Gov. Butch Otter says there's still time for lawmakers to pass a transportation tax increase this year, and he's holding out hope that around $150 million of his proposed increases will be approved by the Legislature, the AP reports. So far, two of the six bills in Otter's transportation package have been killed. Otter told the Associated Press today that the bulk of his plan to raise another $174 million a year for transportation by 2014 still could pass. Otter still has proposals pending to raise the gas tax two cents a year over the next five years and to hike car and truck registration fees. He said the state transportation system is "anemic on revenue" and it would be irresponsible not to raise funding.

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