COUNTIES DESERVE SHARE OF STATE GAS TAX INCREASE

It's the same old story from county to county: governments are grappling with dwindling revenues. As county officials work to retain services, road and bridge maintenance has suffered. That's why an effort to allocate an increased share of the state gas tax to the counties is a wise move.

The Missouri Constitution currently provides for 15 percent of the state gas tax to be distributed to cities, and 10 percent to counties for maintaining roads and bridges. For several years, counties have unsuccessfully pushed to have their share increased to 15 percent.

But now the picture has changed.

Legislative approval of a 6-cent increase in the gas tax over the next five years will bring in millions of matching federal highway dollars. The state will receive $4 in federal funds for every dollar it doles out. That's a 400 percent return on Missouri's investment.

It's only right the state share "the wealth" with counties, which are struggling to maintain crumbling roads and bridges. The tax increase has allowed the state to become more benevolent. This marks the first year the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department has not opposed the increase to counties. That has posed a major stumbling block in the past.

Still, the measure requires legislative approval. With less than three weeks left in the session, the bill is stalled in the Senate. It earned House approval in early March. As a constitutional amendment, it also requires voter approval.

The change would provide a big boost to road programs in the region. Cape Girardeau County currently receives almost $200,000 a year from the state gas tax. Once the 6-cent increase is phased in over the next five years, the county will receive an additional $75,000 to $80,000. The additional 5 percent would generate $75,840 for Cape Girardeau County.

Cape County's road and bridge budget runs about $1.6 million. But in the last few years, road and bridge work has been subsidized by other funds. Without an increase, the county may be forced to cut back on its road and bridge work. That's not just a matter of inconvenience. Poorly maintained roads are dangerous. Increased road work will also provide an economic boost to counties.

Other area counties would receive similar boosts from the additional 5 percent. New Madrid County would receive an additional $93,120; Bollinger County, $47,040; Scott County, $46,080; and Mississippi County, $40,320. Funding allocation is based on miles of roads and assessed valuation.

It's time counties receive a bigger slice of the state highway funding pie. It's a matter of safety and equity.