Senate approves bill making 6-cent fuel tax permanent

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Senate gave initial approval Tuesday to a transportation bill that makes permanent a special 6-cent motor fuel tax.

The tax on gas and diesel fuel was approved by lawmakers in 1992 and is scheduled to expire in 2008. It accounts for about two-thirds of Missouri's current 17 cent per gallon fuel tax and raises more than $240 million annually, said Sen. Morris Westfall, R-Halfway.

Westfall said making the 6-cent portion permanent would give state transportation officials a guaranteed funding source needed to issue additional highway bonds.

The legislation, which was approved by voice vote, is separate from another proposal that would ask voters to raise additional fuel and sales taxes for transportation. That bill has yet to receive Senate debate.