiana Public Broadcasting is providing a daily video update featuring highlights of the session, which you can see beginning at 6 p.m. here.
