Mo. House approves transportation sales tax

See Related Stories

Intro:	Despite the fact residents in Missouri haven't voted to raise sales taxes for decades, Tuesday morning the Missouri House approved a measure which would ask citizens to do just that.
RunTime:	0:38
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Residents would vote on a temporary one cent sales tax increase to fund the state's highway system.

Missourians would have to vote every 10 years on whether or not to continue the tax.

St. Louis County Democratic Representative Rory Ellinger said the increase would put more of a burden on the elderly and the poor.

Actuality:	ELLNGER.WAV
Run Time:	00:06
Description: "the state as a whole may prosper, but it should not be on the backs of the poor or the elderly."

Sponsor Republican Representative Dave Hinson said the poor and elderly would see a great benefit from the tax because the revenue would help to improve and expand public transportation.

The measure must survive another vote in the Senate before making it to a ballot.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Taylor Beck.

Intro:	The Missouri House approved a sales tax hike Tuesday which a St. Louis County representative says is unfair to the poor and elderly.
RunTime:	0:38
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Residents would vote on a temporary one cent sales tax increase to fund the state's highway system.

Missourians would have to vote every 10 years on whether or not to continue the tax.

Sponsor Republican Representative Dave Hinson said Missouri needs the money because the state has twice as many roads as Kansas and Illinois put together, but with less funding.

St. Louis County Democratic Representative Rory Ellinger said the increase puts too much of a burden on the elderly and the poor.

Actuality:	ELLNGR.WAV
Run Time:	00:08
Description: "this is an exact example of seniors being asked to fund the next generation."

Missouri voters haven't approved a sales tax increase in decades.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Taylor Beck.

Intro:	After last week's heart attack, Democratic Columbia Representative Chris Kelly made his return to the Missouri House Tuesday.
RunTime:	0:31
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Kelly returned to the chamber six days after his heart attack and surgery.

He cracked jokes and thanked the members of the House for their support and kind words.

Actuality:	KELLY6.WAV
Run Time:	00:13
Description: "I got a lot of flowers from members and other people, and I used to think of them as a gesture of kindness and friendship, but after talking to my nutritionist I now understand they are lunch."

Kelly credited Republican Representative Jim Neely on saving his life when he forced Kelly to go to the hospital last week when he was experiencing chest pains.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Taylor Beck.