Gov. Mead calls on lawmakers to increase fuel tax

Gov. Matt Mead is urging Wyoming lawmakers to approve an increase in the state fuel tax to help pay for road construction. Mead delivered his third State of the State address to lawmakers at the state Capitol in Cheyenne. The governor says the state needs a steady source of highway funding so the Wyoming Department of Transportation can plan long-term projects. Mead has said a 10-cent increase in the fuel tax would raise about $71 million a year. He says the money would fund state and local government road projects, with out-of-state drivers paying a large share. If lawmakers won't increase the fuel tax, Mead says they should consider dedicating some of the mineral tax revenue that's currently going into state permanent savings for road projects.