February 1, 2010
GOVERNOR BARBOUR URGES PASSAGE OF SB 2928
Bill will improve public safety, put more troopers on roads
Governor Haley Barbour today urged legislators to boost the number of troopers patrolling state roads and streamline the enforcement of traffic and federal transportation laws by passing Senate Bill 2928.
The bill, which is pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee, would increase by 10 percent the number of state troopers enforcing traffic laws on our highways. The bill would shift law enforcement housed in the Mississippi Department of Transportation to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
"State troopers and MDOT law enforcement share similar duties, and this duplication of services is absolutely unnecessary," Governor Barbour said. "Combining our law enforcement under one roof improves operating efficiencies and gets more patrolmen on the roads. I ask the Legislature to put public safety first and support this bill."
Currently, enforcement of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act is split between DPS and the Department of Transportation. Merging departments that perform the same tasks will streamline all motor carrier safety operations.
Today, 40 highway patrol officers enforce the motor carrier safety laws for DPS. This bill will enable those troopers to resume their regular highway patrol duties while MDOT’s certified officers lead the enforcement of motor carrier safety laws at DPS.
"This bill enables the state to put more troopers on the road at a time when we cannot afford more training schools," Governor Barbour said. "If the Legislature fails to pass Senate Bill 2928, the highway patrol force will not be increased as it needs to be, and Mississippi will continue to administer the Federal Motor Carrier Act in a wasteful manner. I urge the Legislature, and specifically, the Senate, to pass this important bill."
Bill will improve public safety, put more troopers on roads
Governor Haley Barbour today urged legislators to boost the number of troopers patrolling state roads and streamline the enforcement of traffic and federal transportation laws by passing Senate Bill 2928.
The bill, which is pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee, would increase by 10 percent the number of state troopers enforcing traffic laws on our highways. The bill would shift law enforcement housed in the Mississippi Department of Transportation to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
"State troopers and MDOT law enforcement share similar duties, and this duplication of services is absolutely unnecessary," Governor Barbour said. "Combining our law enforcement under one roof improves operating efficiencies and gets more patrolmen on the roads. I ask the Legislature to put public safety first and support this bill."
Currently, enforcement of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act is split between DPS and the Department of Transportation. Merging departments that perform the same tasks will streamline all motor carrier safety operations.
Today, 40 highway patrol officers enforce the motor carrier safety laws for DPS. This bill will enable those troopers to resume their regular highway patrol duties while MDOT’s certified officers lead the enforcement of motor carrier safety laws at DPS.
"This bill enables the state to put more troopers on the road at a time when we cannot afford more training schools," Governor Barbour said. "If the Legislature fails to pass Senate Bill 2928, the highway patrol force will not be increased as it needs to be, and Mississippi will continue to administer the Federal Motor Carrier Act in a wasteful manner. I urge the Legislature, and specifically, the Senate, to pass this important bill."
Governor Barbour