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Senate passes plan that could increase gas tax

Virginia's gas tax could increase by $.06 a gallon under a plan approved by the state Senate Wednesday.  But the plan will likely run out of fuel in the House of Delegates.

The package also includes a quarter increase in the state sales tax.  It ups the gas tax by $.06 a gallon over six years.  That's expected to cost Virginians $45 a year.

To soften the increase, the plan eliminates the half cent tax on food that feeds the transportation trust fund. 

"That will save the average family of four $50 a year, which means they would actually be $5 to the good," says Sen. Dick Saslaw.

Meanwhile, there's fierce debate in a House committee that considered Governor Kaine's plan.  Republican leaders want to do an audit of VDOT to find waste before approving more funds.

"You can do all the audits in the world you want to do," says Sen. Ward Armstrong.  "It isn't going to change the amount of money that's flowing into VDOT."

"It's a bloated agency, spending the people's money, and we spend hours and hours and days to try to find new gimmicks to try to take the people's money," says Del. Frank Hargrove.

Lobbyists for auto dealers and home builders spoke against the taxes that would affect their industries.  Road builders support it, arguing an investment would create jobs.  Some wonder what, if anything, will be accomplished when the final gavel falls.

Each day the session continues, it becomes more clear the road to compromise is in need of repair.