DES MOINES (AP) — While education spending and property tax cuts have been the focus so far in Iowa’s legislative session, some think lawmakers might also take action this year on the perennial proposal of raising the fuel tax.

Iowa’s fuel tax — now 22 cents per gallon for gasoline including all fees — hasn’t been raised since 1989. A commission appointed by Gov. Terry Branstad in 2011 recommended an increase of 8 to 10 cents to boost funding for the state’s substantial network of bridges and roads, many of which are considered deteriorating or deficient.

Proposals to raise the tax have come up repeatedly, and an effort to increase it by 10 cents failed in the Legislature last year. But Rep. Joshua Byrnes, R-Osage, who chairs the House transportation committee, said he thinks similar legislation would have a stronger chance this time around.