A proposed increase in the state gasoline tax currently making its way through the Ohio legislature should not be considered a tax increase, but rather a consumer cost for the privilege of using the publicly funded thoroughfares, the county engineer told local Republicans gathered Wednesday for a monthly luncheon.
Logan County Engineer Scott Coleman speaks Wednesday at the noon meeting of the Logan County Republicans. (EXAMINER PHOTO | NATE SMITH)
“I am aware there is a feeling of reluctance in the state senate about increasing taxes, but this is a user fee that goes back into the road system,” Logan County Engineer Scott Coleman told Logan County GOP members at the Harold Kerr American Legion Post 173.
The Ohio Engineer’s Association — in addition to the county office — supports Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposal to increase the state gasoline tax by 18 cents per gallon. The increased gas tax as proposed by the governor would have raised about an extra $1.8 million per year for each Ohio county for the purpose of maintaining the roads system.
“If you look at it, that $1.8 million is about what is generated (for the county) by the sales tax,” Coleman said. “That represents the existing shortfall in the transportation fund.”
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