Missouri Lawmaker says his district favors a hike in the state gas tax

(Jefferson City)–A central Missouri lawmaker who represents a red district says his constituents “overwhelmingly favor” a gas tax increase. Rocheport

GOP State Representative Chuck Basye  says he’s polled his constituents three times:

Missouri’s 17-cent-a-gallon gas tax has stayed the same since 1996. The Senate Transportation Committee chairman has filed legislation to increase it from 17 to 19 cents, saying it would raise 144-million dollars annually for transportation.