Senate Republicans push for more legislative control of transportation tax dollars
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Senate Republicans push for more legislative control of transportation tax dollars

Date: March 12, 2013
By: Wes Duplantier
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SJR16

Intro: 
Lawmakers in the state Capitol say they want to raise the state sales tax to pay for state road projects, but they say they should have control of how the money is spent.
RunTime:  0:45
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: A proposal in the state Capitol raise the state sales tax by one percent for 10 years to pay for road projects. 

But the state Highway Commission would decide which projects get funded. And some Republicans, like Senator Kurt Schaefer, now say they want some control over which projects get paid for.

Actuality:  SCHAFAP.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "I understand your concern that you don't want to get into such partisan politics that you have powerful representatives or powerful senators building bridges to nowhere; I think that's a valid concern. But this is a tremendous amount of money to have no appropriation at all."

Supporters of the bill say the state and cities desperately need the money. The Senate has stopped debate on the amendment for now, but could come back to it later this week.  

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Wes Duplantier. Newsradio 1120. KMOX. 
 

Intro: 
Lawmakers in the state Capitol say they want to raise the state sales tax to pay for state road projects, but they say they should have control of how the money is spent.
RunTime:  0:46
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: A proposal in the state Capitol raise the state sales tax by one percent for 10 years. And that new money would pay for road projects across Missouri.

The state Highway Commission would decide which projects get funded. But some Republicans in the Capitol say they want some control over what gets financed.  

But Kehoe, who is also a Republican, says that system would send the money to projects with the strongest political connections--not the greatest benefit for the state.

Actuality:  KENIT.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "I would have nightmares over elected officials prioritizing our transportation projects and I think Missourians would as well."

The Senate has stopped debate on the amendment for now, but could come back to it later this week.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Wes Duplantier. Newsradio 1120. KMOX.