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NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Church Feb. 14, 2008 PEARCE SPONSORS LEGISLATION JEFFERSON CITY—State Representative David Pearce, R-Warrensburg (District 121), is sponsoring HB1937, which will change the law concerning transportation development districts. Transportation development districts are set up to fund, plan and construct transportation/infrastructure projects including but not limited to roads, bridges, traffic signal lights or signage, rest areas and railroads. These districts provide the flexibility necessary to overcome the difficult political, legal and financial challenges associated with transforming property from underutilized to economically prosperous. Co-sponsors on the measure include Reps. Barney Fisher, R-Richards; Brian Baker, R- Belton; Kevin Wilson, R-Neosho; Shannon Cooper, R-Clinton , Luke Scavuzzo, D- Harrisonville; Steve Hunter, R-Joplin; Edgar Emery, R-Lamar; Ron Richard, R-Joplin; Michael Brown, D-Kansas City; Bryan Stevenson, R-Webb City; Kate Meiners, D-Kansas City; and Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin. Rep. Pearce’s bill corrects a problem in current law that allows separate votes to first establish and then fund the districts. This leaves open the possibility that a transportation district could be created and then left unfunded. Rep. Pearce’s bill will make it a requirement that one vote is held to both establish and fund a district. “This is an important measure because it gives local communities the ability to determine their own destiny in regards to important transportation issues and ensures that transportation projects are handled in a fiscally responsible manner,” Rep. Pearce said. “This bill is essential if the voters of western Missouri are going to turn U.S. 71 into an interstate highway,” said Woody Cozad, spokesman for the Missouri I-49 Coalition, which is working to transform Highway 71 into a major north-south artery across the United States. Rep. Pearce (R-Warrensburg) is serving his third term in the House of Representatives. He plans to seek election in the 31st Senatorial District, which includes Cass, Bates, Vernon and Johnson counties in western Missouri.
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