JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -Governor Jay Nixon says he wants to sign into law a small increase in Missouri's fuel tax.

The governor said Wednesday in his State of the State address that a bill from the Senate's transportation chairman is a fair way to pay for roadwork. Doug Libla, a Poplar Bluff Republican, has proposed increasing the tax by 1.5 cents-per-gallon for gasoline and 3.5 cents for diesel.

Nixon said roads aren't free and drivers should pay for updating the state's transportation system. He said shifting money from elsewhere in the budget would be patching potholes with money for cops and schools, which he opposes.

Nixon also called for a $5 million increase in port funding.