Jason Hall, the CEO of Greater St. Louis, Inc., issued the following statement today on SB 262, a bill that would raise transportation infrastructure funds in Missouri.

Recently, Greater St. Louis, Inc. testified in support of SB 262, a bill that would increase state investment in transportation infrastructure through the motor fuel tax. Sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz (R-Franklin), SB 262 would generate an additional $500 million in annual revenue to address Missouri’s infrastructure backlog.

Missouri’s motor fuel tax ranks next to last in the country, and it has been nearly 20 years since lawmakers enacted modifications to the state’s motor fuel tax law. SB 262 will allow our state to make critical investments in our transportation networks which is essential for economic stability and job growth. Failure to increase infrastructure funding in Missouri limits our ability to maintain global competitiveness, impacts the vitality of our workforce and business community, and puts Missourians’ lives at risk.

Greater St. Louis, Inc. is proud to partner with the Missouri Chamber and Missourians for Transportation Investment in this effort. The business community firmly believes that the transportation funding crisis impacts every sector of Missouri’s economy. The need for transportation funding is now, and Greater St. Louis, Inc. supports an immediate increase in transportation infrastructure investment in Missouri.