BUDGET GAMESMANSHIP STALLS HIGHWAY PROJECTS

The saying goes that good things come to those who wait. Cape Girardeau is due some good things where its new Mississippi River bridge is concerned. The process for getting funding for this project continues on its halting path, with the most recent development being a setback generated at the federal level. We wonder why.

While head-scratching in the consideration of actions in the nation's capital is an accepted American pastime, the delay in the distribution to Missouri of federal highway money is completely puzzling. According to officials from the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department, the state is entitled to $408 million for the current fiscal year. However, Missouri has received just $345 million of that amount, with Congress holding back $63 million in deference to the budget deficit.

Keep in mind a couple of things. This revenue is generated by federal taxes paid for gasoline purchased in Missouri; that money goes from this state to Washington for distribution. Missouri gets back now and historically only a portion of what it sends to the nation's capital. With this withholding, Missouri now receives only a portion of the portion.

In addition, the money goes into a trust fund earmarked to improve the nation's transportation system, its highways and bridges. Though the quota for surprises never seems to be surpassed in Washington, that money is meant to be off limits for other budgetary purposes. So, if the money is there and projects are ready to proceed, why the hold up?

To be sure, projects are being stalled. No activity now under contract is being halted, but the awarding of contracts for some work on the Cape Girardeau bridge route and the Nash Road extension to the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority facility might have to wait until next year. These projects represent tens of millions of dollars in work, and a construction season could be missed as a result of the withholding.

The ironic part is that the majority party in Congress and the Clinton administration talk the talk of job creators, saying they are intent on using governmental resources to put people to work. Yet, in this instance, the money is in the bank, collected at the gas pump from motorists, ready to put Southeast Missourians to work, and what we get are delays. And as the clock ticks and bid takings are deferred, the price of highway projects escalates. Is budget gamesmanship worth all this?

Patience is a virtue, but Cape Girardeau is being virtuous enough for a dozen cities. There will be a new bridge built over the river here. Nash Road will extend to connect with the port. These things will happen, but in what time frame? We are perplexed by the thinking in Washington that keeps this process from moving forward.