An Arizona House panel voted Wednesday to impose a new fee when people register their vehicles every year.
The house bill is designed to ensure a dedicated source of dollars to fund the Highway Patrol.
Republican Rep. Noel Campbell is the bill’s sponsor. He said up to $120 million a year of gas taxes and vehicle registration fees have been siphoned to fund the agency instead of going to infrastructure.
"We need to raise revenue. Nobody, nobody enjoys doing, raising taxes," Campbell said. "Of course not. But you know the condition of the roads and bridges and infrastructure in this state."
Hiking the gas tax is politically unacceptable.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is on the record saying he is opposed to any adjustment. The gas tax has not been raised since 1991.