November 14, 2008
WMUR-TV
CONCORD, N.H. — Penny-pinching at the gas pump now could lead to higher prices in New Hampshire as the state considers raising the gas tax.
The state highway fund is heading deep into the red, and officials said one reason for that is that its gas tax revenue isn’t what it used to be. According to the Department of Transportation, in 10 years, the highway fund could be dealing with an operating deficit approaching $1 billion.
As a result, Transportation Commissioner George Campbell is looking at ways to cut costs.
“We put a budget together that meets the cuts the governor and the Legislature demands — cuts we needed to make and changes in programs — but we look to keep the service level as good as possible,” Campbell said.
State Rep. David Campbell, no relation to the commissioner, is heading a legislative study of the future of the state’s highway system. He said he would consider an incremental gas tax over time, on one condition.
“If all the revenue — 100 percent of the revenue — went to bridges and roads,” he said.
If the tax is increased, officials said, it would amount to 1 or 2 cents per gallon. The state gas tax is currently 18 cents per gallon, and the last time it was increased was in 1991.