Higher fuel costs could prompt some state departments to make adjustments.

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9/15/2008: Radio Story - A spokesperson from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources said high gas prices in Missouri could be due to price gouging by oil companies.

9/19/2008: Radio Story - MoDOT reprograms trucks to conserve gas and cut costs.

11/ 4/2010: Newspaper Story - MoDOT names its new director in the middle of a budget crunch.

Intro:	Missouri gas prices are up nearly twenty cents from last week due to conflict in the Middle East.
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Wrap: The price of gas in Missouri is the highest it has been in over two years.

The higher cost of gas is causing a headache for the Missouri Highway Patrol who's vehicles drove almost twenty-seven million miles in 2010.

Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesperson Captain Tim Hull says the department is concerned about the rising prices but has yet to make any adjustments.

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Description: "When that number goes up over what we have budgeted, that's where we run into issues. So if it stays there for an extended period of time, that's when it becomes a problem."

He says they may need to put more miles on patrol cars and condense travel during officer training to save money.

From the state Capitol, I'm Helena Kooi.

Intro:	MoDOT says it plans to conduct business as usual despite rising gas prices caused by political unrest in Libya.
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Wrap: Gas prices in Missouri peaked above three dollars a gallon last week for the first time in two and a half years.

And there may not be relief in sight as the national average for gas reaches the highest price on record for February.

Back in Missouri, MoDOT spokesperson Jorma Duran says it is too soon to tell if the higher prices will affect the department.

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Description: "As of right now, I don't think anything is going to be affected. What we have decided to take on in terms of projects, paving, winter operations, you name it, those things are not going to change. We still need to provide the service to the taxpayers."

Duran says MoDOT builds wiggle room into their budget every year to accommodate fluctuations in gas prices.

From Jefferson City, I'm Helena Kooi.

Intro:	Missouri gas prices reached a two-year-high as political turmoil continues in Libya.
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Wrap: The price of fuel rose nearly twenty cents in Missouri this week.

But rising fuel costs aren't just a burden felt by consumers.

MoDOT spokesperson Jorma Duran says the department is feeling the pressure of higher gas prices but it is too soon to tell whether the extra cost will bust their budget.

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Description: "I think it is a little bit too early to see or feel a major effect. We just are aware of gas prices rising and we will adjust."

Duran says MoDOT has to get its projects done even if they have to pay a little bit more for gas.

From the state Capitol, I'm Helena Kooi.