Louisiana House Bill HR178

Louisiana 2016 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/23/16
• Refer: 5/24/16
• Report Pass: 5/31/16
• Passed: 6/5/16

Caption

Urges and requests the Department of Transportation and Development to evaluate and report on the feasibility of tolling highways and bridges in Louisiana

Impact

If enacted, this resolution would not create new laws but rather prompt an assessment that could lead to significant changes in how transportation infrastructure is funded in Louisiana. The investigation into tolling could explore methods for local governments to generate revenue independently, potentially easing reliance on state funds. Additionally, implementing local option motor fuel taxes would enable more localized financial flexibility for road projects, addressing specific community needs effectively.

Summary

House Resolution 178 urges the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to evaluate the feasibility of implementing tolls on highways and bridges across the state. The resolution arises from financial constraints surrounding the maintenance and construction of critical transportation infrastructure, which has led state officials to explore alternative funding sources like tolls and local option motor fuel taxes. The resolution emphasizes the need for a detailed report that assesses past tolling operations and identifies best practices to avoid problems experienced in previous tolling instances.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment around HR178 appears to be cautiously optimistic among proponents who view tolls as a necessary tool for generating revenue in times of budgetary constraints. However, there could be underlying concerns pertaining to public acceptance of tolling as a funding mechanism. Some critics may argue that imposing tolls could disproportionately affect lower-income residents who rely heavily on these highways and bridges.

Contention

The most notable point of contention surrounding HR178 revolves around the equity implications of tolling highways and roads. Critics express concern that tolls may serve as a burden for regular commuters and those in lower socioeconomic brackets. Furthermore, while the resolution suggests utilizing lessons learned from past tolling experiences, there could be skepticism about the assurance that all toll revenues would be utilized strictly for the intended transportation infrastructure improvements, which remains a crucial area for scrutiny.