Logistics may keep road tax off ballot

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Logistics could make it tough to place a proposed transportation tax increase on the Aug. 6 ballot. Secretary of State Matt Blunt said several procedural steps must occur before the measure can be on the ballot.

First, the bill must be signed by the presiding officers of the House and Senate and submitted to the secretary of state's office. The problem is that the Legislature has adjourned until 1 p.m. May 28, when the House and Senate leaders plan to sign the bill. Blunt faces a 5 p.m. May 28 deadline to get the ballot language to local election officials.