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Members press for disaster relief, water studies and highway safety funding in appropriations hearing
Summary
Lawmakers asked for local disaster relief and infrastructure funding, including reimbursement for response to an industrial explosion, FEMA match for debris removal, a Giles County water study and funds to finish a state route widening cited as a safety need.
Several members used the informational hearing to press for appropriations aimed at disaster recovery and transportation safety.
Representative Barrett told the subcommittee an October plant explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems caused 16 deaths, a protracted emergency response and exhausted county overtime budgets; he asked for $53,100 (split between Humphre and Hickman counties) to refill those expenditures and $625,000 for Lewis County as an estimated local match for FEMA debris removal after Winterstorm Fern.
"That explosion was so large it was felt more than 20 miles away ... 16 people died in that explosion," Barrett said, describing extended EMA, EMS and sheriff's coverage and the need to refill overtime accounts.
Chairman Rudd sought funding to complete a widening project on State Route 99 (Salem Highway) near a rapidly growing school zone outside Murphy'sboro, asking lawmakers to consider approximately $2–5 million to finish turn and merge lanes after T Dot reduced its contribution; he framed the project as a safety priority for several new subdivisions.
"We need two turn lanes on either side of the state route and merge lanes for the school zone... It's a safety issue," Rudd said, asking for assistance to reach the complete project funding.
Representative Alexander and others also requested county water infrastructure studies and fairground improvements in rural counties, including a $500,000 Giles County water study and multiple fairground upgrades and parking projects highlighted by other members. Committee chair reminded members this was an informational hearing and there were no votes taken on the requests.
