Legislators in both the Iowa Senate and House have approved an increase in the state’s gas tax and will be putting proposed legislation to their respective transportation committees, according to a report in the Sioux City Journal.
Three senators approved the measure Feb. 11, with five members of the House approving it the following day.
The plan has bi-partisan approval and is backed by Gov. Terry Branstad, and could funnel at least $200 million into road construction projects, according to the report.
The annual shortfall for highway projects is estimated at $215 million. Gas tax supporters, the report continued, believe it is “the most fair and equitable way to generate funds for road construction,” because it is a user fee and is “legally protected for use only on road projects.”