State lawmakers set to discuss gas tax, abortion

Missouri lawmakers are set to discuss a range of issues during the upcoming session, including plans to repair roads, ethics reform and laws on abortion. The 2016 legislative session starts around noon on Wednesday.

Legislative leaders have said tightening state laws on ethics will be a top priority. Proposals on the table include banning lobbyist gifts to lawmakers.

Other bills lawmakers have proposed include a measure to raise the gasoline tax by 1.5 cents per gallon and the diesel tax by 3.5 cents in order to pay for road and bridge repairs.

Several measures on abortion have been filed ahead of the official start of the session, including a proposal to ban fetal tissue donation.

This is the last legislative session before Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon leaves office. Both the Missouri House and Senate are controlled by Republicans.