GAS TAX STILL AMONG THE LOWEST

In 1992, with the support of then-Gov. John Ashcroft, the Missouri General Assembly passed a phased-in, six-cent increase on motor fuel for road and bridge construction. The phase-in called for two cents in 1992, two cents in 1994 and two cents this year. The final portion kicked in last week and will be in effect from here on out.

Missourians have demonstrated a tolerance for this variety of earmarked taxation, especially of the user-fee kind that a fuel tax represents. In 1987, prior to voter approval of a four-cent fuel tax increase, Missouri had the lowest such tax in all 50 states. Even after this latest increase, Missouri still has one of the nation's lowest, and this despite our seventh-largest state highway system. Clearly, we need the revenue to complete vital projects such as the Cape Girardeau bridge and Highway 60. Also slated for improvement are Highways 72 and 34 and the intersection of I-55 and Highway 61, among many others. This is the price of progress in maintaining and improving our roads and bridges.