JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A state legislator from southwest Missouri has filed a lawsuit in an effort to stop a proposed gasoline tax increase from appearing on the state’s November ballot.

A panel set up by Missouri lawmakers wants Missouri voters to raise the state’s gasoline tax by a dime per gallon to help maintain one of the nation’s most extensive highway networks.

The new director of the Missouri Department of Transportation on Jan. 26 continued his call to boost state transportation spending.