Hold debate about gas tax increase during upcoming session

By Sioux City Journal

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It's time for the Iowa Legislature to take up discussion of an increase in the state gas tax.

In our view, the economy in Iowa has improved enough (for example, recently, the state revenue estimate was again revised up for this year and next year) to warrant full, robust debate during the upcoming legislative session. Gov. Terry Branstad and legislative leaders in the House and Senate should get behind it.

In all honesty, the gas tax position of Branstad, whose support for debate is key, is unclear to us.

As recently as October, Branstad appeared open-minded to a gas tax debate next year. In an Oct. 10 story filed by the Journal's Des Moines bureau, he told state lawmakers not to rule out a gas tax increase before members of the Governor's Transportation 2020 Citizen Advisory Commission made recommendations. Later in October, the commission recommended an increase in the tax of up to a dime.

Then last month, Branstad shifted gears, signaling support for a delay in discussion of the gas tax for one year in favor of finding $50 million in efficiencies and savings within the Department of Transportation.

We, of course, support efficiencies and savings (Who doesn't?), but finding inefficiencies and savings should be a continuing priority within all departments of state government each and every year, not a one-time goal, and needn't and shouldn't prevent a gas tax debate next year.

No one can reasonably dispute the transportation infrastructure challenges we face in Iowa. According to the DOT, the annual deficit between road and bridge needs and the revenue available to meet them is almost $1.5 billion; for “critical needs,” more than $200 million.

If the state wishes to properly meet its fundamental obligation to provide safe roads and bridges and adequately meet the need for a modern transportation infrastructure system crucial to future economic success, then it must stop putting off this discussion.

Raising a tax is not something we recommend easily. Still, the fact the Iowa gas tax has not been raised since 1989, the fact our gas tax ranks in the bottom third among states, the fact our unmet transportation needs are large and growing and the fact the burden of this tax is borne by visitors to Iowa as well as residents of the state all make an increase in this tax palatable.

By how much should the tax be raised? Good question. We recommend no specific amount today, but the proposal by the governor's commission strikes us as a good place to start the dialogue.

Within the last couple of years we have resisted the idea of a gas tax debate because of a poor state economy. However, continued strengthening of the economy in Iowa tells us the time for this discussion has arrived.

Put the gas tax on the table in 2012.

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