NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Armed with a new $5.3 billion wish list for statewide road projects, Gov. Bill Haslam is embarking on another statewide tour to try to jumpstart support among deeply skeptical lawmakers for boosting transportation funding in Tennessee.
The new list was compiled with input from lawmakers and local officials during a previous tour by the governor this summer to highlight the current $6.1 billion backlog of projects already approved by the Legislature.
Haslam has yet to make any specific revenue proposals, but most lawmakers expect that they will include raising the state’s gas tax for the first time since 1989.
Most Republican legislative leaders have voiced opposition to a gas tax hike next year – with the notable exception of Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, who supports the governor’s efforts.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.