A commission appointed by the governor is recommending an increase in the state’s gas tax of between eight- and 10-cents per gallon.

A ten-cent increase over the current average twenty-cent tax now would amount to a 50% tax increase.  Officials claim the money is needed to make critical repairs to Iowa’s roads and bridges.

They also claim that they received “overwhelmingly” positive comments about the plan during half a dozen or so public meetings they held across the state.

But, the tax increases do not end there.  The commission will also recommend an increase on the tax Iowans pay when purchasing a new or used vehicle.

In these tough economic times, a 50% tax hike on fuel will hurt working families hardest and Republicans should not stand for this, let alone suggest it.