As the Missouri State Legislature closes out its session today, it looks highly unlikely that a bill will pass that would have raised fuel taxes in order to pay for much-needed highway improvements.

The proposal from Gov. Bob Holden originally called for a half-cent sales tax and a 3-cent fuel tax increase. The fuel tax increase was reportedly aimed at getting the trucking industry to pay for the damage trucks do to state roads. However, the controversial measure was taken out of the bill, leaving the sales tax increase, which would be used to replace a transfer of $50 million from the state's general revenue fund to the highway department.
Senators spent more than four hours debating - and sometimes yelling - about the plan Wednesday night. Thursday, Sen. Bill Kenney, who controls the agenda of the Senate, told reporters he did not plan to return to the proposal before the 2001 session ends at 6 p.m. tonight. When asked by the bill's sponsor to allow a vote, Kenney said he would only consider it if the Senate finished all its other business first.
Senators also rejected an amendment Wednesday night that would have lowered speed limits and raised registration fees for heavy trucks.
Some Republican senators opposed the bill, saying voters would reject a tax increase.