MO House committee endorses proposed gasoline tax increase

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Missouri House committee unanimously endorsed a proposal to increase the state’s gasoline tax.

The House Transportation Committee’s vote on Monday sends the measure to the full House, where some Republicans oppose raising taxes. If it’s approved, Missouri’s gasoline tax would increase 12.5 cents over five years, resulting in a tax of 29.5 cents per gallon. It would be the first increase since 1996.

House Speaker Rob Vescovo, a Republican from Arnold, has previously said he’s against tax hikes. The Senate approved the measure in March. Supporters say the state needs the revenue to repair deteriorating infrastructure.

Newton County to vote on ambulance district tax levy rate

NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. – Voters in Newton County, Missouri will head to the polls Tuesday, April 6 to vote on a new tax levy rate for the county’s ambulance district.

The current levy rate is not quite 19 cents per 100 dollars of assessed valuation. If approved, the new rate would be 35 cents. Officials with the ambulance district say the levy raise would help pay for new equipment and provide more competitive wages for the districts workers.

“Because of television and things a lot of people think we are part of the fire department,” said Newton County Ambulance Chief Rusty Tinney. “We’re a completely different entity. You know there are more fire trucks and police cars in this county than there are ambulances. Again we have six ambulances to cover the entire county.”

Carl Junction to reintroduce use tax on April ballot

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. – The City of Carl Junction, Missouri is reintroducing a use tax on the April ballot.

If passed, it would tax online purchases at an equal amount to the city’s sales tax which is 3%. The measure failed in the 2020 election. City officials say it’s needed to fund improvements to city parks, sidewalks and streets.

“To generate a little bit more revenue for the city we have several protects that have been ongoing,” said Carl Junction City Administrator Steve Lawver. “Over several years we just don’t have the funds to complete, and we need to get those completed.”

Residents can learn more about the proposed use tax at a meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m. at Randy’s Drive-In. Municipal election day in Missouri is on April 6, 2021