Iowa House Transportation Chairman Josh Byrnes says the ten cent per gallon fuel tax legislation being proposed should be enough to meet infrastructure upkeep needs.
Byrnes says Iowa hasn’t had a gas tax increase since 1989 and the state’s infrastructure needs are growing with road and bridge deterioration occurring rapidly. He says he was encouraged by a recent meeting he had with County Supervisors on what this legislation would mean for them if it passes.
Brynes says there’s great support for the tax increase for roads and bridges from leadership in both houses of the state legislature as well as the Governor. He says if nothing is done for bridges alone, the results could be devastating.
Byrnes adds that 15 percent of this fuel tax will be paid for by out of state drivers as the state is serviced by Interstates 35, 80 and 29 and the avenue of saints.