MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Hall, Kirby, Johnson (19th), Horhn, Smith, Ferris

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO TRANSPORTATION MATTERS WITHIN THE HINDS, MADISON AND RANKIN METROPOLITAN AREA, AND SUPPORTING A PROCESS TO HELP FINANCE NEEDED TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 

WHEREAS, the area of Hinds, Madison and Rankin Counties is the major metropolitan region within this state; and

WHEREAS, this three-county area is clearly and uniquely identified by the federal and state departments of transportation as one single organizational unit for transportation planning and funding purposes; and

WHEREAS, this area, under the requirements of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), must adopt and maintain the transportation plan and planning process to the year 2020; and

WHEREAS, this plan and process have clearly identified needs and demands far in excess of traditional funding sources; and

WHEREAS, if this region is to function in an efficient and orderly manner by addressing transportation needs, additional revenue sources must be secured:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we hereby endorse the concept of establishing a Metropolitan Transportation Trust Fund.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this trust fund should be for the specific purpose of implementing a formally-adopted, long-range plan required by the Mississippi Department of Transportation to fully access federal funds earmarked for the Hinds, Madison and Rankin metropolitan region.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this trust fund should be funded by a form of user-based revenue system similar to that which provides revenue for the federal Transportation Trust Fund.