Parson vouches for fuel tax increase, workforce investment

Gov. Mike Parson on Monday voiced his support for a proposal to increase Missouri’s fuel tax, calling it a long-overdue step that would move the state forward.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever openly supported any kind of fee, any kind of tax in my career,” said Parson, a Republican, during an address at the annual Missouri Community Betterment conference.

Proposition D on the November ballot would raise the state’s gas tax from 17 cents to 27 cents per gallon by 2022.

At the conference, which this year focused on the theme “Rural Rally,” Parson also addressed a frequent topic — workforce development. He applauded state investment in education and called for solutions to prepare the state’s incarcerated population for work upon release from prison.

Read more: Columbia Missourian