State senators in their first look at the transportation spending bill raised questions about the $1 billion in additional revenue sought, and called for a closer accounting of projects for which the money would be spent.
“A billion dollars, that’s a lot of money,” Sen. Lindsey Tippins, R-Marietta, told House Transportation Committee Chairman Jay Roberts, R-Ocilla, who presented his House Bill 170 to the Senate Transportation Committee Thursday.
Tippins said that the legislation should include a breakdown of how much would be spent on interstate and other federal highways, and state and local roads. While Tippins said he realizes a project by project listing would impractical, “I’d welcome at least being able to see what the general direction is, being able to explain the need so people can be able to understand.”
Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Tommie Williams, R-Lyons, added, “I think that’s everybody’s concern. If we had that much money, what would we do with it?” He told Tippins that the DOT’s long-term spending plan gives some answers.
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