Paulsen: Iowa Legislature won?t raise fuel tax

The top Republican in the Iowa House said Friday the Legislature won?t increase the fuel tax this year, despite persistent talk about such a move.

Speaking on the Iowa Public Television program, ?Iowa Press,? House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, noted that some lawmakers and groups have pushed hard for a fuel tax increase to pay for road and bridge work. That work won?t pay off this year, Paulsen said.

?You?ve been talking about that, not me,? said Paulsen. ?I think Iowans have been very clear on that.?

Rising fuel costs have made even discussing the issue difficult, said Paulsen, who said he drove around Des Moines earlier in the day keeping tabs on fuel costs.

?Driving here today, $3.68 is what I saw up on the sign,? said Paulsen. ?They are not interested in paying a higher gas tax, a higher user fee.?

The discussion in the Legislature this year is only the latest examination of fuel taxes in the state. Gov. Terry Branstad named a special commission which studied the issue last year, and recommended an increase of from 8 cents to 10 cents a gallon to generate about $215 million a year for highway and road construction. Branstad declined to endorse the proposed increase, and instead pushed for more than $50 million in cost savings in the highway construction program, which state transportation officials delivered.

The state?s 21-cent fuel tax has not been increased since 1989.

Paulsen said it?s clear voters don?t support an increase, given recent increases in the price of gasoline. The state?s constitution requires that fuel tax dollars be used for road repair and construction, but Paulsen also warned that many voters don?t accept that assurance.

Contacted by The Associated Press, Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said Paulsen?s position could effectively end this year?s discussion.

?Pretty obviously, if the speaker of the House opposes it, not a lot of people are going to proceed with it,? Gronstal said.

The speaker has the power to decide what gets debated in the House and few people are going to take the risk of voting for a tax increase, knowing in advance it has no chance of passing, Gronstal said.

Paulsen said there have been extensive internal discussions about the issue all year, but virtually no enthusiasm for moving forward.

?I?m not sure that Iowans are convinced, even though they know those are constitutionally protected dollars, they are not convinced we will actually spend them and turn those dollars into concrete and steel,? said Paulsen. ?Right now, I think Iowans have a red stop sign.?

This year?s legislative session is scheduled to end April 17. Republicans control the House by a 60-40 edge.