Letter to the Editor: Highway Patrol will benefit from Proposition B passage

|tab|

As superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, I believe I must clear up some recent misconceptions surrounding the Patrol and Proposition B, the transportation tax on the Aug. 6, 2002 ballot.|ret||ret||tab|

Since its inception in 1931, the Patrol has drawn the great majority of its funding from the highway fund. This source of revenue is mandated in the state constitution and I believe it is the proper source of funding for highway-related enforcement and administrative activities for our agency.|ret||ret||tab|

Proposition B will provide additional funding for our primary funding source the state highway and transportation fund.|ret||ret||tab|

Also, since 1987, the state law limited the amount of money the Patrol could receive from the highway fund. This funding cap was removed this legislative session in House Bill 1196, which was signed into law by Gov. Holden. Proposition B also removes this cap, allowing the Patrol to potentially receive a larger share of funds than had been allowed in the past, while also ensuring that most of the increase to the transportation fund goes to build and improve roads and bridges.|ret||ret||tab|

Although it remains for the legislature to decide how much more funding the Highway Patrol would receive, the passage of Proposition B will provide the Patrol with the opportunity for additional funding, something Gov. Holden and I feel is vital to the future of our organization.|ret||ret||tab|

However, the greatest impact Proposi-tion B will have on the Patrol is not the potential for additional funding. Rather, the Patrol will benefit most from the enhancement of traffic safety that Proposition B will provide. The employees of the Highway Patrol spend millions of hours each year working on the state highways. Our primary mission is the safety of our citizens on our state's roadways.|ret||ret||tab|

Proposition B will help provide safer highways and it will help us reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes. Quality road and bridge engineering and strict enforcement go hand-in-hand to protect the safety of motorists. Our employees, whether they be road troopers, lab technicians, commercial vehicle officers, driver examiners or maintenance personnel, all share one vision: a safer Missouri for all of our citizens. |ret||ret||tab|

Col. Roger Stottlemyre|ret||ret||tab|

Superintendent of the Highway Patrol|ret||ret||tab|

[[In-content Ad]]