Talks break down over Mississippi transportation spending
Mississippi House and Senate leaders publicly bickered but failed to agree on a transportation spending plan before a Monday night deadline, likely forcing the governor to call lawmakers back for a special session before the budget year begins July 1.
Miss. House leaders mull sales tax increase for roads, bridges
Mississippi legislative leaders are considering raising sales tax rates from 7 percent to 9 percent as part of plan to increase road and bridge funding. But they indicated they might remove the sales tax from groceries.
Under the Capitol Dome: Analysis: Road money lobbying heats up, as outcome unclear
Fights last week in the Mississippi Senate over a transportation spending bill that doesn’t actually do anything yet indicate how intensely people are lobbying for and against more money for roads and bridges.
Miss. senators preserve chance for road funding
Opponents are still heaping scorn on an empty vessel of a transportation funding package, but the bill remained alive Wednesday after the Mississippi Senate passed it 34-13.
Proposal: Use part of Miss. oil spill money for transportation
Part of Mississippi’s oil spill settlement money would be set aside to help pay for transportation improvements statewide, under a proposal that moved through the House but is likely to stall in the Senate.
Transportation candidates face deficit to maintain roads
Here’s the challenge for the five candidates running in Tuesday’s primaries for two seats on Mississippi’s Transportation Commission: Officials say Mississippi needs $400 million more each year to maintain current roads and bridges.
Johnson withdraws from transportation race
The contest for Mississippi’s Northern District transportation commissioner narrowed to three Wednesday after Hernando Mayor Chip Johnson formally dropped out of the race.
Democratic areas win more transportation grants
Applicants from Democratic-held districts won 48 percent of the so-called TIGER grants for road, bridge and rapid transit projects, rail line repairs and port upgrades.
Obama seeking $300 billion for roads, railways investment
President Barack Obama said Wednesday he will ask Congress for $300 billion to update aging roads and railways, arguing that the taxpayer investment is a worthy one that will pay dividends by attracting businesses and helping put people to work.
MSU selected to lead national transportation research
Mississippi State is the lead institution for a $3.5 million federal grant to help fund a center of excellence for transportation research.
Bill to waive taxes for school-bus contractors
The Mississippi Legislature has moved to create a tax exemption for companies like Waters Truck and Tractor who contract with schools for transportation services.
MDOT’s reach goes beyond roads
In thanking the Mississippi Department of Transportation during a Wednesday press conference for recent road funding, Columbus Lowndes Development Link executive director Joe Higgins pointed out that rural Mississippi’s road needs were once “farm-to-market” roads — something good enough for farmers to take their goods to town to sell.