LEGISLATORS DISPLAY NO CLEAR CONSENSUS ABOUT GAS TAX

JEFFERSON CITY - Even though the Missouri House Transportation Committee has passed a bill that would increase the state's fuel tax by 6 cents without going to a vote of the people, there is still no consensus among lawmakers to approve the proposal on the House floor.

"I would say it is in a state of suspended animation at this point," said Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau. "There is a lot of discussion and a lot of proposals are being made."

Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, a member of the transportation committee, said the panel wanted to get something to the floor as soon as possible. "The general gist of what we did was pass it out, knowing that this probably would not be the bill we would vote on the floor," said Thomason.

"The general feeling is that we should allow voters to decide for themselves, but there are some problems with that because we feel strongly about getting something going for this construction season," he added. "My gut feeling is we will pass a temporary tax and put it before voters to decide whether to make it permanent."

The only issue getting much attention in the halls of the capitol this week is the gas tax.

"It is absolutely the hottest issue in Jefferson City and will be for several days to come," declared Rep. Joe Driskill, D-Poplar Bluff.

Under the bill approved by the committee on a 13-2 vote Monday night, a 2-cent gas tax increase would take effect immediately, with an additional 2 cents added in 1994 and again in 1996. The bill does not provide for a vote of the people.

The Missouri Highway and Transportation Department has outlined a list of projects that would be completed during the next 15 years with the funds. They also point out that for each dollar in state gas tax money invested, Missouri will receive $4 in federal gas tax money.

Area legislators acknowledge there are a lot of proposals being discussed and some uncertainty on whether to approve a tax increase without submitting the issue to voters.

However, many say their mail and calls are running strongly in favor of taking immediate action on the gas tax.

Rep. Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, who last week was undecided on whether to bypass the people, said he now supports taking legislative action on the tax.

Richardson said about 90 percent of the comments he has received have been in favor of legislative action, 5 percent want it to go to a vote, and 5 percent want no gas tax increase at all.

"Based on the overwhelming reaction in my district, my people want it done in the General Assembly and they want it now," said Richardson. "My vote will reflect that sentiment."

Driskill said he believes no action will be taken on the House floor until next week because it will take longer for a consensus to develop.

Driskill said his calls are running about 50-50 on whether there should be a vote of the people. "I personally am undecided at this point," he observed. "I am for the funding of this program and want to make sure we get this done. The highway construction is too valuable for our area to lose. But how we go about it, is still open for discussion.

Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson, said he hopes the transportation committee's bill will ultimately be approved by the full House. But he anticipates several amendments being presented.

"At this point, there is just a lot of talk and no solid consensus yet," remarked Schwab. "This is the issue everyone is talking bout."

Schwab said he does not want to see the plan changed in any way for fear that projects in outstate Missouri will be cut out.

Some legislators, including Minority Leader Jim Tallent, R-Chesterfield, have been calling for a 4-cent gas tax hike instead of 6 cents.

"I'm not thrilled by cutting to 4 cents," said Schwab. "We were assured in committee that they (highway department) could follow through on the map they have presented of projects and I think this deserves our support. If we start changing the amount of money coming into the plan, I fear the projects that will be cut are in rural Missouri."

Richardson said even though he supports the committee bill, he still has a lot of questions he needs answered. This afternoon, Richardson, Kasten, and several other Republicans will meet with Chief Highway Engineer Wayne Muri to try and determine whether the full 6-cent increase is needed.

"How many bureaucrats do you know submit a budget request and ask only for the bare bones?" asked Richardson. "Nobody up here ever asks for what they need; they always ask for more hoping to get what they need."

Richardson said he has confidence in Muri, but wants to clarify the amount of money needed, especially since the highway department is a constitutionally independent body and once it gets the money, it does not have to be accountable to the people.

Rep. Herb Fallert, D-Ste. Genevieve, said he is confident legislators will approve some type of fuel tax increase soon. "I think right now the question is whether it will be passed up here or go to a vote of the people," he observed.

"It will take some pretty hard lobbying to get it passed without a vote of the people."

But Fallert said his calls are strongly in support of not going to a vote of the people. "I'm getting more calls from people wanting us to pass it up here than those who want it to go to the people," he said. "They want us to pass it because they know where the money will go and want the matching federal dollars."

Kasten said she hopes some of the questions about the plan can be cleared up soon and believes delay in floor debate will give everyone time to get a clear understanding.

Richardson said even with a delay, he believes final action in the General Assembly can still be taken by Feb. 15.

"The honest point is people have not made up their mind because they don't feel they have all the information at this time to make up their mind," declared Richardson. "We're being asked to jump off an awfully big cliff, and in many people's minds, we're not being given the chance to look over the edge first."