In a historic win for Missouri’s transportation system and economic growth, lawmakers have passed a much-needed fuel tax increase for the first time since 1996. The following is a statement from Daniel P. Mehan, President and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry:<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a monumental achievement that will help ignite our state’s economic recovery. Senate Bill 262 will allow Missouri to spend an additional $500 million annually on road and bridge improvements across the state. It will have a $1.8 billion positive impact on our economy, increase earnings across the state by $722 million and create 17,000 jobs every year. The passage of this crucial legislation marks a tremendous effort by our Missouri Can’t Wait Coalition and the hundreds of businesses and individuals who joined us in support of funding our transportation future. It was incredible to see how this issue united business and labor, rural and urban interests, Republicans and Democrats alike. Passage of this bill is a huge step toward ensuring that Missouri remains a leading transportation hub in the Midwest. It will help our state meet the infrastructure needs of all Missourians \u2014 from major interstate repairs to local bridge replacements. We are grateful for Sen. Dave Schatz’s steadfast leadership on this issue in the Senate, Rep. Becky Ruth for carrying the legislation in the House, and for the Missouri General Assembly’s decisive action to send Senate Bill 262 to the governor’s desk.\u201d<\/p>\n
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