JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers are looking beyond the usual places for funding road and bridge repairs after they promised to make the issue a priority this session.
In two weeks, House Republicans hope to send the Senate a budget that includes $30 million to revive the Missouri Department of Transportation’s cost-sharing system. Local governments would typically split half the cost of an infrastructure project with the department.
House Transportation Committee Chairman Representative Glen Kolkmeyer said a voter-approved tobacco tax hike is the only other transportation funding that’s likely to materialize this year.
The Senate is scheduled next week to debate a small increase to state fuel tax, but Republican House Speaker Todd Richardson has ruled out any tax increases.