Higher gas taxes and some new vehicle fees are among the recommendations of a legislative task force on road funding.
The panel has laid out a menu of a dozen options, including raising gas taxes to cover inflation since the last increase 14 years ago — and indexing the tax to inflation going forward. The panel also proposes a flat registration fee for all vehicles, an increase in the state’s tire disposal fee, and a new usage fee for electric and alternative-fuel vehicles which pay little or no gas tax.
The committee says legislators should “explore” imposing tolls on interstates and state highways. And the panel is suggesting expanding bonding options, and using electronic tools to enforce truck weight limits more strictly.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville) says he’s hopeful the House and Senate will not only approve a plan, but be close to unanimous. He notes legislators were nearly unanimous when they passed property tax reform in 2008.
The task force report notes the 19 dollars a month the average Hoosier pays for roads is about a third of the average cable bill. Kenley says the gas tax increase would raise that by about 13 dollars a month.
(story from Network Indiana)
Click play to hear a podcast on the talks from the First Task Force gathering held on Monday December 19, 2016