The other three parts of the association's proposal include directing money to help preserve routes for future roads, combining the funding pools for both roads and rails, and congestion pricing, which allows the state to charge variable amounts to people driving on a road, depending on the congestion. Jerman believes his group's proposal, which includes the gas-tax increase, will be supported once the public has had a chance to thoroughly discuss the options.

"Transportation funding issues have not been adequately discussed in public," Jerman said about the proposal. "The fact there is a large percentage (of the poll respondents) who want to cut gas taxes is proof that many in the public do not understand our transportation funding crisis."

But Richard Drake, a Millcreek resident, said lawmakers and special-interest groups should look at other options to fund road-building. For example, extra money could be taken from the state's general fund, rather than raising a tax that he believes will negatively impact many drivers.

"I have little sympathy for these kind of hare-brained ideas," Drake said. "I think it is absolutely insensitive to people who have to drive every single day to work and back and who are literally living almost hand to mouth. I am so disgusted with the insensitivity to the common man and woman who have to work."

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com