CHAMBER BOARD TO DISCUSS CITY TAX ISSUE

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will study the city council's proposal for a seven-year, half-cent sales tax for Cape Girardeans.

"The board is behind improvements for infrastructure, and streets are included," said Jim Rust, chairman of the chamber board, Tuesday. "But, we want to take a look at the proposal before we make any recommendations."

The city council voted 5-2 earlier this week to place the tax proposal on the June 6 ballot for Cape Girardeau voters.

The tax would raise about $24.3 million, with the funds to be used to fund city transportation projects.

The chamber board will discuss the proposal during its March 7 board meeting.

The chamber board recently approved the Surface Transportation Committee's recommended support for the completion of the Lexington-Sprigg Street project.

This marks the third time in the past decade that a transportation sales tax has been on the ballot. Voters defeated the issue in 1986 and 1987.