MISSOURI DESRVES FAIRT SHARE OF HIGHWAY FUNDS

A five-year federal highway bill approved by the U.S. Senate last week could bring a long overdue increase in funding to Missouri. Our state operates the sixth largest highway system in the nation, and money has not kept pace with maintenance needs, much less new projects.

At the crux of the transportation funding debate is the fairness of the distribution formula.

Missouri is one of 26 "donor" states. That means our motorists pay out more in federal fuel taxes than is returned to the state. The federal government returns less than 85 cents of every dollar in fuel taxes paid by Missourians.

The Senate-approved proposal would ensure that Missouri receive at least 98 cents per dollar. While the formula was not changed, the Senate version would release $13 billion in trust fund dollars to "donor" states such as Missouri. As result, our state's annual federal allocation would climb from $275 million to $429 million.

Sen. Kit Bond deserves much of the credit in boosting Missouri's fair share. Bond played a key role in hammering out the Senate compromise bill that assists "donor" states. Bond's leadership made the bill better for Missouri.

But now the attention turns to the House, and the enterprise of other Missourians. As a member of the Public Works and Transportation Committee, Congressman Bill Emerson said he would like to address the fairness of the distribution formula. Ideally, the formula should be based on highway usage. If that were the case, Missouri would likely see a big increase in funding.

Hopefully, the House can also address another concern in the Senate version, which places more emphasis and spending powers on metropolitan transit. That may mean fewer dollars will be available for outstate road and bridge construction.

Wayne Muri, chief engineer of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department, praised the Senate version, saying that Missourians would reap economic benefits if it is approved. He said the bill would increase the amount of dual-lane highways in Missouri, improve the interstates, and ensure Missouri gets a more fair share of highway aid. House members should keep the Senate version at the forefront as they try to hammer out their own compromise. Missouri could do better, but there's no question we could also do a lot worse.

Highway funding is more than simply an issue of who gets more money. There is an undeniable link between quality transportation and productivity. There's no question that improvement in Missouri's highways and bridges would provide a springboard for economic development and tourism. The Senate version puts Missouri on the road to improved transportation.