 The president's budget proposal eliminates public media funding. Learn how you can help at lptv.org slash action. Senate Republicans say they have a plan to fund billions of dollars in road and bridge repairs without raising the gas tax. Legislation unveiled earlier today would tap a mixture of existing taxes on car parts and other automobile expenses, federal grants, and borrowing to drum up the 3.6 billion dollars over the next decade. But it hinges on the future legislators agreeing to the same funding mechanism. The legislature has failed for several years to finalize a long-term transportation funding plan. Senate Majority Leader Paul DeZelka says that he is optimistic about getting a transportation bill passed this year. As we look at a roads and bridges bill, for example, the governor wants a roads and bridges bill. We do. The house does with light rail kind of moving a different direction. Now is the time to get that done. And so we'll focus on that. We've built relationships so that we can do those kind of things. Senate Democrats have criticized the plan for falling far short from what's necessary, including its lack of funding for mass transit projects. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.