Lawmakers look at road funds

Ben Kieckhefer

Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003 | 10:33 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- State lawmakers on Monday began examining Gov. Kenny Guinn's $1.3 billion plan to improve Nevada roads and highways over the next two years.

The plan includes $325 million in bonding authority to help fund the projects, with the rest of the money coming from federal sources and from fuel taxes and vehicle fees that go into the state highway fund. No general fund money goes to roadwork.

Transportation Director Tom Stephens also said the state Transportation Board supports legislation to lower the state's legal blood-alcohol level to 0.08. Without that change, the state could lose up to $29 million in federal highway funds over the next five years.

The 20-year bonds would fund such projects as the Carson City bypass, work on U.S. 95 in northwest Las Vegas and widening Interstate 15 from Primm to Las Vegas. The bond sales are subject to approval by the Transportation Board, chaired by the governor.

Stephens said the bond obligation wouldn't inhibit construction projects in upcoming years, but added state tax structures that feed into the highway fund are outdated.

Building in automatic gasoline tax increases to reflect inflation and increasing driver's license fees would improve his agency's overall funding structure, he said.

"Twenty-two dollars for a four-year driver's license is a very modest amount of money," Stephens said. "A fishing license is $20 a year, but you can get a four-year driver's license for $22 ... I can't get a half-day ski ticket for $22."

The projects targeted for the bonding money are needed and will create 10,000 jobs during the construction, according to Stephens. He said that because of the economy, most states are cutting back on construction and contractors are eager to bid on Nevada projects.

"There's no better time to borrow money than right now," Stephens said. "And we have the projects ready to go."

Guinn's budget proposal also includes funding for 42 new positions, which Stephens said are mainly for maintenance personnel. Those new employees will cost the state nearly $5 million over the two-year budget cycle.