Republicans push plan for fixing bridges
DENVER · Capitol Republicans are promising a bill within the first few weeks of the 2009 legislative session that would raise between $500 million and $1 billion this year to fix 127 "structurally deficient" bridges throughout the state.
The plan hinges on essentially mortgaging out a number of public buildings to private investors, and the debt would be paid off over the next 10 to 15 years, Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, R-Fruita said Tuesday. Ideally, the bill would be passed quickly, Penry said, allowing the state to proceed within three to five months on fixing deficient bridges.
"This is sort of our opening ante," Penry said, expressing optimism that Democrats will come on board with the GOP plan. "It doesn't solve the transportation funding dilemma in its entirety, but it takes the most important bite of the apple, which is fixing those most unsafe bridges."
Penry said such an approach is "tried and true," and has been used throughout the state to help fund construction projects ranging from college campuses to prisons. Republicans did not say which buildings could be used as collateral.
Even if the plan is approved by the Legislature, however, it would primarily serve as a stopgap, since the cash influx would be a one-time deal and not an annual revenue stream.
Last year, Gov. Bill Ritter's blue ribbon transportation commission released a report estimating that Colorado needs a minimum of $500 million each year to maintain the state's roads and bridges, and upward of $2 billion a year for improvements. The panel suggested a range of options for increasing revenues, including increasing the state gas tax, currently 22 cents per gallon.
What the plan would do, said House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, is address the most pressing transportation needs and keep the state's bridges safe. A long-term solution, he said, should also be examined this year.
"Everything is on the table," May insisted, but added, "We should explore all of our other options before we should reach into the pockets of Colorado citizens who are already feeling the pinch of this economy."
Democrats were quick to point out that the Republicans lacks an end game - how to buy back the buildings.
"What we're being asked again is to double down and basically take a sub-prime mortgage without any new revenue," said Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver.
How to raise additional revenue, however, is still unclear. One possibility is the return of a failed proposal from last year that would raise automobile registration fees. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Joe Rice, D-Littleton, said he still doesn't think a small hike for some vehicle owners is unreasonable.
He also pointed out that the gas tax has remained stagnant for the past 17 years, saying a small increase could go a long way toward helping solve the state's transportation funding problem.
Penry said the Republican proposal should also be considered in light of the projected budget shortfall for the current fiscal year, which could be as much as $600 million. Transportation and higher education have traditionally been easy targets for legislators looking to make cuts in the past, and many fear similar cuts will be made this year. That means the state's roads and bridges could deteriorate further.
Ritter has also made a formal request for $1.4 billion in federal funds for transportation projects, but Penry said it would be "foolish" for the Legislature to "wait, hat in hand," for such a bailout.
Also Tuesday morning, May announced the formation of a special GOP task force to examine the issue of the budget shortfall, and to make recommendations for policy changes and possible cuts. Members include Reps. Kent Lambert, R-Colorado Springs, Don Marostica, R-Loveland, Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, and Ellen Roberts, R-Durango. Penry said he will appoint a similar group of Republican senators to tackle the same problem.
Contact the writer: 303-837-0697 or john.schroyer@gazette.com
