A commission is expected to recommend a 50 percent increase in federal gasoline taxes to help fund infrastructure projects.
The National Commission on Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing is scheduled to release its report later this month, but the report is expected to recommend that the gasoline tax increase by 10 cents and diesel oil tax by 12 to 15 cents per gallon, according to the Associated Press. Currently the tax is 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents for diesel.
The need for extra gas tax revenue comes as more drivers have reduced their gasoline consumption, driving down oil prices. However, President-elect Barack Obama has expressed concern about raising gasoline taxes in the midst of a recession. He already plans to introduce an economic stimulus package that will include spending on improving the highway infrastructure.
In a report issued last January, another commission, the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, recommended raising the gasoline tax by 40 cents per gallon, phased in over a five-year period.
