Highway Commission leader offers plan to generate $7.9 billion for roads

Missouri Highway Commission Chairman Rudy Farber Thursday proposed a plan to generate $7.9 billion in highway improvements during the next decade.

To finance the plan, Farber recommended a temporary 1-cent sales tax increase that would end after 10 years.

The proposal would be placed on the ballot for Missouri voters to decide the issue.

Farber's plan would sustain about 270,000 jobs in Missouri during the next 10 years. He unveiled the proposal Thursday during a transportation conference sponsored by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, attended the event. He earlier indicated support for such a measure.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.