The Missouri House Wednesday gave approval to a ballot issue that seeks a one-cent sales tax increase that would be used to fund the state’s transportation needs for at least the next ten years.
By a vote of 96-53, House members third read and passed House Joint Resolution 68, sponsored by Rep. Dave Hinson (R-St. Clair). The resolution would allow Missouri voters to have a say on a sales tax increase of 1 percent for a period of ten years. At the end of the ten year period, the sales tax would come up for another public vote.
Proceeds from the sales tax will help the Missouri Department of Transportation meet the transportation needs of the state for the next decade. Without a new funding source of some kind, MoDOT officials expect state gas tax revenues and federal funding to drop off to levels where only minimal maintenance work will be performed.
The bill is supported by a broad coalition of contractors, engineering firms and unions. The proceeds from the sales tax is expected to fix roads and bridges and provide construction jobs well into the next decade.
“The Missouri Transportation and Development Council is pleased that the Missouri House has seen the value in asking voters if they want to fund road improvements in Missouri through an increased sales tax,” said Ray McCarty, spokesman for the group.
“The MTD believes transportation is crucial to our economic survival and that we must find a way to fund transportation improvements,” said McCarty. “This option is one that has been endorsed by the MTD council and we hope the Missouri Senate will allow voters to decide this important issue.”
The resolution now moves to the State Senate.
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