Backers of the sales tax for transportation are disappointed not only that their proposal has lost; they’re disappointed by how badly it has lost.

With only a few precincts still out in St. Louis and St. Louis County, the proposal is losing by about 170,000 votes.

Senator Mike Kehoe of Jefferson City, who has led legislative efforts to build consensus on a sales tax increase, says some polling had indicated the tax increase had a chance to make it.  He thinks it will be some time before another transportation funding proposal is put on the ballot.