Missouri Senate Approves Fuel-Tax Hike, Sends Bill to House

Missouri’s Senate approved a fuel-tax increase of 5.9 cents per gallon April 6. The 21-10 vote sends the bill, sponsored by Transportation Committee Chairman Doug Libla, to the House, where its chances of passage are much less assured.

The bill has the support of House Transportation Committee chairman Glen Kolkmeyer and Gov. Jay Nixon as well as the Missouri Trucking Association. Missouri’s Legislature is in session until May 13.

If both chambers approve the bill, the proposal will go on November’s ballot, since any measure that increases taxes in Missouri by at least $90 million has to go to the voters. The current 17-cents-per-gallon tax on diesel and gas hasn’t been raised since 1996.