Mississippi Senate panel could consider gas tax increase
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – A legislative panel will consider whether to increase Mississippi’s gasoline tax and put additional registration fees on vehicles to help pay for highway and bridge repairs.
Senate Highways and Transportation Committee Chairman Willie Simmons says he plans to bring up Senate Bill 2859 (http://bit.ly/1UucSLc ) for debate in his committee on Tuesday.
However, it’s not clear whether the plan will gain widespread support. Increasing any tax takes a three-fifths majority of the House and Senate.
Mississippi Department of Transportation executive director Melinda McGrath has said an additional $526 million a year is needed to repair more than one-third of highways and nearly one-fourth of bridges.
The state chamber of commerce supports putting more money into highways and bridges.
Legislators last approved a major increase in funding for transportation repairs in 1987.
