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Andrew Adams reportingThe new national average for a gallon of gas is $3.75, and now state leaders are talking about raising the gas tax and charging people for driving during peak time.
In fact, "congestion pricing" is picking up growing support among state leaders, who are hoping to better fund the cost of transportation improvements in Utah.
Assistant Senate Majority Whip Sheldon Killpack is the latest to voice interest in congestion pricing. He tells KSL's "Doug Wright Show" it'd work as a financial incentive to stay off the roads during peak drive times, and it's an outside-the-box solution.
And, he told a panel discussion during the Utah Taxpayers' Association's "Taxes now" conference that it, along with higher gas tax, would help cover the cost of transportation needs.
Killpack and the chair of the Utah Transportation Commission are in favor of raising the state gas tax. They'd like to see it be 40 cents per gallon rather than the current 24 cents. That would make it the highest state gas tax in the country by 4 cents.
Officials don't expect action before the November election but say something needs to be done.
E-mail: aadams@ksl.com
