Branstad Wants Alternatives to Gas-Tax Hike

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says he wants to find
alternatives to raising the state fuel tax to pay for road improvements.
 
 Branstad made the statement Friday during a taping of the public television
program, “Iowa Press.” Branstad says he’d like to explore other options, such
as allocating money from a state infrastructure fund or using some sales tax
revenues.
 
 Branstad says there isn’t public support to raise the fuel tax and that he
doesn’t want to increase it as fuel prices are rising.
 
 Iowa’s fuel tax _now 22 cents per gallon for gasoline including fees _ hasn’t
been raised since 1989. A commission appointed by Branstad in 2011 recommended
an increase of 8 to 10 cents a gallon to boost funding for the state’s network
of bridges and roads.