From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

 MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

 MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
Help  

Democrats are Against Republican Proposal for Transportation Commission

January 18, 2000
By: Renny MacKay
State Capital Bureau

Road rage has caught up with House Republicans. They're looking to do away with the current highways and transportation commission.

Renny MacKay has more from Jefferson City.

Story:MacKay
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

The Republicans say they want a change in the state constitution that would put an end to the current commission.

They're proposing that a single person manage MODOT.

The Democrats say there is no problem with the current commission.

Democrat Don Koller is Chair of the House Committee on Transportation.

Actuality:Koller
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents: He says the change would just put politics back into the commission and that the proposal is a complete about face by the Republicans.

The issue here isn't about fixing the hiways of Missouri according to Koller. He says the proposal is simply an election year ploy.

From the State Capitol I'm Renny MacKay.

If the House Republicans have their way the end of the road may be near for the current highways and transportation commission.

The Democrats say that the commission is just fine.

From Jefferson City Renny MacKay has more.

Story:MacKay
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Both parties are admitting there is room for imporvement of the highways in Missouri. But, they differ on the means to achieve those improvements.

Democrat Don Koller is chair of the House committee on transportation.

Actuality:Koller
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents: He says that politics should be kept out of the commission.

What about the claim that the commission should be accountable?

Actuality:Koller3
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents: Koller agrees the commission needs to be accountable and says they're giving their best effort to be accountable.

Accountability isn't the concern for Democrats. They say the situation is already improving.

From the State Capitol I'm Renny MacKay.

Missouri roads are deteriorating and House Republicans say the transportation commission is responsible.

A democrat lawmaker says there is a different cause to the problem.

From Jefferson City, Renny MacKay has more.

Story:MacKay
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

The House Republicans are proposing to do away with the current commission and make a new commission accountable to the governor and the people of Missouri.

Senate Transportation Committee Chair Danny Staples says the commission isn't the problem.

Actuality:Staples3
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents: He says the money isn't there and that is the problem.

Staples says that without deciding where to get more money the commission should stay in place. He says higher gas taxes or a toll highway are possible solutions, but that the people should approve either plan.

From the State Capitol I'm Renny MacKay.