An Ohio U.S. senator known for bucking the Republican party line is recommending an increase in the federal fuel tax as a way to help balance the federal budget and put Americans back to work.
In a letter to a panel considering changes in federal tax policy, retiring Sen. George Voinovich says the gas tax hasn't been raised in 17 years. In 1993, the federal government raised the rate by 4.3 cents, to 18.4 cents a gallon.
Voinovich says the tax's purchasing power has dwindled to the point where billions must now be transferred each year from the general budget to the Highway Trust Fund to keep needed projects adequately funded.
In his letter, Voinovich advocates the tax hike as part of an overall simplification of the federal tax code.
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