A bill that could allow Joplin voters to increase the city's lodging tax to help pay for repairs to Memorial Hall will be scheduled for a hearing after the Missouri Legislature convenes in January.

Rep. Lane Roberts, R-Joplin, prefiled the bill Dec. 1 on behalf of a proposal by a community group, Friends of Memorial Hall. The group has identified several possible sources of funding for a proposed $16.7 million renovation of the 100-year-old war memorial at 212 W. Eighth St. Those possibilities include raising the city's lodging tax from 4% to 6% under an agreement with Joplin city officials that the added tax collections would go to the building's renovation. The building was dedicated for the use of veterans organizations and commemorates those killed in war, including the Spanish-Americ

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