The House spent more than an hour debating a road funding billTuesday. Lawmakers from both parties named it a top priority this session.
The House Republican bill pays for road maintenance by raising the gas tax four cents a gallon and shifting all sales tax on gasoline to roads. Most of that sales tax currently goes to the state's general fund, so to cover that, the bill would raise the cigarette tax one dollar.
Democrats oppose the tax hikes.
"It's going to be very difficult to explain to your constituents why their taxes are going up to fund these roads," says Rep. Dan Forestal, D-Indianapolis.
Forestal says if Republicans hadn't spent the last several years reducing taxes – including the corporate tax rate – they could find road funding sources elsewhere.
"Indiana's the crossroads of America," says Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Berne, defending what he calls "modest" tax increases. "Our economy is growing in Indiana and our infrastructure to move those products is crumbling. It is time for us to lead and get our roads back in shape."
The House approved the measure 61 to 36, with several Republicans joining Democrats in voting no.