Missourians are growing more likely to vote on a transportation sales tax later this year. But it won’t be as much as has been discussed for the last  few years.

Backers have talked about a one-percent sales tax increase for more than three years.  But Jefferson City Senator Mike Kehoe knew he’d face another filibuster this year–as he did last year when the bill was talked to death–if the bill continued calling for a full one percent. He says cutting the increase to three-fourths of a percent has kept opposing Senators in their seats and also has  pleased some local officials who need room for their own sales taxes.

He figures the tax will raise six billion dollars in the next ten years for the transportation department. He also points to predictions that the funding will create 270,000 jobs.

But opposing Senator John Lamping of St. Louis says voter approval of the largest tax increase in Missouri history will leave Missouri with the nation’s ninth highest state and local sales tax burden.   

The House had approved a one-cent increase.  But Kehoe thinks the House will accept the lower figure and send the proposal to the voters.

Debate, pt. 1 23:18

AUDIO: Debate pt. II

AUDIO: debate pt. III 26:21

AUDIO: debate pt. IV 9:41