Gas Tax Increase In Works

Reps. Jason Monks, R-Meridian, and Greg Chaney, R-Caldwell, pitched their transportation funding bill to the House Transportation Committee this afternoon. It calls for a temporary five-cent gas and diesel tax increase; a 3 cent per gallon transfer fee; an annual $65 “fair share surcharge” on hybrid cars and $120 on electric vehicles; and shifting a portion of the growth in the state’s general fund revenue to road funding when revenue grows by 4 percent or more in a year. As those shifts occurred, the gas tax would notch back down to its current level. The two say their plan would raise $68.7 million the first year, and $81.5 million once the funding shift was triggered for the first time/ Betsy Russell , Eye on Boise. More here .

Question: Do you consider a state gas tax increase inevitable this year?