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State Leaders Brainstorm Funding Ideas for Road Construction

December 09, 2004

Date: December 9, 2004

By: Bente Birkeland

State Capital Bureau

A Republican leader tells the Missouri Transportation Committee

he won't rule out a gas tax increase in Missouri.

Bente Birkeland reports from Jefferson City.

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State leaders are discussing how to raise more money for Missouri roads.

Senator John Dolan is the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.

Dolan says the money for roads will have to come from somewhere else if Missouri doesn't pass a transportation funding bill.

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Contents: DOLAN2 "If we don't do that, it is only natural to look at registration fees. If you don't do that, you might do a diesel differential.If you don't do a tax, you might do a CPI of the existing tax."

Dolan says he's not ruling out any options.

From the state Capital, I'm Bente Birkeland.

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When it comes to raising money for Missouri roads, a top Republican leader tells the Missouri Transportation Committee he isn't ruling anything out.

Bente Birkeland reports from Jefferson City.

State officals are brainstorming how to get more money for road construction.

Missourians voted for amendment 3 which earmarks fuel and automative taxes for that purpose.

Senator John Dolan, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee says the ammendment is just one of many funding options.

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Contents: DOLAN5 "I feel very confident in exploring all ideas on transportation and putting it at the forefront of the major issues of the day because that's where the lives and the infrustructure and the safety and efficacy of Missouri's travel belongs."

Registration fees, tolls, and linking the gas tax to inflation are a few of the ideas Dolan says he's considering.

From the state Capitol, I am Bente Birkeland.

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Missouri's Department of Transportation says federal money earmarked for Missouri falls drastically short of what the state needs. Bente Birkeland reports from Jefferson City.

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Right now the federal government allocates roughly 200 billion dollars for transportation.

Missouri receives a portion of that money.

Pete Rahn, head of Missouri's Department of Transportation says the federal government just announced it will spend an additional 50 billion dollars on transportation.

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Contents: "While 256 is an increase over the current level, it doesn't come close to addressing the needs of Missouri"

Rahn says he is hopeful the state can get more money from the federal government next year.

From the state Capitol, I am Bente Birkeland.