We're No. 37 - Missouri ranks in bottom third of nation in new report | Law and order | stltoday.com

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When it comes to how well states serve their residents, a new report puts Missouri 13th from the bottom of the 50 states, primarily for falling short in categories such as crime, the economy and transportation. . . .

Missouri also ranked ninth for affordability.

But that affordability ranking also may have affected its 14th-worst state ranking in transportation.

At 17 cents per gallon, Missouri’s gasoline tax is among the lowest in the nation. Proponents of raising the tax, which hasn’t been changed since 1996, say the state is trying to maintain its highways in the 21st century using 20th-century funding levels.

Gov. Eric Greitens did not call for a motor fuel tax increase in his proposed budget, and attempts are underway to use general tax revenue to fix state roads in the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Illinois, by contrast, ranked 10th for infrastructure

According to the inaugural best states ranking issued by U.S. News & World Report on Tuesday, Illinois ranks 29th, with Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Minnesota topping the data-driven study as the top three states.

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We're No. 37 - Missouri ranks in bottom third of nation in new report | Law and order | stltoday.com