Via triblive.com

The chairman of the House Transportation Committee says passing a bill to pay for America's aging roads and bridges will be a top priority next year, but he is ruling out a gasoline tax increase or motorist user fees as the way to do it.

Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, has said a vehicle-miles-traveled tax should be considered as an alternative to increasing the 18.4-cent-per-gallon gas tax, given the rise in fuel-efficient vehicles that makes taxing by the gallon rather than the mile less effective. Looking ahead to a GOP-controlled Congress, Shuster said this month that both proposals are unworkable.

Former Gov. Ed Rendell and former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in recent weeks have renewed calls for a gas tax increase.

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