HOPE REMAINS FOR TRANSPORTATION SALES TAX ELECTION

An August transportation tax election in the city of Cape Girardeau hit the skids at Monday night's council meeting. The measure -- which called for a seven-year, half-cent sales tax to fund road and bridge projects -- stalled on a 3-3 tie vote.

Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling was understandably provoked by the tie vote. The measure had passed unanimously at its first reading just two weeks before, and none of three councilmen had mentioned an intention to change their votes. That would have been a fitting topic of discussion at the study session, which precedes the regular meeting.

Spradling, Tom Neumeyer, and Melvin Kasten voted in favor of the election; Melvin Gateley, Richard Eggimann and Jack Rickard voted no. J.J. Williamson was absent due to the death of his mother.

Monday's development shouldn't spell the end of the transportation tax proposal. This could give the city and the Chamber of Commerce an opportunity to better prepare for an election.

Gateley and Eggimann want to have public hearings as a way to gather public input on such a tax. That certainly wouldn't hurt. It could be the perfect opportunity for business officials to assume leadership of the campaign. Broad-based community support will be essential for approval.

But more importantly, the city staff needs to prepare a list of projects that deserve funding, and prioritize that list on how the money should be spent. That priority spending list should be part of the transportation tax proposal from the get-go. This approach has worked time and again, both at the local and state levels.

Without a consensus on the council, the transportation tax faces a difficult time. Let's address council concerns and prepare a priority list of spending for road and bridge improvements.