Letter to the Editor: Building roads will take much more than Prop B offered

Voters in Missouri soundly defeated proposition B with 73 percent of the vote. Prop B was a $511 million tax plan that was passed and put on the ballot by the legislature. It included a 1/2-cent sales tax and a 4-cent gas tax. I opposed this proposal because it didn't stop the diversion, improve accountability or commit to keeping the promises of the past.

The problem we have in Missouri is a lack of trust. I have tried to tell the transportation leaders that the voters will approve nothing until we gain their trust back. That will take some major reforms in how the Missouri Department of Transportation does business and a guarantee that the money will actually go for roads.

Director of MoDOT, Henry Hunger-beeler, has stated that MoDOT needs almost $1 billion in new dollars each year in order to do all the things Missouri voters have been promised. I know many voters won't like to hear this, but Henry is right. I have studied this issue for the last three years and to build all the roads we need and want, it is going to take around $800 million to $1 billion a year. Something has to be done and it is going to take more money, but I will not support any new taxes until I get the needed reforms, as well as a commitment to actually build the roads promised.

Many of the supporters of Prop B have asked me what reforms or conditions I need in order to support a tax. Basically, it comes down to five things.

1. We need to reform how the commission is appointed. Every two years each party in the Senate nominates six names for the governor. He then will pick two names from those lists. One will be a Democrat and one a Republican. Both parties have been guilty of stacking the commission with their people who have only watched out for their special interests. Republican governors have tended to pick rural commissioners and only token Democrats. Democratic governors have tended to pick urban commissioners and only token Republicans. This kind of bipartisanship will ensure that everyone is treated fairly no matter which party the governor is from.

2. Make highway commissioners like judges exclude them from the political process. Over the past 10 years commissioners have held and attended fundraisers for both parties. Both Gov.'s Carnahan and Ashcroft have had top party activists as highway commissioners. This is obviously something that has not helped us build highways in an objective manner

3. Stop the diversion. We need to make sure that every dollar earmarked for highway is used for highway. Too often in the past, the Department of Revenue and the auditor's office have skimmed money from MoDOT's budget.

4. More accountability. MoDOT and the commission need to be more accountable to the people. We should have them come to the legislature each year and show the projected project list for the upcoming year. We would not be able to make any changes, but only be able to reject the plan. This would keep us from picking out roads and allow your representatives to have more input.

5. Pass a tax for only five years. This is the best way to hold MoDOT and the highway commission accountable. If we pass a tax it should have to be sent back to the people for another vote in five years.

Most voters agree that something must be done to fix Missouri roads. But with the defeat of Prop B, it will be another year before the legislature can meet and look at this issue again. We need to overhaul the departments and eliminate the waste. If you have a bucket that's full of holes and you are losing water, you don't pour in more water. You have to fix the holes.

I am dedicated to working with the governor, highway commission, MoDOT, farm bureau and my fellow legislators to pass the necessary reforms that will gain the trust and confidence of Missouri voters. It is time we move forward to build the roads we desperately need. We can save lives and promote economic activity if we all work together. I believe Missourians will support a transportation package that addresses their concerns.

Rod Jetton

Marble Hill

State Rep., 156th district