NEW TRANSPORTATION GROUP BYPASSES HIGHWAY COMMISSION

Gov. Mel Carnahan recently appointed a 35-member group called the Total Transportation Commission of Missouri to assess needs for transportation across our state. Chaired by S. Lee Kling of St. Louis, a member of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission, and co-chaired by Steve Bradford of Hayti, a former commissioner of administration in state government, the commission is holding seven hearings around the state. The TTC met last month in Cape Girardeau, where testimony was taken from representatives of transportation groups, government officials and rank-and-file citizens.

In Cape Girardeau, commission members were met by some rather pointed -- and, we think, entirely valid -- questions from a Sikeston city councilman. Councilman Josh Bill questioned the whole premise of the TTC, correctly noting that the Missouri Constitution vests power over transportation decisions in the Highway and Transportation Commission. Further, Bill noted, historically this constitutional arrangement has served Missouri well by separating road and transportation decisions from the Legislature. For decades, we haven't had Republican roads or Democratic roads but rather a semblance of objectivity that attempts to take into account the needs of the entire state.

All this may well be jeopardized by the TTC, which was created not by any act of the Legislature, but rather by a simple executive order from the governor, who cited no statutory authority. The commission will take testimony from the seven hearings and prepare a report to the governor early next year. Missourians are entitled to ask: To whom are these appointed citizens accountable? Unlike the procedure with members of the Highway and Transportation Commission, no Senate confirmation of these commissioners is envisioned. They will issue a report that will do -- what, exactly? Bypass the Highway and Transportation Commission entirely? Go straight to the governor who appointed them?

Missourians are further entitled to wonder whether the entire scheme is a prelude to another request for more tax increases, another bond proposal like the ill-fated $500 million lead balloon of a few months ago, or some such. There will always be more needs than money to accomplish them. Sorting them out is what we have a highway and transportation commission for. Lawmakers and all state government need to stay within the constitutionally authorized guardrails.