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SALT LAKE CITY — A proposal to increase Utah's gas tax 10 cents per gallon received preliminary approval in the Senate on Thursday as lawmakers continue to talk about the best way to raise money for crumbling roads.
"Is this bill perfect? No, it's not yet. I'm sure we will make a change or two," said Sen. Kevin Van Tassell, R-Vernal, the sponsor of SB160.
Adding 10 cents to the gas tax would provide $130 million for maintenance, including $40 million for local roads. The cost is expected to be $48 annually for someone driving 12,000 miles a year at 25 miles per gallon.
Utah last raised its 24.5 cents-per-gallon fuel tax in 1997.
Legislators are looking at several options to generate revenue for road and bridge repairs.
Rep. Johnny Anderson, R-Taylorsville, proposes in HB362 to convert the state's per-gallon gas tax to a sales tax. The intent is to set a tax rate that would be revenue-neutral in the first year but rise as gas prices go up. The bill would also set limits on how high and low gas prices could go with the tax.
