MoDOT Meets with Legislature

Representatives of the state transportatation department meet with state senators this morning…hoping to convince them to give the department one-quarter billion dollars. The House has approved a two-and-a-quarter-billion dollar bond issue for road and bridge building. The first 250-million dollars would be available immediately. But some senators want the department to tell them what projects will be funded. Sponsor Jim Mathewson of Sedalia says that information can’t be assembled before Friday adjournment. He’s hoping this morning’s meeting between doubting senators and transportation department officials will be convincing enough to get the bill approved without a plan. Before the department can get additional funding next year, it will have to present a plan to the legislature. The legislature has the option of rejecting the plan if enough lawmakers are not pleased enough.