SB 457 by Sen. Stine and SB 445 by Sen. Abraham are scheduled for Senate Transportation, Highways, and Public Works this week. As an industry of truckers and other industry personnel, we implore you to support these bills.
With all the controversy around the LA DOTD's plans for implementing the public-private partnership for the Calcasieu River bridge and tolling on the project, we think these bills retain all avenues for funding infrastructure but adds transparency and more guidelines to the processes.
The transportation industry is adamantly opposed to this suggested public-private partnership, and we feel that we have a target on our backs from the tolling that's unevenly implemented. The legislature needs more oversight in the public-private partnerships' bidding and planning process. At the same time, the public deserves transparency and understanding of the options for funding the roads they use.
We ask you to support SB 457 by Sen. Stine and SB 445 by Sen. Abraham for these reasons.