Mid-Missouri lawmaker files bill to raise fuel tax for MoDOT road and Bridge Repairs

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Rep. Kip Kendrick, D-Columbia, filed a bill that would increase the fuel tax to raise money for roads and bridges.

Rep. Kendrick is proposing a 2-cent fuel tax increase that would create a $450 million bonding proposal by the Missouri Department of Transportation. Once the bond is paid back, a penny of the fuel tax sunsets, and the other remains.

Voters will not have to approve this tax because the 2 cents does not meet the threshold set by the Hancock amendment.

The money will go toward the current backlog on maintenance and repairs to roads and bridges across the state that MoDOT has set as a top priority.

Back in 2018, the voters denied a fuel tax increase. Rep. Kendrick said that the general assembly should take the blame for that, because the language was confusing and that voters usually turn down any tax increases.

Jan. 8 is the start of the 2020 legislative session in Missouri.