JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill says she supports a Missouri ballot measure that would raise the state sales tax to pay for roads and other transportation projects.
The Missouri Democrat said she views the sales tax as a regressive measure that will hit poor people more than wealthy people. But McCaskill says she will vote for the measure anyway, because more money is needed for Missouri roads.
The proposed constitutional amendment will ask voters to impose a three-quarter-cent sales tax that would last for 10 years. It's estimated to generate $534 million annually.
State transportation officials say the road budget will soon shrink considerably without a new revenue source.
The measure will appear on the November ballot, unless Gov. Jay Nixon chooses to schedule it for an August election.