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Gasoline Industry Concerned About Gas Taxes
The gasoline industry is concerned about, but not necessarily opposed to, an increase in the gas tax to pay for road construction.

The Illinois Petroleum Council is open-minded about an increase in the gasoline tax to pay for road construction, says President Dave Sykuta, but if there is a tax increase, he wants assurance that the money goes to roads. He says politicians often call a gasoline tax a user fee, but he says if money is diverted from roads, then it amounts to an income tax on motorists.

The governor and lawmakers are talking about a $25 billion program, about half for transportation and half for schools and state buildings.

Laurence Msall of the Civic Federation says a capital program is needed, but $25 billion is a big number -- twice the size of the Illinois FIRST program under Gov. George Ryan in 1999, and 10 times the Build Illinois program under Gov. James R. Thompson in 1989.


Msall says the state doesn't have a list of its most pressing capital deficiencies, which opens the possibility of spending decisions being made based on politics rather than need.

(Illinois Radio Network)
03 17 09 by Newsroom
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