Video: Gas Tax Increase Likely for Alabama

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – A proposed gas tax increase to pay for road and bridge construction has cleared its first hurdle in the Alabama Legislature.

The House transportation committee approved the bill Thursday. It now moves to the House of Representatives.

The proposal would raise the tax by 6 cents per gallon. The tax would be adjusted every four years to equal the average tax in Alabama’s four border states. The tax would end in 2027.

Rep. Mac McCutcheon, the bill’s sponsor, said transportation infrastructure is crumbling in the state. He said the state hasn’t raised gas taxes in more than 25 years.

The bill comes as many lawmakers say there’s no appetite among legislators for tax increases. McCutcheon said he realized it was a tough decision, but said it was an investment in Alabama’s future.