Tennessee has a backlog of $34 billion in road and transportation projects which Democrats blame on the state’s funding model that requires it to only spend money it has on road improvements, versus taking out debt to fully fund the projects.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee Democrats announced a series of legislative proposals Tuesday aimed at improving transportation and roads, including a bill that would end the state’s “pay-as-you-go” funding model for projects and allow it to take out debt to pay for improvements instead.
According to the state’s annual infrastructure audit, Tennessee has a backlog of $34 billion in road and transportation projects which Democrats blame on the Republican supermajority and the state’s funding model that requires it to spend only the money it has on hand on road improvements—versus taking out debt to fully fund the projects.
Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) announced Tuesday plans to sponsor legislation that would end the “pay-as-you-go” funding model, which she said results in taxpayers getting the least new road miles at the highest possible cost.
📧 Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts →
The bill would instead allow Tennessee to take advantage of its good credit by using debt to improve roads, according to Democrats.
“Every time I talk to a voter in my district, two things: grocery tax and roads, and people do not understand why our roads are so bad,” Rep. Behn said. “We have seen our roads deteriorate and I think we’re trying to provide an answer as to why things are so bad and why the Republicans have chosen to privatize our roads rather than using your tax dollars conservatively to pay for our own roads.”
Behn was joined by other Democrats who accused the Republican supermajority of failing to adequately invest in transportation improvements.
“[Republicans] like to brag about our AAA bond rating, and they like to talk about how fiscally responsible we are, but it’s not fiscally responsible to have a pay-as-you-go model that doesn’t take advantage of that,” House Democratic Caucus chair, Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) said. “This isn’t about spending, this is about investing. This is about investing in working Tennesseans and infrastructure that’s necessary to keep up with our growth and continue to allow for our economic growth and prosperity.”
However, House Majority Leader, Rep. William Lamberth argued Republicans have made fiscally responsible investments in Tennessee’s roads, most recently, last year through the Transportation Modernization Act, which included $3.3 billion in funding to prepare roads for the future.
Leader Lamberth issued the following statement to News 2:
“Republicans invested a historic $3.3 billion last year with the Transportation Modernization Act to improve infrastructure and address traffic congestion across Tennessee. This fiscally responsible approach, which half of the Democrats in the House opposed, addresses challenges our state faces without increasing our debt and raising taxes. This strategy will keep our state moving forward and ensure we are well-prepared for the future.”
The Transportation Modernization Act of 2023 includes funding for a public-private partnership to create toll lanes, dubbed “choice lanes,” which drivers can pay to use to bypass traffic. Gov. Bill Lee has long supported the bipartisan measure.
“As families and businesses move to Tennessee in record numbers, we need a transportation plan to keep up with the pace,” Gov. Bill Lee said after signing the Transportation Modernization Act in Aug. 2023. “Our strategy will meet our transportation needs across rural and urban communities, without new taxes or debt. I commend the General Assembly for its partnership to prepare Tennessee for continued growth and economic opportunity.”
Democrats called the choice lanes plan an additional tax that won’t be enough to fix Tennessee’s transportation problems.
Democratic lawmakers also announced plans for legislation that would create partnerships between the state and local governments to develop regional mass transit, like light rail.
“You can’t pave your way out of these things. People who study traffic know you can’t increase lanes and get rid of congestion, so we have to stop being reactive and start being proactive about transit,” Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) said. “Tennessee is way behind in investing in meaningful transit. As a matter of fact, Nashville is the second most car-centric city in the country, and by the way, the first most car-centric city in the country is Memphis.”
They hope for bipartisan support during the upcoming legislative session which is set to begin Jan. 2025.