AASHTO Journal, 18 December 2015
The Permanent Joint Transportation Committee of the Alabama Legislature plans to hold five regional public meetings in January to consider raising the gasoline tax for the first time in 24 years, in order to increase funding for roadway improvements and maintenance.
AL.com reported the committee will meet in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa before the next legislative session convenes Feb. 2.
Gov. Robert Bentley told the Alabama Asphalt Pavement Association Dec. 11 that he would support an increase in the gasoline tax if the Legislature sent it to him, but would not lead the effort.
“We are paying less taxes for roads and bridges than we were 20 years ago because it’s based on volume and we have better mileage per gallon, and so we don’t get as much to try to repair the roads and bridges, and really build more,” Bentley told the group, according to AL.com.
Rep. Mac McCutcheon, who chairs the joint committee, told the news service the January meetings will help determine the level of need and costs for road projects ahead of preparing a revenue bill.
The service said the Legislature last raised the motor fuel user fee in 1992, when it raised it five cents a gallon to 16 cents. McCutcheon said that meant Alabama authorities were trying to build and maintain roads on 1992 dollars.
The executive director of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama said that group would support legislation to raise the gasoline tax next year. It has started a website, Drive Alabama, to help build support and plans to use social media to educate the public about the need for new money for road work.
The AAA motor club said average gasoline pump prices in Alabama were about $1.81 a gallon on Dec. 16.