Gov. Bill Haslam’s administration is walking back remarks by the governor’s top deputy indicating a last-minute legislative push for new taxes to fund a revamped road program, reports the Times-Free Press.
“I wouldn’t anticipate that happening,” Haslam press secretary Jennifer Donnals said in an email to the Times Free Press. “The next steps in this conversation are talking with other members about projects in their area.”
Chief of Staff Jim Henry told House Transportation Committee members on Tuesday the state has extensive needs and said, “I just want to hopefully impress upon you the urgency of this.”
“We can wait, we can kick the can down the road, but I think the time for dealing with it is now,” Henry said, according to a video recording of the meeting. “And we’ll try to do that in the next coming weeks, and in a few weeks try to come back to you for something specific that we’ve recommended as far as how we get there, how much it’s going to cost and who’s going to pay for it.”
Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, told reporters later Thursday that while he backs new revenue for transportation, “it’s too late to address” issues like fuel tax increases this session.
Rep. David Alexander, R-Winchester, a House Transportation Committee member was surprised, like other lawmakers, by Henry’s remarks.
“I think they [the administration] may have gotten just a little bit excited,” Alexander said.