Proposition B advocates raise $1 million so far

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The campaign group promoting voter approval of Proposition B has raised more than $1 million for the effort in the last two weeks, its director says.

Time for Missouri, as the group is called, formed to help sell the $483 million transportation tax package that will appear on the Aug. 6 statewide ballot.

Rodney Gray, who is running the campaign, said the group is moving ahead toward its tentative fund-raising goal of $3.5 million.

Radio and television ads favoring Proposition B should hit the airwaves next week. Gray said many of the ads will target regional interests around Missouri.

"Our biggest challenge will be to inform and educate voters about Proposition B," Gray said. "I don't think there is any argument about the needs out there."

The campaign has done some polling to gauge voter opinion on the tax package, but Gray declined to offer details on the results.

"The initial polling indicates that if voters are adequately informed, we will have a close election on Aug. 6," Gray said.

The polling data have not been shared with Missouri Department of Transportation officials, Gray said.

Saying no

Proposition B opponents, meanwhile, have established their own campaign committee called No on B. Unlike Time for Missouri, No on B doesn't expect to launch a statewide media blitz.

"We are not going to have a lot of money to spend. We are going to rely on people power," said Pat Martin, a spokeswoman for Missourians for Tax Justice, which is part of the anti-Proposition B coalition.

Martin said the group would engage in a grass-roots campaign to convey its message.

State Sen. Larry Rohrbach, R-California, is one of the leaders of No on B. He said there is no way the group can hope to match the financial resources of the measure's proponents.

"The reason they have such an easy time raising the money is that a lot of people will be getting that $500 million a year through contracts with the state," Rohrbach said. "There are a number of people for who a 'yes' campaign is a business investment."

Indeed, Time for Missouri counts at least six highway contractor groups among its supporters.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce is also backing the proposal, primarily because of the anticipated economic benefits to the state. MoDOT officials say every $100 million invested in highways creates 4,500 jobs and returns $200 million to $300 million to local communities through economic growth.

Ray McCarty, the chamber's director of fiscal affairs, said local chambers are being asked endorse Proposition B and help build support in their communities.

"It is really the only chance for additional transportation revenue, at least for the foreseeable future," McCarty said.

Proposition B would add 4 cents to Missouri's fuel tax and a half-cent to the state sales tax.

The proposed use of sales taxes, which have never before been used to fund transportation in Missouri, is the main flaw in the measure, Rohrbach said. Not only would it hamper the ability of local governments to raise their own sales taxes, Rohrbach said it would pay for road improvements on the backs of the poor, including many who don't drive.

"The use of a general sales tax is just unfair and doesn't make much sense at all," Rohrbach said.

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