Mayor pushes gas tax hike, pegs average cost at $21.45 a year

Caldwell calls it 'a good investment,' but Council members say it will hurt drivers, consumers

By Gordon Y.K. Pang

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Mar 15, 2013

~~<p>With opposition mounting against his proposal to increase the city's fuel tax by 5 cents a gallon, Mayor Kirk Caldwell is urging City Council members to keep an open mind to the idea.</p>
<p>The plan, the most controversial part of his $2 billion operating budget for the 2014 fiscal year, would increase the city's fuel tax on motorists to 21.5 cents a gallon from 16.5 cents a gallon. It would generate $15 million that Caldwell said he will direct toward a beefed-up street repaving project and restoring bus routes.</p>
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With opposition mounting against his proposal to increase the city's fuel tax by 5 cents a gallon, Mayor Kirk Caldwell is urging City Council members to keep an open mind to the idea.

The plan, the most controversial part of his $2 billion operating budget for the 2014 fiscal year, would increase the city's fuel tax on motorists to 21.5 cents a gallon from 16.5 cents a gallon. It would generate $15 million that Caldwell said he will direct toward a beefed-up street repaving project and restoring bus routes. Login for more...