Jefferson City, MO – Missouri's gas tax will likely be increasing for the first time in decades. The House approved legislation that would raise the tax on gasoline and diesel fuel by 12.5 cents per gallon.
The increase would happen over the next five years. Missouri has the second-lowest gas in the US at 17.42 cents per gallon (CPG), behind only Alaska at 13.77 CPG, according to TaxFoundation.org.
Funds would be used to maintain and upgrade the state's roads and bridges. The measure has been sent to the desk of Governor Mike Parson, who's expected to sign it.
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Meanwhile, there was strong debate in the Missouri House on whether to rename a portion of Interstate 55 in Cape Girardeau in honor of the late talk show host Rush Limbaugh.
"Doing this is honoring the good the Limbaugh family has done for our state," Republican Shamed Dogan argued in favor of the bill. "It's recognizing his importance in the life of our country."
However, Democrat Emily Weber disagreed.
"He was all too happy to mock and ridicule people he saw as second-class citizens."
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"This is not about partisan sparring. This is foolishness. I'm going home because you all are making me literally sick," Rep. Raychel Proudie added.
The legislation also includes renaming St. Louis area roads for Police Captain David Dorn and Blues legend Bobby Plager.
The bill now heads to the Missouri Senate.