Governor Accepts … Rejects Organized Opposition To Transportation Initiative

Governor Bob Holden doesn’t appear too concerned about a new effort to derail the transportation initiative on the August 6th ballot. Organized opposition to the ballot initiative – Proposition B – is being led by a group calling itself the “No On “B” committee. There areseveral concerns. Among them: the proposal for a half-cent increase in the sales tax. The committee fears that will hurt the poorest Missourians. Governor Holden isn’t surprised by the opposition. He says any initiative that calls for increased taxes will be challenged. He says that while most of the revenues raised would be through user fees and taxes everyone uses the roads and must pay some. Hence, the half-cent sales tax hike. That package, should the initiative pass, would include money for public transportation in addition to roads and bridges.