Gas tax hot topic at Legislative Coffee

A potential 10-cent gas tax hike was the main topic of discussion at the second Legislative Coffee of the year held by the Jasper County League of Women Voters Saturday at the Hy-Vee Club Room. Rep. Greg Heartsill, Rep. Dan Kelley and Sen. Chaz Allen were present to give remarks and answer questions about current issues and citizen concerns.

“I have been for a long time and have been very open about it as a ‘no’ on the fuel tax, because I think there is a better way to come up with this funding,” Heartsill said. “That being said, the gas tax is coming through, making its way through the legislature.”

Heartstill explained how on Thursday in the ways and means committee, the Speaker of the House pulled two ‘no’ votes off of the committee and reassigned two ‘yes’ votes to the committee.

“Because of that action, this has become more than just the gas tax now. This is about arm-twisting, D.C.-style politics that have now been injected into the Iowa Legislature,” Heartsill said. “It’s hard to be critical of your own party leadership, but I am extremely disappointed, and quite frankly, I am embarrassed at the way that this legislation is being ram rodded through the legislature. That’s not how we do things here in Iowa.”

Kelley agreed with Heartsill that it became about more than the gas tax and any funding that would go to rural infrastructure needs. He did differ about the timing of the political move. Although this style of politics usually comes later in the session, in April when budget talks were in final stages, Kelley was not surprised that it happened.

“I really thought that the gas tax would be one of those chess pieces that were played at the end of the session. That isn’t what’s happening and it tells me that there’s major forces at hand that is pushing leaders to take these steps,” Kelley said. “I think that the people that lose in this situation are the people of Iowa, the businesses and the farmers who need infrastructure repairs to roads and bridges.”

Allen said he voted against the tax because he also believes there are other avenues to find funding. He gave examples of rest stops, interchanges and the addition of stop lights that are very costly, but not always needed. Heartsill said he agreed with Allen about not finding all of the efficiencies available and that the tax is popular because it is thought to be the path of least resistance. Instead of doing several legislative actions to help recoup the money, the tax would be one action that may not bring in the projected funds in coming years because of efficiencies in vehicles.

A small portion of the money raised through the gas tax would fund rural infrastructure needs, although actually getting the money to rural areas can often be a challenge. The legislators all gave solutions and options on how to get the money where they feel it should go.

“I think that there is a very logical answer and that is to make our rural infrastructure budget actually go to rural infrastructure instead of pet projects in urban areas,” Kelley said.

They all said several times they believe the tax will pass and could pass as soon as next week. If that is the case, the tax would go into effect the first of the next month which could pose a problem for those with fixed incomes or people having a hard time making ends meet, giving them no time to plan for the increase.

The next Legislative Coffee will be held at 9 a.m. March 21 in the Hy-Vee Club Room.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com