SALT LAKE CITY — Utahns are paying more at the pump, but the Utah Legislature won't be contributing to the increased cost.
The Senate voted down Monday a proposal to raise the gas tax 5 cents per gallon. SB239 also called for automatic ¾-cent increase every two years. The current tax is 24.5 cents a gallon.
"I think the timing is really off. We're trying to recover economically," said Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan. "If I got a pair of worn out pair of Levis, I don't go out and buy another pair just ’cause I need ’em."
The increase would have raised an estimated $60 million for road repairs.
Bill sponsor Sen. Kevin Van Tassell, R-Vernal, the state will pay more later if it doesn't do something now. "When it's necessary to repair the roof, we repair the roof," he said.
Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, supported the measure, saying it's better than raising the sales tax on food.
"It's fair because you pay it when you use it," he said. "This is something that we're going to need to do."