Transportation Bill Moves Forward In Senate

A major package of fuel and sales tax increases for roads, bridges and other transportation issues has advanced in the State Senate. Bob Priddy has more. $495-Million a year would be raised by a six-cent fuel tax, with a three-eighth cent sales tax increase phasing in through several years that would add another $195-million dollars. Not a perfect bill, admits Senator Morris Westfall of Halfway, the sponsor, but a signfiicant step forward in answering Missouri’s road and bridge needs. It’s only about half with the Transportation Department says it needs. Westfall says the Legislature will have to find additional sources of money to finish what this starts. The Senate could send the bill to the House early next week. The House Transportation Chairman has a proposal that is much bigger, but Westfall says he’s at his limit. If the two approaches can be reconciled, the issue will go to the voters later this year.