THE PUBLIC MIND: METROPLITAN LEADERS SHOULDN'T ROCK BOAT

To the Editor:

The Missouri House has before it a bill to increase the state motor fuels tax by 6 cents by increasing the tax 2 cents every other year beginning this year. This is needed to match federal funds made available recently. The federal funds have been building up for several years because Congress had not released them, even though they are earmarked for highway use only upon being matched by state funds. The failure of Congress to release these funds has increased unemployment and has contributed to highway deaths and injuries to date. Highways in Missouri are badly in need of upgrading, some of the bridges and roadways were designed over 50 years ago when the "Model T" was in use. The counties want their share of the fuel tax raised from 10 percent to 15 percent to equal the 15 percent share the cities get, which would require a vote of the people to amend the state constitution. This would appear reasonable since it would be used for roadways and bridges on county roads.

The metropolitan areas are pressing for a 1 cent per gallon fuel tax to be added to the highway users fuel tax to be used for light rail to be built in the metropolitan area. This would mean that highway users would be paying for light rail construction for light rail users only. To tax highway users for that reason should apply to users of air and water travel to being taxed to support the construction of light rail. What is wrong with light rail users paying for light rail construction? If they can't pay for it themselves then get it out of general revenue.

The people of outstate Missouri are unhappy about state education funds normally allocated to their school districts being used to support schools much better than theirs, causing many of them to curtail their programs and in many cases having to raise more funds. In plain words to the metropolitan leaders, don't rock the boat or you may fall into the water. Outstate Missouri people could very well choose to buy their goods and services elsewhere.

Carl L. Penzel

Jackson