Right now, in the Brandywine Hundred region, the price for a gallon of gas is about $1.67. So if you are going to raise the gas tax to fund infrastructure and transportation improvements throughout the state, now is the time, when the prices are low, to do it. Personally, I believe the tax is a regressive tax that punishes the lower wage earners more than the wealthy. So a gas tax is not my first choice. But if you are going to do it, now is the time to do it.
And State Reps. Sean Matthews’ and Michael Mulrooney’s bill will allow a reevaluation if the price of a gallon of gas rises, as it surely will.
Delaware lawmakers are again seeking to raise the state gas tax by 10 cents a gallon, arguing it would allow the state to make critical improvements to roads and bridges.
The proposal from state Rep. Sean Matthews, D-Talleyville, and Rep. Michael Mulrooney, D-Pennwood, is different from the failed attempt Gov. Jack Markell made in 2014 because it would expire after a year, allowing lawmakers to take stock of where oil prices stand and decide whether or not to renew it.
Matthews estimates the increase would raise more than $50 million in additional revenue a year.
“I would hope that this could be a bipartisan issue,” Matthews said. “I think all members of the General Assembly, when they’re out and about, are hearing that people want work done on these roads. Until somebody figures out a way to get roads built for free, we have to pay for them.” […]
The current Delaware state tax on gasoline is 23 cents per gallon. It hasn’t been raised since 1995.