TOPEKA — Kansas lawmakers are discussing raising the state’s gas tax and implementing new fees as a way to help fund future highway improvements.
The Wichita Eagle reports that a state task force finalized recommendations Thursday for a long-term transportation plan as Kansas prepares to transition out T-WORKS, the 10-year, $8 billion transportation program that began in 2010. The recommendations call for transportation funding through sales taxes, a fee on electric vehicles and raising the gas tax.
State lawmakers and the Kansas Department of Transportation will consider the recommendations as they develop a new transportation program in the coming year.
The recommendations didn’t specify how much the gas tax should be increased. But Democratic Sen. Tom Hawk has voiced support for raising the gas tax by 5 cents, which could produce about $90 million a year.
