A proposed gas tax hike and medical marijuana received some buzz at an East Ridge community forum hosted by a pair of local state lawmakers.
On Thursday evening, Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, and Rep. Marc Gravitt, R-East Ridge, shared their thoughts with a crowd of 16 people, including a few local elected officials, about expected hot topics of the Tennessee Assembly’s upcoming legislative session.
Despite all of the fanfare associated with Gov. Bill Haslam’s plan to increase fuel taxes as a way to fund road projects, few audience members voiced support or opposition to the idea. Neither did Gravitt or Gardenhire.
“I’m not an advocate and I’m not against it right now,” Gravitt said. “All I’m doing is I want feedback.”
If implemented, the average motorist would pay $4 more a month for gas, resulting in an estimated $228,000 for East Ridge to use on transportation needs, he said. Chattanooga would receive $1.8 million.