LETTERS: BILL WOULD CAP FUEL-TAX SIPHONING

To the editor:

I have read with interest Mark Bliss' article regarding the siphoning off of gas-tax money for non-highway purposes.

This is an issue I have attempted to address in House Bill 1588. This bill was amended to House Bill 1742 and sent to the Senate, where HB 1588 was removed in committee. I am attempting to have that language re-amended onto the Senate conference substitute for HB 1742 on the Senate floor.

HB 1588 would freeze non-highway spending of fuel-tax money at fiscal 2001 levels. Currently, more than $180 million in fuel-tax money is siphoned away every year for non-highway uses. Through this fiscal year, $1.74 billion has been redirected from building roads and bridges since 1992.

I appreciate all that you have done to bring attention to this issue.

State Rep. CINDY OSTMANN

District 14

St. Peters