Gas Tax Increase Clears Subcommittee

Sen. Tom Rielly (D-Oskaloosa) discusses a proposed increase to Iowa's gas tax

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The sound of a gas pump might mean more than just filling up your gas tank, it could also be filling the tank of the state’s highway fund.

There is now a bill working its way to committee; just out of subcommittee. If the bill were to be passed by both houses, eventually Iowans would be looking at a 5 cent increase for gas in 2013 and an additional 5 cents in 2014.

Every penny counts for many of us in today’s economic reality. One of the bills sponsors, Tom Rielly (D-Oskaloosa), says the thought of paying more at the pump isn’t something he would like to do, but he believes it’s necessary in order to get Iowa’s roads repaired and safe once again. “I’m thinking it’s been 23 years since we’ve actually had a vote on the gas tax. I don’t think anybody’s excited or wants to do it. I’m open to another idea, it’s just nobody has put forth an idea that is this fair, this effective, and gets people from outside Iowa paying their fair share.”

“I just know that our roads are in bad shape, and I used to chair the transportation committee. When I was chairing it, I get a say, I’d tell the DOT commission, ‘you need to keep our roads up’. It’s when all the money was going to the by-pass, 235, 65, 5 around Des Moines and going to the Quad Cities; us rural people were just not being treated right. But they didn’t listen, so now we’re out of money”, was Rich Arnold’s (R-Russell) thoughts on the state of the roads and how they have gotten into their current condition.

Tim Albrecht, Communications Director for Governor Branstad stated that, “The governor believes we must first act on the $50 million in cost efficiencies identified by the DOT last month prior to any discussions regarding a motor fuel user fee increase.”

He went on to say, “The governor will need to see any final proposal for future road funding before indicating whether he will sign or veto the legislation.”