TALENT'S HIGHWAY PLAN WOULD REQUIRE REPUBLICAN CONTROL OF LEGISLATURE

One year after he first proposed it, Republican Jim Talent is still touting his proposal to revive the state's once celebrated but now defunct 1992 highway construction plan by selling $1 billion in bonds over 12 years.

Talent's highway funding idea, a cornerstone of his campaign for governor, is certainly ambitious and spawned a less extensive Democratic copy during this year's legislative session. However, it could be difficult to pull off.

Taking their cue from Talent, Democrats in the General Assembly, with strong bipartisan support, passed into law their own version, which calls for the sale of $2.25 million in bonds over the next six years. However, it doesn't address how the bonds will be repaid.

Talent has a plan to pay for his bonds, but it relies on the willingness of the Legislature to redirect 1 percent ($170 million) of the $17 billion state budget.

Democrats currently hold slim majorities in both chambers of the Legislature, a situation that could change in November. Without strong Republican majorities, it could be impossible to come up with the needed revenue.

Seeing Talent vision become a reality will rely not only on voters putting him in the Governor's Mansion, but wresting control of the General Assembly from Democrats.