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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Standing guard ... City gears up for hearings on future growth ... Medford School District on the hunt for teachers ... Standing guard ... City gears up for hearings on future growth ... Medford School District on the hunt for teachers ... OUR VIEW Our View: Revving up the gas tax debate Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 29, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Jan. 29, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Lawmakers in Salem are already bickering over an increase in the state gas tax to pay for road and bridge repairs that all agree are needed. The clash comes over a separate measure to extend limits on the carbon content of fuel sold in the state. The carbon standard is set to expire at the end of the year; majority Democrats want to make it permanent. Republicans say they won't support a transportation package to repair Oregon's infrastructure if Democrats insist on the carbon fuel standard, which they say amounts to a gas tax by another name because it would raise prices at the pump. Democrats say the two issues are not connected, and dispute the estimated cost-per-gallon figures the Republicans are claiming for the carbon measure. The carbon measure is part of the state's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which is a worthwhile endeavor. We are equally concerned about the need to keep the state's highway system in good repair, which is vital to a maintaining a productive economy and creates jobs in the process. The Oregon Legislature passed major transportation packages in 2003 and again in 2009. Six years later, it's time to do it again — inflation and improved gas mileage have cut into transportation funding — but raising taxes in Salem is never a simple matter. The business community supports a transportation package, but Republicans resist any tax increase on principle, and are determined to use whatever leverage they have left in Salem to rein in the Democrats. Democrats have majorities in both houses, but only in the Senate do they control the three-fifths supermajority required to raise taxes. In the House, they need at least one Republican vote, and if even one Democrat defects in the Senate, they can't pass a tax bill there either. Then, even if they manage to push through a gas tax increase, they need Republican support to discourage disgruntled voters from repealing it. Democrats are right to support the transportation infrastructure. Republicans are right when they insist that any new transportation funding should include assurances that a fair share of the proceeds will be spent on projects in rural Oregon. And both parties should make sure the state Transportation Department spends the money as efficiently as possible, prioritizing needed repairs and and improvements over expensive cosmetic touches.    MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 29, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501