The director of Kentucky’s best-known transportation advocacy organization is expressing concern about Governor Beshear’s decision to suspend a two-cent increase in the state gas tax. Jennifer Kirchner with Kentuckians for Better Transportation said the average benefit to a Kentucky motorist is about a dollar a month. She noted the projected loss to the road fund which supports road and bridge projects is around $35 million through the end of the year.
“I think that a lot of times we can argue about philosophically about what role government is in our lives, but when it comes to transportation, you’ll find across the political spectrum that everyone can agree that there’s a role for government to play in transportation infrastructure,” said Kirchner.
Kirchner suggests policymakers take a look at the bigger long-term picture. She said that could involve a movement away from the gas tax toward a vehicle mile traveled fee structure.
Kirchner said the general assembly could extend that gas tax break.
“I think it’s likely that the republican legislature would want to keep that tax suspended. I don’t think that they’re in the business of increasing taxes. But then, again, it would be agreeing with the governor, which might complicate things too,” said Kirchner.
Kirchner added if that rate is extended by lawmakers that figure could grow to $60 million.
