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Iowa farm groups laud action on fuel tax

Iowa farm groups are applauding the Iowa legislature’s approval of a 10-cent increase in the state’s fuel tax.  The increase is expected to generate more than 200 million dollars annually for road and bridge repair.

Craig Hill is the president of Iowa Farm Bureau.

“No one wants to see a tax increase, but I believe it’s warranted by government to provide good roads and bridges—infrastructure for our economy and our safety,” Hill says, “and we just weren’t getting the job done with the funds that were available.”

AUDIO: Craig Hill

Tom Oswald of Cleghorn, president of the Iowa Soybean Association, agrees the increase is necessary.

“I think a lot of people realize that if Iowa is going to retain its competitive position, especially in regards to our major ag markets, we can’t let our infrastructure go further downhill,” says Oswald. “Clearly, there’s a lot of tonnage moving out there.”

AUDIO: Tom Oswald

Governor Terry Branstad is expected to sign the bill.