HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 97


(By Delegate Boggs, Butcher, Stephens, Paxton, Barker, R. Thompson, Ennis, Miley, Wells, Susman, Leggett, Roberts, Rowan, Evans and Tansill )

(Originating in the Committee on Roads and Transportation)

[Introduced March 8, 2006]



Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the feasibility of establishing a program to provide for the funding and construction of new roads and highways and the improvement of existing roads and highways in rural counties experiencing lower per capita income or a high rate of unemployment and to provide incentives to private business to develop and expand into such counties and to participate in the improvement or construction of roads as a part of their development and expansion.

Whereas, Many rural counties in West Virginia lack adequate roads and highways which would be conducive to private business to locate, develop or expand in the county; and
Whereas, Several proposed highway construction projects to provide for the construction, modernization and improvement of highways in several rural counties in the state already exist and have been proposed, but have not commenced or have had only limited progress due to a lack of state funds necessary to complete the projects, including, but not limited to, proposed projects of various local parkway authorities and other projects proposed by the division of highways ; and
Whereas, Many rural counties lack the tax base and source of public funding available from county or local government entities to serve as a source of funding for such road projects; and
W HEREAS , Should these roads and highways be improved, businesses would not only increase, but also provide areas with an increased tax base for future funding of road improvements; and
Whereas, In order to provide adequate funding for roads which are necessary to future economic development in these rural counties, new and innovative sources of funding must be created and developed; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the feasibility of establishing a program to provide for the funding and construction of new roads and highways and the improvement of existing roads and highways in rural counties experiencing lower per capita income or a high rate of unemployment and to provide incentives to private business to develop and expand into such counties and to participate in the improvement or construction of roads as a part of their development and expansion ; and, be it
Further Resolved, The Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Legislature, on the first day of the regular session, two thousand seven, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations together with drafts of any legislation to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.