AREA SENATORS WILL BACK STATE FUELS TAX HIKE

Three state senators from Southeast Missouri said they are prepared to vote for a House-passed version of an increase in the Missouri fuel tax when it comes before the Senate today.

The senators John Dennis, D-Benton, Jerry Howard, D-Dexter, and Danny Staples, D-Eminence said they are committed to voting for the House version. Under the bill, a 2-cent fuel tax hike would take effect immediately and additional 2-cent increases would take effect in 1994 and 1996, respectively.

The bill does not require a vote of the people and the tax could be enacted upon the signature of Gov. John Ashcroft.

Dennis, who is vice chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee that voted out the bill Thursday to the full Senate, said he hopes the measure can be on Ashcroft's desk by mid-week.

The House gave final passage to the measure on Wednesday.

"I've committed to a bill with no amendments," said Howard. "That is based on the positive versus negative input I have received on this bill.

"I have tried to ascertain diligently what percentage of my voters there are that are against the tax and for it. I think it is 60-40 in favor right now."

Howard said, "My commitment has been - unless there is a clear majority against the gas tax - I will vote for it because of the positive impact I think it will have on the economy in our state, and because so many people in my part of the country are unemployed."

Said Staples: "I support the 2-2-2 increase without a vote of the people I have been up front on that since day one. I support the move to pass the full plan; to pass it without amendments to get it to the governor quickly. I'm happy with the bill as it is right now."

Staples and Howard both said that some senators have complained about a provision in the House bill that would have the state take over maintenance on some additional roads in the city of St. Louis. But John Oliver of Cape Girardeau, a member of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission, said the additional roads amount to only 9.8 miles, and the highway department believes that would be acceptable.

"I'm comfortable with that provision," said Staples. "I don't have any problems voting for the bill with that in it."

Sen. John Russell, R-Lebanon, cast the lone dissenting vote on the measure in the transportation committee last week because of the St. Louis provision. He pledged to fight it on the Senate floor.

Dennis said he anticipated no problems getting the bill passed by the full Senate.

"I'm fearful of the precedent that it could set for us," said Howard. "If it comes down to that and not having a bill, there probably will be a compromise."

Howard said he hopes the people understand that passage of the bill will not immediately, by itself, put unemployed people back to work.

"I am concerned that the highway department has been selling this on the basis that as soon as this is done there will be jobs the day after the governor signs this bill," said Howard. "Taxes don't create jobs businessmen do. If this gas tax creates more business, someone will hire the people to do the jobs, but taxpayers are paying for it."

He said there would be some lag time before contracts can be signed for construction and people hired.

Howard said it is also important that people realize not all of the 6 cents is needed to match available federal highway funds. Some of the revenue will be used to fund other highway projects, he said.

"We are buying a future transportation system," said Howard. "We are buying highways and roads for the future with this."

On the other hand, the senator said the fuel tax increase would "rejuvenate our construction industry in Missouri." Howard suggested the industry has been in a state of decline since 1973, when the interstate highway system in Missouri was essentially finished.

Another feature of the House bill, Staples said, is that it has a provision ending the tax after 15 years. Projects outlined by the highway department for funding under the bill are targeted for completion over a 15-year period.