Mo. House approves one-eight sales tax for vets

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The House approves legislation that would ask Missourians to raise their taxes for veterans services.

The proposed constitutional amendment would create a one-eighth cent sales tax to boost funding for the state Veterans Commission. It would be used to build more long-term-care facilities and for one-stop service centers where veterans could receive care and learn about programs.

A similar sales tax for the Department of Conservation brought in more than $103 million last year.

Bill supporters say veterans homes don't have enough beds, with about 1,000 people are on a waiting list.

Critics say they're worried about accountability for how the money is spent.