Legislation to fix the state’s roads will also cost taxpayers more at the gas pump.
State Representative Steve Carter (R-Baton Rouge) is proposing legislation to control the DOTD’s operating budget and fix the state roads and bridges. “Providing safe roads and bridges are a vital function of state government and it’s time for us in the legislature to start making our citizens’ safety a priority,” said Carter.
HB 542 increases the state gasoline tax by 6 cents in 2019 and the state diesel tax by 4 cents. Both taxes will increase by two cents every two years through 2031, with no increases beyond that time. The bill also establishes a $300 fee on electric vehicles and a $200 fee on hybrids.
The legislation will fund several infrastructure projects including a new Mississippi River bridge at Baton Rouge, a new I-10 bridge across the Calcasieu River at Lake Charles, the completion of I-49 South from Lafayette to New Orleans, the widening of I-12 from Baton Rouge to the Mississippi State Line, widening of I-20 at Shreveport and Bossier City, widening of I-20 at Monroe and access improvements to the Port of New Orleans.
Lawmakers will return to the capital on April 8 for the 2019 legislative session.
A copy of the legislation can be found here: http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1122221