Tax Increase To Fund Road And Bridge Improvements Moves Forward In Louisiana House

Louisiana voters will need to rally their representatives over the next few days and let them know which is the lesser of two evils. Which would you prefer, paying higher sales and gas taxes in exchange for better roads and bridges or keeping the tax rates the same and continuing to drive on roads and bridges that need repair. In a nutshell that is what Louisiana House members will  be debating over the next few days.

Legislation proposed by Karen St. Germain of Plaquemines moved through the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday. There were two tax bills that were being considered, both brought to the committee by St. Germaine. One issue was to raise Louisiana's gas tax from .20 cents per gallon to .30 cents per gallon. The other would be to increase the state's sales tax by one percent with this money to be dedicated to certain road and bridge projects.

St. Germain told the Louisiana Radio Network her reasoning for sponsoring two bills that would increase taxes and fund road improvements.

"You can't get to the hospital and you can't get to school without a road.  And one that is actually usable."

Under St. Germain's proposals the gas tax increase would generate up to $300 million dollars for state road and bridge improvements.  The sales tax revenue would be more specifically targeted to provide for particular road and bridge improvements across the state. Both pieces of legislation will now move before the full house for debate.