Tom Warne Report, 25 January 2013
Drivers in Wyoming could soon be paying more at the gas pumps under a bill approved by the House to raise the state’s fuel tax rate by 10 cents. The House voted 35-24 on Friday, Jan. 18 to advance the measure to the Senate, which would increase the gas tax to 24 cents per gallon. The 14-cent-per-gallon tax rate has not been increased since 1998.
Before the vote, House Transportation Chairman David Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, said costs for road construction have soared in the past 15 years and something must be done to help with transportation funding.
“If we kick the can down the road any further, one day there will not be a road anymore to kick it down,” Zwonitzer told lawmakers.
Rep. Gerald Gay, R-Casper, said there are other options “lurking out there,” although he did not specify what these options are.
The Wyoming Department of Transportation reports that the tax increase boost revenue by about $72 million in its first year. About $47.4 million of that would be earmarked for state highways, $16.4 million would go to counties, $6.7 million to cities and state parks would get the remaining $1.2 million.
The “other options” are limited and just as unappealing. TW