As Gas Prices Soar, One Missouri Senator Stands to Make Millions from the Gasoline Tax Hike He Demanded
Senator Dave Schatz threatened to block all Republican legislation in the recently ended Missouri legislative session unless his pet gasoline tax increased passed. Schatz is a Republican.
Schatz owns Schatz Underground of Villa Ridge, Missouri, a government contractor that installs cables and pipes under roads, highways, and public rights-of-way.
Schatz’s ultimatum was one of the most shameless and self-serving power-moves in recent Missouri history.
And Schatz got his way.
After hours of debate and negotiation, on the last full day of the session last week, the Missouri House agreed to pass the largest gasoline tax in the state’s history, raising the gas tax to 29.5 cents from 17.5 cents, more than a 40 percent increase.
