NASHVILLE – A key state House panel on Wednesday approved an amended version of Gov. Bill Haslam’s gas tax proposal but the proposal may slam headlong into an alternative no fuel tax-increase plan being encouraged by Republican Speaker Beth Harwell.
Harwell’s spokeswoman, Kara Owen confirmed Harwell has been talking with Assistant Majority Leader David Hawk, R-Greeneville and two other GOP leaders to “develop an alternative that does not include a gas tax increase.
“The details have not been fully developed yet,” Owen said in an email, “but they are working diligently to offer something. She [Harwell] knows members have a desire to find a solution for our transportation and infrastructre funding, and and is encouraged by that agreement. As Leader Hawk mentioned in committee, an amendment would be ready by next week’s Finance Committee meeting.”
Earlier in the day, Hawk, who earlier this session offered an alternative transportation funding plan that avoided gas tax increases by diverting existing sales tax revenues to road improvements, told Budget Subcommittee members that he and Harwell were working on an unspecified alternative.
The panel, chaired by Rep. Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, approved the measure on a voice vote, sending it on to the full Finance Committee.