Missouri Voters Will Decide 10 CPG Fuel Tax Increase

SaferMO.com is proposing a 10 cpg motor fuel tax increase to “fund the Highway Patrol”. The tax rate, if adopted in November by the voters of MO, would be phased in as follows: 17 cpg through 6/30/19; 19.5 cpg 7/1/19 through 6/30/20; 22 cpg 7/1/20 through 6/30/21; 24.5 cpg 7/1/21 through 6/30/22; and finally, 27 cpg 7/1/23 and after. The increase would raise $400 million annually when fully phased in and close the gap between Iowa and Missouri fuel excise taxes. Today Iowa’s gasoline taxes are 13+ cpg higher than Missouri’s and Iowa’s diesel taxes are 15+ cpg higher than Missouri.

Interestingly, in 2026, Missouri plans to start taxing all motor fuels the same (gasoline, diesel, electric, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas (CNG and LNG)). The Departments of Agriculture and Revenue will be charged with promulgating rules to implement this policy change, if the voters approve the tax increase.