Missouri House accpets language banning toll road

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1/30/2012: Radio Story - A proposed bill would block MoDOT from implementing tolls.

2/ 6/2012: Radio Story - The introduction of a new bill means the Senate is now involved in the debate over turning I-70 into a toll road.

Intro:	The Transportation Department expressed discouragement after a rejection vote on tolls on Interstate 70.
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Wrap: The Missouri House has voted to keep language in a bill to ban a toll on Interstate 70.

A Public Relations official for the Transportation Department Bob Brendel says he is disappointed with the action.

He says it would be bad if any viable option to help fund infrastructure is taken off the table before it has a chance for debate.

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Description: We think it's good public policy to discuss every option for funding infrastructure in the state of Missouri. But, ultimately MoDOT will follow the direction of the legislature.

Jefferson City Republican Senator Mike Kehoe says he's against the idea of an I-70 toll... but supports it as a conversation starter for funding infrastructure.

Reporting from the state Capitol... I'm Cole Karr.

Intro:	The push for an I-70 toll road takes a hit in the Missouri House, but leaves open another option.
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Wrap: The Missouri House voted to keep a ban on making Interstate 70 a toll road.

Battlefield Republican Representative Thomas Long sponsors the bill.

He says the bill will forbid tolls... but will still leave open the possibility of public-private partnerships... which may hurt the bills chance of a smooth passage.

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Description: That's actually where the bill makes the most changes. And, So, right now we have a few issues to work out in that regard before we bring it up for its final vote. And then we'll see.

Transportation Department official Bob Brendel says improvements could take between 20 and 40 years without a toll... but only 6 to 8 years with public-private partnerships.

Reporting from the state Capitol... I'm Cole Karr.

Intro:	MoDOT's push for an I-70 tollway isn't faring well in the Missouri House.
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Wrap: The House voted down language in a bill to remove a ban on making Interstate 70 a toll road.

Battlefield Republican Representative Thomas Long sponsors the bill.

He says the bill will prohibit tolls... but still allow MoDOT to enter into agreements with private companies to make I-70 improvements.

But... MoDOT Public Relations official Bob Brendel says this wouldn't change anything.

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Description: A public-private partnership without that revenue stream would mean that MoDOT would be making annual payments to the private partner which is not much different than what we'd be doing, you know, if we did it ourselves.

Long says there may be some changes to the public-private partnership aspect of the bill in the future.

Reporting from the state Capitol... I'm Cole Karr.