Among the many spending priorities being considered during Missouri's budget crunch is the construction and maintenance of highways. Contributing to overall shortfalls in state revenue is the fact that fuel consumption dropped 5 percent in 2009 from 2007 levels. The main source of highway funding is a 17-cent-a-gallon state tax on fuel. The less fuel purchased, the less revenue for highways.

At a Missouri Transportation Alliance meeting in Cape Girardeau last month, major highway needs for Southeast Missouri were reviewed, and considerable attention was given to the prospects for paying for those projects. Those attending the meeting were told Missouri will need up to $800 million more each year to meet demands on the highway system (5,600 miles of primary highways and 28,000 miles of secondary roads).

A 2002 measure to increase fuel taxes was defeated in a statewide vote. Voters in 2004 approved a $1.7 billion bond issue for highways to be repaid from motor vehicle sales taxes.

The big question, then, is how will Missouri raise the money to meet the future highway needs? As the state continues to struggle out of the recession, huge across-the-board spending cuts are anticipated. This isn't an easy problem, but it's one that needs serious attention.