Debate on Road Bill ties up Senate

Thursday, the Senate will begin its 4th day of debate on a road construction bill that proposes to spend $100 million a year for 10 years in addition to the regular road program and any federal stimulus plans.  The billion dollars for this extra road program would come from the state’s savings account which is the Alabama Trust Fund.

Proponents say this bill will create either 3500 jobs or 30,000 jobs (depending on who is citing the numbers) but have failed to cite any study supporting either number.

Opponents contend this is a “pork” bill that is designed to reward political allies who make big contributions and that this raid on the savings account is more democrat runaway spending.  Opponents point to the wide discrepancy in the estimates of the number of jobs the bill will create and are quick to point out the parallels between these estimates and the unfulfilled promises of job creation made by the Obama Administration in selling their “stimulus” package in Washington, D.C.

Industry supporters have long held they aren’t about partisan politics; rather, they strongly believe this issue is good for the state.  I believe their bill has become a victim of partisanship.

Therefore, I have suggested to the Alabama Roadbuilders and to the other business associations that are supporting this bill that they ask the bill to be pulled off the floor until a bi-partisan solution can be achieved.  I firmly believe a bi-partisan approach in Montgomery is necessary if the industry hopes to get a majority of voters to approve this issue in November.

If this logjam is removed, the Senate would be free to introduce bills, to have committees report, and to work on other important issues.  As the sponsor is also the Senate Rules Chairman, (if the bill was carried over) there is no doubt an improved bill would be able to get back before the Senate in a timely fashion for debate and passage.

The current logjam in the Senate could be easily resolved if the sponsor will agree to putting together a compromise bill off the Senate floor. Such an action would help the bill both in Montgomery and at the ballot box.

But, maybe there’s another agenda at work here.