Missouri lawmakers are proposing a 2-cent gas tax increase as a step toward easing a projected funding shortfall that officials warn could result in the deterioration of many roads and bridges.
Similar proposals considered Tuesday by the full Senate and by a House committee would raise the state's 17-cent fuel tax to 19 cents a gallon in January 2016.
That would bring in about $55 million annually for the transportation department. It would allow the state to match all of its expected federal funds in 2017. But the increase would not be enough to match all federal funds in 2018.
Supporters say the proposed tax increase is a first step toward better transportation funding.
Missouri voters last year rejected a proposed three-quarter cent sales tax to fund transportation.