Gas tax increase clears transportation committee

DES MOINES - A 10-cent increase of Iowa's gas tax has received another round of approval from state lawmakers.

The Iowa House's Transportation Committee on Wednesday approved the hike, 16-5.

Identical bills in the House and Senate will be heard Thursday by the tax-writing Ways and Means committees in each chamber. If the proposals pass those committees, they could be debated by the full House and Senate next week.

The proposal to raise the state's gas tax represents an effort to help cover the estimated $215 million annual shortfall in Iowa's road repair and construction budget. States across the country are dealing with similar shortages as vehicles become more fuel-efficient and people drive less.

'This is something that needs to be done for the state of Iowa,” said Rep. Josh Byrnes, R-Osage, chairman of the House Transportation Committee.

The Senate Transportation Committee passed its gas tax bill Tuesday. Thursday's Ways and Means votes will provide another glimpse into the level of support for the measure among lawmakers.

The legislation is the result of deliberations between Gov. Terry Branstad and top state lawmakers. Legislative leaders have said they will not support the proposal unless it has strong bipartisan support.

Democrats cast four of the five votes against the proposal in Wednesday's committee meeting.

'Some talked about different districts that they live in and what they're hearing from their constituents. Vote your conscience, vote your district,” said Rep. Jim Lykam, D-Davenport, the top Democrat on the House Transportation Committee.

Lykam said despite Wednesday's committee vote, a majority of House Democrats, including himself, favor increasing the gas tax.

'I support it because we can't stop the cities and counties from bonding (for road projects), and then it's going to go on property taxes,” Lykam said. 'I consider (the gas tax) a true user fee.”

Scott Newhard, a former state legislator who now lobbies for Iowa contractors, said he thinks the lawmakers and the governor will pass the gas tax increase this month.

'I believe there are going to be the sufficient votes to pass this, and I believe that the leaders of both caucuses will be working together to ensure that,” said Newhard, whose group favors a gas tax increase.