Straight Talk with Sam: Our Fair Share

STRAIGHT TALK WITH SAM
Volume 5, Issue 6 February 7, 2005
Our Fair Share

If someone offered you three quarters for a dollar bill you would probably pass on that offer. Unfortunately for Missourians the federal government offers you almost the same deal every year on the taxes you pay at the gas pump. I believe it is time Missouri roads started getting more.

Whenever you fill up your tank with gas you pay the federal gas tax. That revenue goes into the Federal Highway Trust Fund to pay for transportation improvements across the country. For every dollar Missouri contributes to this fund, only 92 and a half cents come back to improve our roads. You know as well as I do that our roads and bridges could use that extra investment.

I will sit on the House Committee for Transportation and Infrastructure this year when we reauthorize the transportation bill. I will work to increase the money coming back to Missouri from the federal gas tax. Not only is this increase needed, but it is fundamentally unfair that our tax dollars pay for roads and bridges in other states.

Missourians have paid their fair share in gas taxes and it is time they started getting their fair share in road improvements. I hope to use my position on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to increase the amount of funding returning to the state. Missourians know that you don't get something for nothing, but asking for our fair share of money in gas taxes seems like good old-fashioned common sense.

http://www.house.gov/graves/straighttalk/2005issue6.htm