Still waiting for an accounting of highway funds

To the editor:

Recently a caller to Speak Out indicated that the reason for the slow pace of bridge construction around Cape Girardeau was that the people of Missouri were not paying enough taxes. I realize it has been a while since there was anything in the paper about Missouri's grand 15-year highway plan, so let me refresh your memory.

Missouri taxpayers approved an increase in the fuel tax to fund the 15-year highway construction plan, then the legislature and the governor's office -- all controlled by the Democrats by the way -- diverted, re-appropriated and stole so much of the highway tax money for other uses that the construction plan collapsed. We are still paying this tax every time we buy gas, even though the construction plan is dead.

I would like some accounting for this money before I will ever willingly concede to additional state taxes for any reason. With the 15-year plan dead, there should be far more than enough money generated by the fuel-tax increase to fund a few piddling local bridge projects, unless the entire amount is being diverted to other uses.

Who else would like to know what our state government is doing with this highway revenue now that there is no more 15-year highway plan?

ROBERT A. CRON

Advance, Mo.