Key lawmakers were quick to dismiss recommendations for a new mileage-based fee and an increase in the gas tax to help pay for Wisconsin transportation projects.
The recommendations, made by the state’s Transportation and Policy Commission, were immediately shot down by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford.
Gov. Scott Walker, who wants more funding for roads, has already ruled out an increase in the gas tax, but he might consider other measures as part of the next state budget.
To address flat transportation revenues and keep projects on schedule, the commission’s recommendations would raise an additional $640 million a year for the construction and repair of roads, bridges, and rail lines.
Among its proposals are a 5-cent increase in the gasoline tax, to 37.9 cents per gallon, a 1.02 cent per mile charge on drivers of cars and light trucks after the first 3,000 miles, a 73% increase in the registration fee for commercial vehicles, and raising the cost of an eight-year driver’s license from $34 to $54.
