Skip to main content

Legislators consider gas tax hike to offset DOT funding cuts

Image
News Date
Body

The House will consider a bill that would cut more than $88 million from Gov. Hassan's proposed transportation funding, a move that officials say could lead to up to 600 layoffs.

To offset the possible funding cuts, House Finance Committee Chairman Neal Kurk requested that Republicans support a 7 to 8 cent gas tax hike in order to allow the Department of Transportation to continue its work.

The House Finance Committee voted 15-11 Thursday in favor of cutting the funds, which DOT Deputy Commissioner Patrick McKenna said could result in layoffs, bridge closures, and devastation to the state's maintenance and plowing.

“There has been a declining revenue situation in the highway fund, we have tried to do our best to alert our policymakers and the public of that," McKenna said. "Without revenue we don’t believe we would be able to maintain current services.”

Gov. Hassan has asked the legislature to find a way to restore the funding.

Comments

Login or register to post comments

Thank you to our sponsors and donors