Nixon proposes gas tax increase, Kolkmeyer disappointed
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Nixon proposes gas tax increase, Kolkmeyer disappointed

Date: January 20, 2016
By: Shannon Shaver
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
A gas tax increase proposal in the State of the State address left the House Transportation Chairman upset.
RunTime: 0:46
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Gov. Nixon plans to fix the state's infrastructure by increasing gasoline taxes.

House Transportation Committee Chairman Glen Kolkmeyer said he is disappointed Nixon did not allocate any extra money for the state's transportation department.

During his State of the State address Nixon attacked a ballot issue Missouri voters rejected, saying those using the roads should be paying for them.

Actuality:  NIXONG.WAV
Run Time: 00:12
Description: I've been clear about my position, if you use the roads you should help pay for them. What I don't support is taking the money that should go to schools, law enforcement and mental health, and using it to patch potholes.

The Gov. said since gas prices are the lowest they've been in a decade, it's the time to raise taxes. He did not offer a comprehensive proposal.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Shannon Shaver.

Intro: 
Gov. Nixon's proposed gas tax increase as the solution to transportation problems left the House Transportation Chairman disappointed.
RunTime: 0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Jay Nixon spent little time talking about transportation during his State of the State address, but he used that time to endorse a modest gas tax increase to fix roads and bridges.

House Transportation Committee Chairman Glen Kolkmeyer said he is not happy the state's transportation department did not receive any increases in Nixon's budget.

Actuality:  KOLK.WAV
Run Time: 00:13
Description: Well, I was disappointed that the only solution he had was through raising taxes. He was talking about giving 30 million here and 50 million here, and you know 30 million here and 50 million here. But none of that is going to MoDot.

Nixon said people driving on the roads should pay to maintain them.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Shannon Shaver.

Intro: 
The chair of the House transportation committee is upset with Nixon's decision to leave MoDot out of budget increases.
RunTime: 0:39
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: During his State of the State address Gov. Jay Nixon suggested a modest gas tax in order to move transportation forward in the state.

House Transportation Committee Chairman Glen Kolkmeyer said he is disappointed Nixon's only solution is a tax.

Actuality:  KOLKB.WAV
Run Time: 00:16
Description: I'm extremely disappointed that his 'Christmas list' didn't include MoDot. Sounded kinda like Bernie Sanders up there in all the social programs he's wanting to support the state, but taking care of our failing infrastructure was not one of them.
Nixon said Missouri's drivers should pay for the roads they use but he did not go over specifics.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Shannon Shaver.