Missourians for Tax Justice (MTJ) opposes proposals to build expensive, elaborate
  highway infrastructure when our present state tax system is unable to fund essential
  human needs. Examples of underfunded needs: health care, affordable housing, and
  all levels of education. 

            MTJ opposes any use of sales tax for financing transportation needs in Missouri. 

            MTJ  may support a mix of fuel tax, income tax, and toll roads to fund responsible
            transportation projects.

MTJ opposes privatization of toll roads, or of any public infrastructure.



MTJ will not support toll roads unless local users are exempt from tolls.



MTJ will support the use of fuel tax when this tax is increased for trucks
to a level where they pay a more fair share for the damage they cause
to roads.



MTJ will support the use of individual and corporate income tax to pay
for transportation  needs. We will encourage authorization of  a surcharge
on state income tax for local governments to pay for transportation needs. 

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Click Here for the MTJ 2008 Report on Transportation Funding.
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No Transportation Funding Legislation
Was Passed in the 2008 Session

Two bills regarding toll roads were filed this session by Sen. Matt Bartle:

SB 793 - Allows the Dept. of Transportation to construct toll roads under certain conditions.
       To see the bill Summary & the text of the bill, click here

SJR 31 - Proposes a state constitutional amendment to allow the Dept. of Transportation to                 construct and maintain toll roads.
       To see the bill Summary & the text of the bill, click here
          http://www.senate.mo.gov/08info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=48 

The chair of the Senate Transportation committee, Bill Stouffer--R, Napton, has
said he will not support any effort for toll roads. SB 793 and SJR 31 were both assigned
to his committee.

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Two constitutional amendments have been proposed which would distribute 10% of the general revenue growth to the State Road Fund and the State Transportation Fund:

HJR 67, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia L. Davis. There was no action on this proposal after the public hearing by the House Transportation Committee on February 26.
       To see the bill Summary & the text of the bill, click here:

SJR 43, sponsored by Sen. John Loudon. This bill was voted DO PASS by the Senate Governmental & Fiscal Oversight Committee on March 6, 2008. It died on the Senate Informal Perfection Calendar when the General Assembly adjourned on May 16.
       To see the bill Summary & the text of the bill, click here
         http://www.senate.mo.gov/08info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=36995

MTJ opposes these proposed constitutional amendments. By earmarking a sizeable portion of general revenue solely for "transportation," they would reduce accountability of legislators for budgeting scarce state funds each year according to the greatest need.

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SJR 48, sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer, was introduced Feb. 27, 2008 and referred to the Senate Transportation Committee on February 28. (Stouffer is chair of this committee). There was no further action.

This proposed constitutional amendmdent would institute a one percent sales and use tax for the purpose of converting Interstate 70 and Interstate 44 into an 9-lane interstate system.
To see the bill Summary and the text of the bill, click here.

MTJ opposes any sales tax increase to fund roads and other transportation.

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Last Updated June 7, 2008


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