Lawmakers Consider Fuel Tax Increase - KGWN –Cheyenne, WY– Scottsbluff, NE News,Weather, Sports

Lawmakers Consider Fuel Tax Increase

How much does it cost you to fill up at the pump? Depending on how many gallons you buy, it could be anywhere from $50 to several hundred. Now, imagine tacking on an extra $.10 to each gallon. That's what some Wyoming lawmakers want to do with an additional state fuel tax.

The legislation, being considered by the Joint Revenue Interim Committee, would hike Wyoming's fuel tax by $.10 per gallon. Registration fees would also go up $10 for most vehicles. In total, it would generate just under $80 million, $49 million going to the state's highways.

Representative Pat Childers, R-Cody, supports the legislation. He claims the highways can't wait any longer. "If they're in poor condition, they're dangerous to traffic" he says.

Others oppose it. Maureen Bader with the Wyoming Liberty Group says it would hurt families. "Not only are they going to spend more on gas, but more on everything that's transported by truck" she says.

Most truck drivers are also against the additional fuel tax.

At this point, the legislation has only been recommended by the Legislature's Joint Revenue Interim Committee.  Representative Childers is a co-chair. He expects the committee to decide whether or not to sponsor the legislation in November.