NO CLAMOR FOR EXTRA TRANSPORTATION TAXES

Last year, Gov. Mel Carnahan appointed a 35-member group called the Total Transportation Commission. The TTC held hearings before recently voting 27-3 to propose a general sales tax of one cent for transportation. This commission report came amid talk of a possible special session in August, for the purpose of asking legislators to send such a proposal to voters for a November special election.

Response has been underwhelming, and sources in Jefferson City have yet to report the sighting of a torchlight parade of Missourians demanding this or any other tax hike. From both parties, and from the House and Senate leadership, come statements that are tepid at best. Among statehouse Republicans, opposition ranges from mild to ferocious. From House Speaker Steve Gaw, D-Moberly: "There is not an overall feeling, based on my conversations, that we should have a special session on transportation." Or Senate President Pro Tem Bill McKenna, D-Barnhart: "I don't think the consensus [for holding a special session] is built yet."

Indeed. And why should there be any such consensus? The TTC has delivered a report that is altogether devoid of the specifics that would underlie the credibility and accountability that are preconditions to broad public support.

Gov. Carnahan appointed this commission without any warrant in the Constitution and charged it with holding hearings and receiving testimony from all quarters. From one of the commission's own members, though, comes this damaging report on its deliberations: Whenever commission member Estil Fretwell attempted to force discussion of the 15-year plan announced in 1992, such discussion was gavelled out of order before it got anywhere. The commission repeatedly cast aside attempts to discuss the 15-year plan on the basis of which voters were sold the last tax hike. Unanswered questions abound amid diminished credibility for all state government.

To a proposed special session based on the TTC report, most Missourians are saying, "No way."