Dear Editor:
Please consider the importance of your vote on Amendment 7. The last time Missourians approved a transportation tax increase was 22 years ago. Since then construction costs have increased three-fold.
Funding has not kept up. In fact, revenues from the 17 cent per gallon fuel tax have declined over recent years as fewer miles are being driven and those miles driven are in more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Fuel efficiency is a great step in the direction for our country, but not for current transportation funding methods. The funding system is broken, and revenue will continue to decline.
On top of the local funding problems, it has become apparent that the federal transportation funding cannot be relied upon as the Highway Trust Fund is on the verge of insolvency.
It is in the best interest of the state to become less dependent on the politicians in Washington. Surrounding states have already done this as Arkansas and Kansas have passed sales taxes for transportation.
Without an increase in funds, MoDOT is projecting that they will no longer have the money that it takes to maintain the existing system in coming years.
They have already shut down the cost-share program to partner with local municipalities. This puts an end to projects such as the new interchange on Missouri 179 that preceded the new St. Mary's Health Center. Without increased funding, MoDOT will be struggling to repair the roads and replace deteriorating bridges, much less construct economic development, safety or traffic flow improvement projects.
Transportation advocates have been working on this for years and have considered many different funding sources including toll roads and gas tax increases. The current sales tax proposal is the only one that Missourians have shown through polling and surveying that they are willing to consider. Furthermore, with election years coming up, the time is now as politicians are unlikely to take up this issue in the coming years.
Transportation is vital to the state and all Missourians benefit as the system carries the goods that we purchase and promotes businesses and jobs in the state. Any taxes applied directly to the truck industry just get passed on to us as prices of goods will increase.
Please consider voting yes on Amendment 7. We need to continue to build our transportation system as well as maintain what we have. Current funding methods are not enough to do this.
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