Missouri House Committee Approved Increasing Gas Tax

Intro:	A Missouri representative asked Tuesday to raise the gas tax even more than the proposed six cents, which passed through committee.
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Wrap: A six-cent increase of Missouri's gas tax was approved by the House Transportation Committee.

The measure would increase the tax from 17 cents to just under 23 cents. If passed by the legislature and governor, the bill would also require a majority vote of Missourians.

St. Louis County Representative Bob Burns said new revenue is needed for crumbling transportation infrastructure.

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Description: "I wish it could be more."

The proposal's opposition said Missourians should not have to spend more on taxes.

The Missouri Department of Transportation recently announced plans to use $110 million a year from its cash reserves.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	A gas tax passed a Missouri House committee Tuesday, prompting a Republican lawmaker to ask for cuts in state spending.
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Wrap: A six-cent increase of Missouri's gas tax was approved by the House Transportation Committee.

The measure would increase the tax from 17 cents to just under 23 cents. If passed by the legislature and governor, the bill would also require a majority vote of Missourians.

St. Louis County Representative Kirk Mathews said Missourians should expect efficiency before new taxes.

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Description: I want to make sure that we're operating as efficiently as we can with MODOT and other areas of state government before we go back to the people and ask for more money.

The bill's supporters say new revenue is needed for crumbling transportation infrastructure.

The Missouri Department of Transportation recently announced plans to use $110 million a year from its cash reserves.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	A hike in Missouri's gas tax was passed by a House committee, and would become a ballot measure if finally passed.
RunTime:	0:44
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: A six-cent increase of Missouri's gas tax was approved by the House Transportation Committee.

The measure would increase the tax from 17 cents to just under 23 cents. If passed by the legislature and governor, the bill would also require a majority vote of Missourians.

Republican Representative Donald Rone said the measure will allow voters to decide if a gas tax is the way to fix transportation.

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Description: It's the decision of the people that should guide this state, not a group of legislators.

Opponents said Missouri should be more efficient in government spending, rather than ask for more taxes.

The Missouri Department of Transportation recently announced plans to use $110 million a year from its cash reserves.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.