Reality Check: Gov. Walz's Proposed Gas Tax Hike
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- It would be the biggest gas tax hike in the state's highway history, but DFL Gov. Tim Walz says his plan's not out of line with what's happening in other states.
It's a jaw-dropping 70-percent gas tax hike from 28.5 cents a gallon to 48.5 cents.
The money is for fixing some of the state's worst highways -- and potholes.
Walz defends the hike as not unusual.
"I remind folks this is not a unique situation to Minnesota," Walz said at a suburban Twin Cities transportation event. "Twenty six states in the last five years have raised their gas taxes. A dozen more are doing it now."
The bump at the pump would be the highest in state history.
Minnesota's gas tax currently ranks 25th in the nation. Raising it 20 cents would move Minnesota to No. 5.
Nevertheless, Walz is correct. Many states, led by both Democrats and Republicans, are turning to the gas tax again -- including Minnesota's Midwest neighbors.
Along with Minnesota's 20 cents, Wisconsin's proposing a 9-cent gas tax hike. Illinois is proposing 19 cents, Ohio is proposing 18 cents and Michigan is proposing an eye-popping 45 cents a gallon.
It's all happening now because so many states waited so long. The buying power of the gas tax got eaten away by inflation, construction costs going up and fuel-efficient cars buying less fuel. Aging roads and bridges now have less money to fix them.
The gas tax hike would be phased in over two years. It would cost about $3 dollars more every time you fill up your tank. And like other states, the Minnesota plan includes a tax credit for low income drivers to ease some of the pain at the pump.
That's Reality Check.
Sources We Used For This Reality Check:
MN Gas Tax Hikes Since 1975
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/about/pdfs/historychart.pdf
Twin Cities Gas Prices
https://www.gasbuddy.com/Charts
Five Southern States Consider Fuel Taxes
http://www.landlinemag.com/story.aspx?storyid=73649#.XJuFddh7m70
US Gas Tax Increases Become Mainstream
https://onlinebusiness.northeastern.edu/blog/u-s-gas-tax-increases-become-mainstream/
Midwestern Governors Float Gas Tax Hikes
https://www.governing.com/topics/transportation-infrastructure/gov-gas-tax-minnesota-ohio-governor-funding-roads.html
States Raising Gas Taxes In Recent Years
https://itep.org/most-states-have-raised-gas-taxes-in-recent-years/
IL Gas Tax
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20190324/senate-bill-would-raise-state-gas-tax-by-19-cents-per-gallon-to-fund-road-and-bridge-repairs
Governing.com: States Raising Gas Tax
https://www.governing.com/topics/transportation-infrastructure/gov-gas-tax-minnesota-ohio-governor-funding-roads.html
Institute in Taxation and Economic Policy
https://itep.org/overdue-gas-tax-hikes-are-back-on-the-agenda-in-statehouses/
Tax Foundation: How High Are Gas Taxes In Your State?
https://files.taxfoundation.org/20180808093450/Gas-Tax-July-2018.png
How Long Since Your State Raised The Gas Tax?
https://itep.org/how-long-has-it-been-since-your-state-raised-its-gas-tax-0219/
American Petroleum Institute: Gas Tax Rankings By State
https://www.api.org/~/media/Files/Statistics/StateMotorFuel-OnePagers-January-2019.pdf
