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   Last year, the General Assembly established the 21st Century Missouri Transportation System Task Force, a 23-member bipartisan panel comprised of participants from the House of Representatives, Senate, Executive Branch and private sector.

The Task Force was charged to evaluate and make recommendations about Missouri’s transportation system and its funding. It released its report Jan. 2 recommending a 10 cent increase to the state’s gas tax for each gallon and a 12-cent tax increase for diesel fuel to maintain Missouri’s more than 3,000 miles of highway.

North County Inc. supports the fuel tax increase. The tax increase is estimated to generate a revenue stream of $50 to $70 million transit and other multi-modal transportation and an additional $430 million a year for roads and bridges. For nearly two decades, gas and diesel taxes haven’t increased from 17 cents.

“North County is among Missouri’s aging, deteriorating transportation infrastructure and is in dire need of repair, maintenance and upgrades. This investment in transportation would go a long way to improving travel safety and economic development,” said North County Inc. Board President Dr. Chris Kilbride.

“It is critical MoDOT receives a revenue stream that provides the ability to maintain its roads and bridges as well as funds for major capital improvements such as the reconstruction of I-270 in North County.” said Mayor Tom Schneider.

Transit funding in Missouri was cut to $1.7 million for State Fiscal Year 2018. Currently, Missouri ranks 46th in the country with respect to transit funding. The proposed fuel tax hike would have to be passed by the legislature for ballot and a vote for Missouri residents.

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