Unfortunately, he forgot to tell us what happened to phase one. The governor had a laundry list of efficiency measures recommended by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation. But he never pressured the legislature to enact them. Proponents of a gas tax increase argue that it hasn t been raised in ten years. Just because a tax hasn t been changed in a long time is no excuse to raise it.
Lawmakers have a tendency to raise the gas tax in spurts.
From 1977-1991, the gas tax was raised six times in fourteen years. This latest proposal is most likely the beginning of a string of gas tax hikes. The 7- cent proposal is also only the state gas tax. There is talk of allowing regions and other local entities to raise their gas taxes. We will all be seeing more than just a 7-cent increase.