(Spirit Lake)– Two state lawmakers that represent the Iowa Great Lakes at the statehouse in Des Moines say a possible increase in the the state’s gas tax is likely to be debated in the upcoming legislative session.
The issue is gaining attention as the cost of repairing and improving roads continues to soar. State officials say the needed improvements and upgrades far outweigh the amount of money that’s available.
State Senator David Johnson of Ocheyedan and Representative Mike May of Spirit Lake agree something will have to be done. May says there are a lot of critical needs in northwest Iowa, including the four-lane expansion of Highway 20 between Fort Dodge and Highway Four; straightening and widening Highway 86 between Highway Nine and the Minnesota border; a west bypass of Spencer; and resurfacing what he says is one of the worst highways in the state–Highway nine in Osceola county.
Having said that, May isn’t sure if he’d support a hike in the gas tax, saying he isn’t a tax advocate and would like to see other alternatives explored first.
Johnson agrees, saying if the gas tax is raised, that lawmakers should look for a corresponding decrease in taxes elsewhere.
