After raising vehicle registrations and other fees to help soothe a transportation budget shortfall—which still stands at $215 million annually—the Governor’s Transportation 2020 Citizen Advisory Commission gathered on June 17 to discuss a future path to take. Commission co-chair Nancy Richardson said there was a good chance that raising the gas tax for the first time since 1989 could go a long way at filling the budgetary hole. She pointed out each penny increase per gallon raises $23 million in revenue a year and only costs motorists $4.75.
However, the commission also is looking at alternative forms of funding to help account for the increase in fuel-efficient and electric cars out on the roadway.
“We need to make sure that all of those that use our transportation network pay a fair share toward it,” said Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad.
