Gas tax hike takes another step closer to law

DES MOINES - A 10-cent increase in Iowa's gas tax was approved Tuesday by a committee of a dozen state lawmakers.

The Iowa Senate's Transportation Committee passed the proposal 9-3, with one Democrat and two Republicans opposed.

'We're optimistic that we have support (among lawmakers). We've worked really hard to educate the public on the need,” said Sen. Tod Bowman, D-Maquoketa, the committee chairman. 'We have established the reason why we need to do it.”

The proposal is an attempt to help cover the estimated $215 million annual shortfall in the state's road construction and repair budget. States across the country are dealing with reduced road construction budgets as vehicles become more fuel-efficient and people drive less.

'I think folks are hearing from people on both sides, but I think there's the support that we need to pass it,” Bowman said.

The bill moves now to the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which must approve any tax-writing legislation. Bowman said he was told that meeting could take place later this week.

If the bill is approved there, it will be eligible for debate in the full Senate.

But Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, has indicated he will not bring the bill to the floor unless it has sufficient support from both parties.

The party split in Tuesday's committee vote was 6-1 by Democrats and 3-2 by Republicans.

Bowman said he is confident Senate Democrats will support the measure.

Sen. Tim Kapucian, R-Keystone, the ranking Republican on the Transportation Committee, said support from Senate Republicans does not yet meet Gronstal's standard.

'We still got some work to do to bring some of my fellow colleagues on board, but we're getting real close,” he said. 'We're hearing more and more from constituents, and a lot of them see the need out there and are letting us know.”

Kapucian said he is optimistic his caucus will eventually support the proposal.

'It's going to happen. I just don't know how long it's going to take,” he said.

Sen. Chris Brase of Muscatine was the only Democrat to vote against the bill Tuesday. Brase said he would have preferred a phased-in approach over an instant 10-cent increase, and he expressed doubts with the proposal's long-term effectiveness.

'We have people in poverty rates, we have low-income people. This is a hard hit on them initially,” he said. 'And it's a temporary fix, in my opinion.”

Two advocacy groups that oppose the measure - Iowans for Tax Relief and Americans for Prosperity - were represented at the meeting. Jeff Patch, a spokesman for Americans for Prosperity, said the group will continue to encourage the public to press their legislators to vote against the increase.

The House Transportation Committee will consider a similar bill Wednesday.