Republicans in the House of Representatives have proposed raising the gas tax in the state to help fund roads and infrastructure improvements. The 4-cent increase would be the first in more than a decade.
House Democrats oppose a tax increase, saying the state has enough of a surplus to spend money on roads without raising taxes. Rep. Dan Forestal, D-Indianapolis, said in a recent interview a tax increase was a non-starter for Democrats.
It’s as if the Dems and the GOP changed personalities.
Then Gov. Mike Pence in his State of the State address sided with the Democrats, saying infrastructure improvements should be made without a tax increase. It’s a strange pairing indeed. And they’re wrong.
The best position for Hoosiers belongs to the House Republicans. The modest gas tax increase would be a hardly noticed, long-term source of funding for infrastructure. Use part of the surplus for helping the most vulnerable Hoosiers or for education, while leaving a big chunk in place to guard against an economic downturn.
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