AP and staff reports

Friday, May 25, 2001

The Natchez Democrat

BATON ROUGE, La. – The House wasted no time in passing a $2.9

billion construction budget for the 2001-02 fiscal year on Thursday,

passing the measure 97-0 with no debate and without making any

major changes.

The bill includes $3 million for the Vidalia Landing riverfront

site, money that would probably be used to fund the project’s

third phase. That would include extending the development’s walkway

and road south of the Mississippi River bridge.

&uot;We’re excited&uot; about the bill’s passage, said Mayor

Hyram Copeland. &uot;Hopefully, we’ll be able to use it to finish

infrastructure at that development.&uot;

Vidalia is asking for $6.2 million for the landing over the

next two years, Copeland said.

The bill includes a $1 billion cash portion, mostly federal

funds or tax money earmarked for specific projects.