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Newsletter
January 24, 2008
HIGHLITES FROM THE SENATE
SENATOR MARK ZIEMAN
In his State of the State address, Governor Culver directed that the
Department of Economic Development formulate a plan to fund our
roads. An interim legislative study committee put together an
acceptable proposal that would have gone a long way in repairing our
roads.
The last time funding for our highways changed was in 1988. The gas
tax was raised from 16 cents to 20 cents per gallon. There in lies
the problem. The only way the road fund could receive more money
was if more miles were traveled, resulting in more fuel being
purchased. The tax is charged on a per gallon basis, not on the
dollar amount of the purchase.
The interim study committee’s proposal
attempts to accomplish, in part, four major objectives: 1) Raise
the gas and diesel tax 2 cents per gallon July 1 of this year and
another 2 cents in January of 2009; 2) Change the pickup
registration schedule; 3) Lengthen the time before the lowest
license plate fee is realized; and 4) Raise the lowest license
plate fee by $15. The Governor ill advisedly took the gas tax
proposal off the table.
Seldom have you heard me support an
increase in user fees. But, if you have traveled our roads, you
have discovered that it is imperative something be done. I am
asking the Governor to consider increasing the gas tax because not
doing so means funding for road improvements would fall only on the
backs of Iowans. Considering that 35% of large trucks and 15% of
all other vehicles traveling our roadways are from out of state, why
shouldn’t they be asked to help “pave the way”?
If the fuel tax was part of the
package, there would have been a chance to lower some current
registration fees. Another issue yet to be addressed is the wear
and tear of the new hybrid vehicles on our roads. They would travel
twice the miles, while paying half the user fee, due to their
reduced gas purchases. This is a complicated problem, and it would
be helpful if Governor Culver would provide some leadership in
finding a solution.
On the morning of Saturday, February
2, I will attend two forums. The first will be at 9:00 a.m. in New
Hampton at the Farm Bureau Building. Then at 10:30 a.m. I will be
at the Fireman’s Inn in Ridgeway. I hope to see you at one or both
on the 2nd.
Respectfully,
SENATOR MARK ZIEMAN
Senate District 8
For further information or clarification, please contact me at the
Capitol (515) 281-3371 or at my home (563) 864-3104.
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