Missourians could pay additional sale taxes for transportation improvements

See Related Stories

Intro:	Missourians could get a vote in a penny per dollar tax increase, under a measure presented by the House Transportation Committee.
RunTime:	0:34
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The 10 year tax increase would help fund transportation projects.

Dave Nichols, Director of Missouri Department of Transportation says the measure would help improve all forms of transportation.

Actuality:	NICHOLS1.WAV
Run Time:	00:10
Description: "It isn't just about roads and bridges. Although that will be a big part of it, it's about all modes of transportation. Transit, rail, ports, aviation all those different type of bike-ped facilities etcetera."

but a St. Louis City Representative signals opposition. She says the increase would add additional taxes to residents living in St. Louis or Kansas City.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Ke'yanna Johnson.

Intro:	After an overwhelming vote, The House Transportation Committee has voted to approve a plan that would increase the state sales tax, only one Democrat objected.
RunTime:	0:27
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: St. Louis City Representative, Karla May voted against the 10 year measure that would fund transportation projects. She says the tax increase would add additional taxes for St. Louis and Kansas City residents.

Actuality:	KMAY.WAV
Run Time:	00:06
Description: " I know Kansas City is about to implement a sales tax as well, so this is going to be on top of that sales tax."

But a St. Louis construction group says the tax increase could provide more jobs for Missourians.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Ke'yanna Johnson.

Intro:	The House Transportation Committee has voted to approve a plan that would increase state sales tax for the funding of transportation projects.
RunTime:	0:37
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Dirk Elspermen, Chief operating officer of Tarlton Corporation says the tax increase would provide more job opportunities.

Elspermen says more than five-thousand construction jobs have been lost in St. Louis because of the condition of the economy.

Actuality:	ELSPER.WAV
Run Time:	00:12
Description: "We've dropped from 17 and a half million hours in construction work down to about 9.4 million hours a year."

But St. Louis City Representative, Karla May says an increase would make St. Louis and Kansas City residents pay more taxes.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Ke'yanna Johnson.