Tennessee Senate passes governor's plan

The Tennessee Senate on Monday green lit a transportation plan backed by Gov. Bill Lee that would funnel more than $3 billion into infrastructure projects in the state.

If the plan is given final passage, each of the Tennessee Department of Transportation's four regions would receive $750 million to cover infrastructure issues.

Though some opponents of the plan have criticized the distribution by region, arguing the equal pots of money should be distributed on a per capita basis to account for higher populations and related congestion issues, the legislation received largely bipartisan votes through the committee process this year.

Senators voted 26-5 for the plan, with a mix of Republicans and Democrats opposed to the measure.

The House version of the bill, HB 321, could be up for its final committee vote on Tuesday, possibly clearing the way for final passage by the end of the month for one of Lee's major 2023 priorities.

The bill institutes new electric vehicles fees to offset lost gas taxes, to be paid with vehicle registrations, that would start at $200 until 2027 and then rise to $274. The statute could adjust the fee to match inflation thereafter.

Lee's plan also calls for "public-private partnership" to establish toll lanes, or what Lee's administration calls "choice lanes," which would be express lanes that charge drivers usage fees. Sen. Becky Massey, R-knoxville, argued the choice lanes are different than toll roads as a driver will have an option to pay for an express lane or drive on an existing lane for free.

"It is similar to TSA Pre-check or Disney Fast Pass where you can decide if you want to do it or not," Massey said. "Fees are never charged in a general purpose lanes and the number of free lanes are never reduced."

Sen. Brent Taylor, R-memphis, said Tennesseans could face a 93-cent gas tax increase to similarly fund road updates without Lee's transportation plan.

"This is a good step forward. We cannot keep having conversations about roads — we have to be innovative," Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-memphis, said in support of the bill. "This is a good first step."

At least two Republicans expressed opposition to partnerships with private companies from foreign countries. Massey said any country on the U.S. sanctions list would not be allowed to contract with TDOT.

"A private firm may enter into a lease agreement with TDOT, but note Tennessee will always own the road," Massey said.