MO drivers react to proposed gas tax

MISSOURI (KFVS) - One of the issues Missouri Governor Jay Nixon is expected to address is a tax increase that would go to fund road and bridge improvements.

After Missouri voters rejected a sales tax in 2014, the Missouri Department of Transportation hope a gas tax increase will work.

"If you are improving something that is going to improve everyone's quality of life that would be worth it," said Missouri driver David Jenkins.

The proposed bill would increase the state's fuel tax by 1.5 cents per gallon and the tax on diesel fuel by 3.5 cents per gallon.

If you spend $50 a month on gas and the motor fuel tax would take effect, it would come out to be about 75 cents in gas per month.

The small increase would add $55 million to the state road fund.

Nixon said the state needs highway improvements and a fuel tax would be a "down payment" on the future of Missouri's roads.

It's an expense some drivers say they would rather fork out now then later.

"There are big potholes. I drive over them and it hits your car and you are scared you are going to mess up your tires you paid $500 for," said Jenkins.

Other proposed methods for funding road and bridge repairs include raising taxes on tobacco or moving the Missouri Highway Patrol out of the Transportation Department budget.

Nixon said those proposals aren't realistic long-term fixes.

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