Arizona voters could be asked to approve boost in state's gas tax

PHOENIX — State lawmakers took the first steps this afternoon to asking voters to hike what they pay every time they fill up their cars and trucks.

On a 7-1 margin the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approve a measure to place a dime-a-gallon hike in the state's gasoline tax on the 2018 ballot. If approved, it would be the first hike in the current 18 cent tax since 1991.

HCR 2011 would also impose a similar increase on the 26-cent tax paid by heavy duty diesel trucks.

"Nobody likes the three-letter word,” said Rep. Drew John, R-Safford. But he said all of his constituents realize there is a problem with the condition of Arizona roads due to the lack of funding.

Mike Racy who lobbies for everyone from Pima County to Tucson-based developer Diamond Ventures told lawmakers the situation is critical.

"The decaying infrastructure around the state, especially outside of Maricopa County, has reached crisis proportions,” he said.

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Tony Bradley, president of the Arizona Trucking Association, estimated that his members lose more than $500 million a year in this state alone in congestion delays. And that's just part of the problem caused by roads in poor quality.

"The maintenance costs are almost unquantifiable,” he said.

And David Martin, president of the Arizona chapter of Associated General Contractors said Arizona's rural roads are the fifth deadliest in the nation, a statistic he attributes to their condition.

Even Rep. Paul Mosley, R-Lake Havasu City, who voted against HCR 2011, said he does not question the pressing needs — and the need for higher taxes. He said Arizona's 18-cent levy is far below the national average of 31 cents.

But Mosley said he wants a more permanent solution than the dime-a-gallon hike — and the need to go back to voters for future increases. He wants the levy to be indexed so that it increases with the price of fuel.

Mosley also said any long-term solution needs to address the fact that there are people with electric vehicles who are using the roads without paying their fair share. Aside from paying no gasoline taxes, he said they can register a vehicle for just $10 a year; the first-year registration fee for a $30,000 sedan is $504, though it drops each year.