To cope with budget problems, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and lawmakers increased state gas tax dollars spent to support the state police 50% to $69 million.
Money generated by Louisiana's 20-cent-per-gallon gas tax flows into a savings account called the Transportation Trust Fund. More than $570 million generated by the tax, other fees and interest earnings is estimated to be available in the account for the 2014-15 budget year.
The Louisiana Constitution allows up to 20% of the trust fund money to be spent on ports, parish roads, state flood control projects and the state police for "traffic control purposes."?
Before Jindal, spending from the trust fund on state police expenses historically was in the $35 million to $40 million range.
Louisiana has a $12 billion backlog of needed road repairs, highway upgrades and bridge work.
