On the way.

I’m not sure what the argument is in favor of toll roads owned and operated by the state, but the bill passed the House convincingly with 77 votes.

No member from Shelby County opposed the bill:

State Rep. Ron Lollar, who represents several Shelby County suburbs, voted for the bill Monday, as he said most of the county’s representatives did.

Lollar said he voted against the legislation last year when it was approved for two pilot projects.

But he changed his mind upon learning the state had lost more than $200 million in federal road funds in recent years, and municipalities need a way to pay for new, unfunded projects.

Rep. Frank Niceley and 12 others voted no:

“There’s bridges in England that were built by the Romans where they’re still paying tolls,” said Niceley, R-Strawberry Plains. “Once you start paying tolls, you don’t stop paying tolls. They keep them forever.”

Niceley said he’d prefer to see the state withdraw from the federal highway program and keep the gas tax money it currently sends to Washington.

I guess that’s one way to keep the tax base alive in Memphis — tax the people who try to leave.