LEGISLATORS SEE ENOUGH VOTES FOR GAS TAX

Several area state representatives said Tuesday they believe enough votes exist in the Missouri House to approve a 6-cent fuel tax increase without putting it before the state's voters.

While the legislators expressed confidence that at least 82 votes existed, all agreed there are not the 109 votes necessary to approve an emergency clause that would put the proposal into effect upon the governor's signature.

Without approval of an emergency clause, the fuel tax would not take effect until late August. State highway officials have been encouraging quick action by lawmakers so that fuel tax money can be generated to match all available federal funds this year and to take advantage of the entire 1992 construction season.

By acting quickly, highway officials have stressed that 7,800 jobs would be created this year.

"I think the 82 votes are there, but not 109 yet," said Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn, D-Sikeston.

"Not too many people argue with the fact we have 82 votes," said Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett. "But trying to get the 109 votes to enact an emergency clause is really where we are at now."

The gas tax increase has been the main topic in the Capitol for three weeks, and it appears Speaker Bob Griffin is moving toward sending the issue to the full House early next week for debate and action.

"My thought is that the leadership wants to get some assurance that the 109 votes will be there," said Thomason. "My personal feel is that we are not there yet, but it is starting to come together."

Rep. Joe Driskill, D-Poplar Bluff, agreed that the bill was still short of the votes for an emergency clause.

He said efforts to have a 1-cent additional fuel tax implemented for mass transit, and whether to send the increase to voters, are all issues that are slowing down the process.

"There is very, very little opposition to the plan as it exists, and more than a majority of members at this point desire to deal with the bill," said Driskill. "But to get to that point you have to deal with the other issues."

Ziegenhorn said he believes even if there are not 109 votes to pass the bill, there will be enough legislators who will support the emergency clause once the bill passes.

Driskill and Thomason agreed that any effort to amend the 6-cent gas tax bill on the floor, which was approved two weeks ago by the House Transportation Committee, could end efforts at quick action.

"Amendments will definitely cloud the issue," said Driskill. "I'm for the plan and think it's great, but I also understand the concerns of those who are concerned."

Thomason said he believes support for the proposal has grown in recent days as representatives have had an opportunity to review the projects that would be funded with the additional money and have heard from constituents.

At one time, Griffin said he wanted at least 40 Republican votes committed before he would put the bill on the floor for debate. Last week he scaled that down to 33 votes.

Ziegenhorn said he believes the only thing keeping Griffin from moving the bill along is getting a commitment from Republican Gov. John Ashcroft that the votes in his party are there.

Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson, who favors the bill, said he thinks there could be the 33 votes Griffin wants. "Ideas are still floating all over the place on what we are going to do, but I think we might be able to get the 33 votes Griffin wants," said Schwab.

On the other hand, Schwab said he is not sure enough Democratic votes have been lined up yet.

"I think we are all getting to the point of where we will have to deal with it and see if it will pass," said Schwab.

Schwab, who along with Thomason serves on the transportation committee, said the panel will have hearings on two proposed constitutional amendments this afternoon that could address other issues related to the gas tax.

One measure would provide a 1-cent fuel tax increase to fund mass transit while the other would increase the share counties receive of the gas tax from 10 to 15 percent. Cities already receive 15 percent.

Since both proposals are constitutional amendments, voter approval is required after legislative approval.

"The word I have is that we plan to deal with both of these issues first before we deal with the fuel tax bill itself," said Schwab.

Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, said there are still a lot of proposals floating around but support is growing for action on the fuel tax hike.

"It seems like there are not as many objections to it," said Kasten, "although I believe there is a feeling from some who want more accountability to know what projects are going to be the priority projects."

Kasten, along with many other House members, have met with Chief Highway Engineer Wayne Muri to get more specific information about the projects.

"I'm going to vote for the transportation bill unless there is a real good substitute that will assure us that we will get our projects," said Kasten.

Rep. Ollie Amick, D-Benton, said he will support the committee version because "it does too much in our area; there is no way that you can turn away from that."

But Amick warned time is running out if legislators hope to get an increase approved without a vote of the people.

"If we don't get it done by next week, then we may go 2 cents now and the rest later after a vote of the people," said Amick.

Under the bill passed by the transportation committee, a 2-cent increase would take effect immediately, followed by 2-cent increases in 1994 and 1996.