UDOT chief floats gas-tax change
"It may be an opportunity to make a switch," John Njord said Wednesday during a meeting of the Utah Transportation Commission.
Commissioners asked Njord his opinion on discussions from the governor's office about replacing the current set tax rate of 24.5 cents per gallon of gasoline to a percentage price at the pump, which has been described as something of a sales tax.
The state is expected to have a revenue shortfall in the hundreds of millions. On Thursday, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. will release his budget for next year.
UDOT officials didn't drop any hints Wednesday of what they expect from the governor's budget, but two weeks ago, Njord announced he was suspending all of UDOT's projects that are funded from the state's general fund some 50 projects worth $3.9 billion, including a $2.6 billion I-15 reconstruction project in Utah County and the Mountain View Corridor. Other projects funded by gas taxes, vehicle registration fees and federal money are still going forward.
"The action needed to be done quite quickly to avoid putting ourselves into a corner we couldn't buy our way out of," Bodily said. "I think from here on, we have to move cautiously and not move faster than we know we have funding for."
Commissioners also asked Njord whether it was possible that gas taxes could continue to exist under the same formula, but be increased above the current 24.5 cents a gallon. They said that gas prices are so low these days, the public wouldn't feel the difference. On Wednesday, the average cost of a gallon of regular unleaded in Utah, according to AAA, was $1.73 a gallon.
Recent comments
I think $2.50/gallon is a good price that is affordable, but still...
Gas Tax good idea | Dec. 4, 2008 at 2:06 p.m.
Were did you get your information
"Utah already has the 5th...
Re: No to raising taxes | Dec. 4, 2008 at 1:52 p.m.
Utah already has the 5th highest gas tax in the nation. Lets work on...
No to raising taxes | Dec. 4, 2008 at 12:52 p.m.
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