WASHINGTON, D.C. (WHBL/KFIZ) - One of the things former 6th District Congressman Tom Petri called for was looking for a long term way to fund the nation’s transportation projects.
His successor, Congressman Glenn Grothman, says the latest transportation bill will fund those needs for the next five years. "Right now in this bill, we're not going to have a problem on the federal level for at least five years."
He says the current gas tax, which has remained at just over 18-cents a gallon for regular vehicles since 1997, is a fair way to fund transportation needs. He says the gas tax works as is because the more you ride, the more you pay. Also, heavier vehicles like trucks are paying more because they are doing more damage to the roads. He says the gas tax seems to be fairer than alternative taxes.
But he says that doesn’t mean we might not have to reexamine the issue in the future. Come 2020, if cars become more fuel efficient, then the issue of the gas tax or other forms of raising transportation funds will need to be considered.