The chairman of the 21st Century Missouri Transportation System Task Force urged members to keep an open mind and think outside the box as it starts the latest study to find solutions to the state's transportation needs.
While we encourage them to do so, our inside-the-box thinking leads us to believe that a fuel tax will likely be a major component of the plan.
The task force is the latest attempt to address funding for MoDOT, which has less revenue in recent years and has slimmed down its operations.
The department trimmed its operations in 2011, cutting 1,200 jobs, closing 124 maintenance facilities and consolidating the number of maintenance districts from 10 to seven. Those efforts have saved about $750 million.
We reported on Thursday that Missouri Transportation Director Patrick McKenna began the hearing with a presentation outlining the current state of the transportation system, highlighting the more than 2,000 bridges that need repair.
One member of the task force has already suggested that more money isn't needed and that MoDOT can re-prioritize existing funds. We like that thrifty attitude, but in this case we believe more funding is needed.
We don't disagree with the department's assessment that it needs an additional $825 million annually to improve roads and bridges, reconstruct major interstates, and invest in projects that improve safety.
The public already has shot down a plan for a sales tax to fund transportation needs, and toll roads are controversial and not without their own downsides.
Fuel taxes have been criticized by detractors who say increasing fuel efficiency and a stagnant population would result in a lower rate of return. There's some truth to that, but, overall, we think they would be a reasonably fair way to fund transportation needs.
After all, they're a user fee. People who don't buy fuel for their vehicles don't pay. And compared to other funding methods, they don't cost a lot to administer.
That said, we're open to other possibilities, and we look forward to the task force's recommendations, whether they are "in-the-box" or "out-of-the-box" solutions. In the mean time, we - as well as the task force - would love to hear your thoughts on possible solutions.