Foes Try To Put Brakes On Planned Hike To Tennessee Gas Tax

A group of Republican lawmakers is trying to hit reset on the debate over Governor Bill Haslam’s transportation proposal.

They say House leaders are moving the plan for a 6-cent increase to the state’s gas tax through the legislature too quickly.

Haslam’s proposal is being considered now by the House and Senate Finance committees. That’s a final step before it’s sent to votes on the floor.

But state Rep. Jerry Sexton and 18 other lawmakers called Monday for the measure to be sent instead back to the Transportation Committee. That’s where he and a few other opponents tried unsuccessfully to kill the measure earlier this year.

“We want our constituents’ voices to be heard, and let the people say what they feel about this legislation,” says Sexton, R-Bean Station. “They don’t like it.”

Sexton believes the state should use surplus revenue to improve roads, rather than raise gas taxes.

Governor Haslam wants to pair the gas-tax hike with cuts to taxes on food, businesses and investments that he says will make the state more competitive, as well as property tax relief for veterans.