Rep. Kevin Corlew, R-Kansas City, served on the 21st Century Missouri Transportation System Task Force, which recommended a gas tax to help with a shortfall in transportation infrastructure funding. He said the tax has been 17 cents since the 1990s.
The Missouri Department of Transportation reports it's short $825 million for high-priority needs alone, and though 90 percent of the state's major highways and interstates are in good condition, it has no money to start expansion projects or improve public safety. The department says it must use all its resources to maintain the current system.
Rep. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, pointed to bridges in need of repair across the state, which has the nation’s seventh largest state highway system.
Some lawmakers expressed concerns with the tax.
When the tax was debated Wednesday in the Senate, lawmakers expressed concerns with how the funds would be managed.
Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City, worried how the funds would be distributed.