JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, and Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City, today introduced legislation which calls for a temporary one-cent sales and use tax dedicated specifically to the transportation needs of cities, counties and the state system. Senate Joint Resolution 16 would raise an estimated $7.9 billion in new transportation funding would be generated during the 10-year life of the temporary sales and use tax.

“As policy-makers, it is our job to put forth ideas for funding transportation infrastructure. This legislation, which, if passed, is expected to generate and support tens of thousands of boots-on-the-ground jobs,” said Sen. Kehoe. “Good, safe and reliable transportation infrastructure is foundational for Missouri’s economy. If we don’t have it, we fall behind. If we cannot maintain it, we fall behind. When approved by the citizens of Missouri, this will allow us to have and maintain safe and reliable transportation infrastructure into the future, attract new folks to our communities, and make it easier for businesses to get their products out to the world.”

The legislation calls for 10 percent of the new revenue to be distributed to cities and counties for local transportation purposes. The tax would not be collected on medicine, groceries or gasoline, and would expressly prohibit any toll roads from being established on existing highways for the duration of the tax period.

“This visionary proposal sets the stage for a much better transportation system,” said Sen. McKenna. “The system we hand down to our children could be much safer with shoulders on rural highways, stronger bridges and more capacity to reduce congestion on overcrowded highways.”

The bill requires annual reports by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to detail projects, budgets and timelines regarding the use of new revenues. Revenue from the tax can be used on transportation projects only and cannot be diverted.

Should SJR 16 pass the Legislature, the proposal will be placed before Missouri voters for approval.