The Iowa House Transportation Committee recently passed a gas tax increase bill which will now go before the full House for consideration.

However, House District 47 Representative Chip Baltimore doesn’t agree with a straight gas tax increase because he believes it would further burden the taxpayer.

“To be aware of the overall tax burdens on Iowans.  And it’s a combination of property tax, and sales tax, and gas tax and income tax and all these all taxes and how they combine to have an impact on Iowans.  Many of us, including myself, are extraordinarily reluctant to raise the overall tax burden on Iowans.”

He states that every year, there is about a $215-$240 million funding shortage in the state for its infrastructure improvements.

Instead, the Republican from Boone suggests that he could be in favor of raising the gas tax if it were to be offset by something like an income tax credit given to Iowans or lower the income tax rate.

He doesn’t see this bill making it out of the House before the second funnel week this session.