State GOP leader: Iowa must rise above gas-tax politics

The words “interim study group” don’t tend to inspire “American Idol” interest from voters.

But State Rep. Rod Roberts, R-Carroll, said a pre-session committee eyeing the state’s transportation infrastructure needs promises to be closely watched as it begins meeting later this month.

“The public’s interest is even more focused on what we’re going to do because of the tragedy in Minneapolis,” Roberts, an assistant House Minority leader, tells Iowa Independent and the Carroll Daily Times Herald today.

The Interstate 35-west bridge collapse in the Twin Cities last month raised questions about the condition of bridges – and highways – nationally.

Roberts, a member of the Iowa House Transportation Committee, is one of eight lawmakers on the now high-profile interim panel reviewing potential revenue sources or solutions to what the Iowa Department of Transportation says is a $200 million shortfall in funding for vital roads and bridges projects.

A DOT “Time 21″ report has identified the $200 million annual need, and the Legislature last spring established a fund to fill it – but Time 21 is something of an empty piggybank at this point, with Roberts and his bipartisan committee taking one of the first swipes at coming up with potential revenue sources for state, county and local improvements.

The governor also is expected to put his plans for infrastructure into the mix in early 2008.

One obvious solution is an increase in the gas tax – something Roberts said should be on the table for discussion.

But Gov. Chet Culver has indicated he does not favor raising the gas tax for the benefit of the state’s highway needs, no doubt sensing the political pitfalls of shepherding through a $1-a-pack cigarette tax and a gas tax in consecutive sessions.

But the governor may not be reading the situation fully, Roberts said.

“Infrastructure is one of the very basic functions of government,” Roberts said.

Roberts said he has an open mind on a many options but believes the state should seek a multi-faceted approach rather than just burdening Iowans at the pumps.

That said, if Roberts can be convinced that a gas-tax hike  is needed, he would sign on to a recommendation for one even if it provides political cover for the Democratic governor.

“That would not be a political issue I would use against Governor Culver,” Roberts said.

Iowa’s current gas tax of 21 cents for traditional unleaded has not been raised since 1989. Every 1-cent increase would raise $22 million, and Roberts notes that a 9-cent hike would cover the DOT-identified, Time 21 needs.

Legislators also have other options such as increasing various license and registration fees.

Another more bold idea would be to create tolls on highway stretches and bridges.

While not proposing tolls, Roberts said it would make more sense to place them on bridges than roads.

“The public is more familiar with a bridge toll than a highway toll,” Roberts said.

In the end, Roberts said, he believes the public may be willing to accept a modest increase to the gas tax if it knows where the money is flowing.

Legislators could conceivably enshrine such certainties into a constitutionally protected account similar to the Road Use Tax Fund, which finances infrastructure under strict guidelines, Roberts said.