I70 Toll Opposition

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Intro:	Missouri's trucking industry voiced opposition to making I70 a toll road.
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Wrap: Missouri's Transportation Department has promoted turning I70 into a toll road to fund its renovation.

But at a Joint Transportation Committee hearing, the idea came under attack from the Missouri Motor Carriers Association President.

Tom Crawford said tolls amounted to a tax increase:

Actuality:	CRAW.WAV
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Description: "I think we're treading on very dangerous ground as a state if we try to put a four-billion-dollar tax increase in place without a vote of the people."

Representatives from the engineering and construction industries supported the toll booths.

They said the change would provide more jobs along I70 in Missouri.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Mark Hodges.

Intro:	Representatives from Missouri's trucking industry voiced opposition to tolls on I70.
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Wrap: Lawmakers have debated the future of I70 in Missouri for years.

And legislators have talked about renovations to the road for more than a decade.

Now, Missouri's transportation department wants to turn the interstate into a toll road.

Construction and engineering representatives at the Joint Transportation Committee Hearing said the project could create jobs within the state.

But Missouri Motors Association president Tom Crawford said tolling is the wrong solution.

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Description: "Tolling is not a feasible option for many roads in Missouri. These user-pay systems will put Missouri back in the mud."

However, even those opposed said that something needs to be done soon to fund the state's infrastructure.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Mark Hodges.

Intro:	Members of the public weighed in on a potential plan for I70 at the state Capitol.
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Wrap: The future of I-70 is hanging in the balance.

But legislators and lobbyists agree that something needs to be done to fund the deteriorating interstate.

A proposal to make the road into a privately-run toll system faced sharp criticism from Ron Leone, executive director of the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association.

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Description: "Let's be frank, we're making public assets into profit centers. And again, is that good public policy? Is it smart to allow private companies to make a profit on public assets?"

The committee has heard testimony from the public for the past few days.

But a plan for the interstate isn't a bill in the House or Senate just yet.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Mark Hodges.