Highway funding showdown not expected this session Interested parties from across the state offered more than 30 suggestions for collecting more money to support highway-building and maintenance in Nebraska. The suggestions came from listening sessions hosted at multiple locations by the Nebraska Legislature’s Transportation and Telecommunications Committee during the summer and fall of 2009, part of a larger interim study on how to secure the funds to keep up with highway construction needs. Committee Chair Senator Deb Fischer is working on a proposal based on the the study findings. However, a short legislative session won’t allow the time necessary for thoughtful discussion of alternative funding mechanisms, so look to 2011 for significant legislation proposed to address Nebraska highway funding needs. For a copy of the full study report, click here. Here’s the gist of it, Twitter-style: “Less fuel used = less tax collected + all options require tax or fee increase or shift in state resources. Pick your poison.”               return