Hundreds of millions of dollars taken from the state’s transportation department over a six-year period probably won’t be put back this year because of lower-than-expected tax revenue, state legislators said.

Several Southeast Tennessee Republican legislators campaigned in 2006 on promises to restore $280 million to the state’s transportation coffers that was taken beginning in 2001 by former Gov. Don Sundquist and later by Gov. Phil Bredesen. The practice stopped last year, officials said.

TDOT spokeswoman Julie Oaks said the reductions totaled $277 million and that all department budgets were cut during that time. The legislature added $15 million from the state’s general fund last year, she said, but she added that “no department expects to see those funds restored, including TDOT.”

Sen. Dewayne Bunch, R-Cleveland, said last week he wants the money restored, but priorities such as education might be on the top of the agenda this legislative session. He said he still worries the governor may take some of the money.

“Once you find your way to the trough once, you’ll fight your way to get back there,” he said. “At this point, though, no further loss is a gain.”

Lydia Lenker, Gov. Bredesen’s spokeswoman, said last week the governor plans to focus on the basics.

“He has proposed a common-sense, no-growth budget that puts our full attention to those things that we need to do well to keep Tennessee moving forward in education, safety, jobs and health,” Ms. Lenker said.

Rep. Jim Cobb, R-Spring City, campaigned on restoring the funds. He said last week that lower-than-expected state tax revenues will make it hard for lawmakers to fight for restoring the funds.

“It’s a whole lot more work to re-energize a dead program than coming up with a new idea,” he said.

Rep. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, also campaigned on restoring TDOT money. He said it doesn’t look like the money is available this year.

“I wish it was,” he said.

But other legislators said they want to see how actual revenues compare to the projections given by the state’s Department of Revenue.

Rep. Eric Watson, R-Cleveland, who is on the House Transportation Committee, said projections could be off.

“Projections weren’t totally correct last year because we had a surplus,” he said. “I think it’s still too early to tell.”

BY THE NUMBERS

$5 billion: Cost to complete all state road projects now in progress

$277 million: Money cut from TDOT budget 2001-06

$171 million: Federal dollars rescinded since 2005

$15 million: Money restored to TDOT last year

Source: Tennessee Department of Transportation

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