A task force examining Kansas infrastructure could consider the merits of raising the fuel tax to stabilize a Kansas Department of Transportation budget that suffered years of annual sweeps, the agency’s secretary says.
Richard Carlson says he appreciates the money his agency already gets for roads, including $60 million lawmakers restored this year. Still, it will take several years before new projects are shovel-ready, and the task force will have to consider $600 million worth projects delayed under the current 10-year transportation plan. Carlson expressed concern about raising a fuel tax that already is higher than some neighboring states, at 24 cents per gallon. He said the state collects about $900 million in fuel tax revenue each year, sharing two-thirds with local entities and leveraging the cash for matching federal funds.
An expansion of the fuel tax revenue could shield the agency from revenue sweeps by providing a dedicated revenue stream for projects. Carlson said it would be a topic for the task force.
(Read more: News – The Garden City Telegram)