Missouri Transportation Task Force recommends 10-cent gas tax increase

Missouri’s Transportation Task Force recommended a 10-cent gas tax increase and a 12-cent diesel tax increase in a report submitted to the General Assembly.

Revenue from the proposed tax increase, which is expected to be about $430 million annually, would be used for road and bridge work. Missouri’s transportation system is currently facing an $825 million annual shortfall.

Missouri’s current fuel tax is 17 cents per gallon. It’s one of the lowest in the country and hasn’t been increased since 1996.

The Show Me State ranks 47th in revenue collected at the gas pump, but has the seventh largest roadway system and the sixth highest number of bridges in the nation. About 8 percent of those bridges are in poor condition.

Missourians will be able to vote on the issue if the Legislature approves the proposal, but plans to raise Missouri’s gas tax have repeatedly been struck down.

The 21st Century Missouri Transportation Task Force met for the first time in June. It’s made up of 23 people, including state representatives, senators, directors of the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Highway Patrol and several nongovernmental members.