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State poised to procure pennies as profits from non-pedestrian pockets

April 26, 2001
By: Aaron Cummins
State Capital Bureau
Links: HJR 7

The Missouri House cleared the way for toll roads today/Thursday, but only if you agree to pay the fee. Aaron Cummins has more from Jefferson City--

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Voters would get a chance to give the thumbs up... or thumbs down, to toll roads.

The proposal's sponsor, Democrat Don Koller, says his plan could help fix Missouri's crumbling roads.

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Contents: Koller says this would just give the Highway Commission another option to work with.

Koller's plan would allow the Highway Commission to look into toll roads, but in the future another bill would have to be passed to actually build them.

But, opponents say toll roads are a bad idea-- one that would put the state too far into debt.

From Jefferson City, Aaron Cummins, KMOX-News.

It would be easier for Missouri take money out of your pockets to drive on the state's roads under a plan passed by the House today/Thursday. Aaron Cummins has more from Jefferson City--

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Toll roads are part of a larger proposal to revamp the Highway Commission and create the cabinet-position Secretary of Transportation.

Supporters say that would mean more accountability.

But, House Republican leader Catherine Hanaway says that's not at all what this will do.

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Contents: Hanaway says this is worse than the current set-up and just adds to the bureaucracy of the commissioner.

Ultimately, voters will have the final say on both the Commission changes and toll roads.

If the Senate follows the House and passes the plan, it would go to a vote of the people in November 2002.

From the state capital, Aaron Cummins, KMOX-News.

Missouri's right to charge you for driving on the state's roads would be decided by voters under a plan passed today/Thursday by the House. Aaron Cummins has more--

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The plan would allow the state to look into using toll roads to fix Missouri's crumbling highways.

But, southeast Missouri Representative Rod Jetton says toll roads aren't financially responsible.

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Contents: Jetton says toll roads would force the state into debt.

Meanwhile, supporters of the plan think Missouri should at least study toll roads.

They say that could be the solution to at least some of the state's transportation woes.

From the state capital, Aaron Cummins, KMOX-News.