Ark. GOP leaders split on tax hike for highways

A proposed increase in Arkansas' sales tax that will go before voters next month to pay for highway improvements is chipping away at the anti-tax sentiment among the state's top Republican officials.

Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, U.S. Sen. John Boozman and other GOP officials say they'll vote for a proposed constitutional amendment adding a half-cent sales tax to pay for highways over the next decade. The support comes despite pledges by many of them to oppose tax increases.

Republican who support the tax say it'll help ease congestion in the state and boost economic development by improving the state's roads. GOP opponents say the state needs to look at options other than tax increases to pay for highways.