JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, wants residents of northeast Missouri to know about meetings this week relating to Amendment 7, which will be on the Aug. 5 ballot.

“This will be the public’s best chance to learn about the future of funding infrastructure improvements in Missouri,” Sen. Munzlinger said. “The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) plans to meet with people throughout the state. I encourage everyone who can attend either the hearing in Hannibal or Kirksville to do so, even if you don’t live in either of those towns. Amendment 7 affects all of us, and learning more about the need for transportation upgrades is crucial to make an informed vote in the upcoming primary election.”

On Aug. 5, Missouri voters will decide on Amendment 7, a ballot measure that would temporarily raise Missouri's sales tax by of three-quarters of a cent. The money would go toward transportation improvements across the state. In addition, a project list will be created before the election, so Missourians can see what their tax dollars would fund.

MoDOT has coordinated two open house meetings in northeast Missouri to ask residents to take a look at the local priorities and share their thoughts and insights.

• Wednesday, June 11, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., at the Mark Twain Museum in downtown Hannibal; and
• Thursday, June 12, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., at Truman State University Student Union in Kirksville.

The public is invited to attend the meetings at any point during the designated times to speak to regional planning partners and MoDOT representatives. No formal presentations will be made.

For information about MoDOT’s entire meeting schedule, the draft transportation improvement list and an online comment form, log on to www.modot.org/movingforward. To learn more about Amendment 7 and other ballot initiatives scheduled for the Aug. 5 election, go to www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2014ballot. And, for more information about Sen. Munzlinger, log on to www.senate.mo.gov/Munzlinger.