MoDOT wants citizens to push for road improvements

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Intro:	The state's transportation department says citizens will have to take the wheel to fix the state's roads.
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Wrap: A Missouri transportation group wants Missouri voters to raise taxes.

They say a one percent sales tax increase is the best way to fix the state's roads.

Missouri Department of Transportation spokesperson Bob Brendel says the increase would help make up for lost gas tax revenue.

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Description: "As vehicles get more fuel efficient and as people drive fewer miles, we wind up with a smaller pot of money to devote to maintaining and enhancing our transportation system."

Previous attempts by lawmakers increase taxes to fund road improvements have failed in the legislature.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Alex Mallin, Newsradio 1120, KMOX.

Intro:	An organization is looking for voters to approve a sales tax increase.
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Wrap: Missouri Department of Transportation spokesperson Bob Brendel says an increase in the state's sales tax will allow the department to start improving roads across the state.

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Description: Not coincidentally our construction budget has fallen from a six year average of 1.2 billion dollars a year to 700 million dollars a year. That's enough money to maintain our system and not much else.

Former state senator and former chair of the state transportation commission chair Bill McKenna is one of the leaders behind the campaign.

Previous attempts by lawmakers to propose a tax for road fixes have died in the legislature.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Alex Mallin, Newsradio 1120, KMOX.

Intro:	A official with the Missouri Department of Transportation likes the idea of a sales tax increase funding for roads.
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Wrap: A Missouri transportation group is campaigning to put a one cent sales tax increase on a general election ballot.

Missouri Department of Transportation spokesperson Bob Brendel says Missourians will have to bear some of the burden in fixing the state's roads.

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Description: "This dedicated one cent sales tax increase for transportation generates the kind of money that enables MoDOT to make a difference on the kind of projects that people want in the state."

Brendel says the initiative could generate up to 8 billion dollars in revenue over ten years.

Previous attempts by the General Assembly to pass legislation have failed.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Alex Mallin, Newsradio 1120, KMOX.