Op-ed: Proposed Amendment 7 Is Bad Policy

Today, the St. Louis Business Journal printed my commentary on why the proposed Amendment 7, which would implement a 0.75-cent sales tax to pay for Missouri’s roads, is bad policy.

The op-ed corrects some of the misconceptions that exist about Missouri’s highway system, particularly the idea that the state’s roads and bridges are “crumbling.” While Missouri’s transportation infrastructure can improve in many areas, the fact is that the highway system is in good shape whether you compare it to other states or simply the condition of Missouri’s roads 10 years ago. There is no crisis that should scare Missouri voters into supporting a policy that is destructive and inequitable.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) does have a funding problem, but paying for highways based on how much people shop, instead of how much they drive, is unfair and economically unsound. A better solution is to raise the gas tax or implement tolls on major highways.