Gov. Comments on Legislature's Vote to Raise the Gas Tax

Below is the press release from the Governor on the Legislature's vote to raise the gas tax over his veto. I voted "no" and have voted numerous alternatives to fund roads without raising the gas tax.

The vote:
On the motion to override Gov. Dave Heineman's veto of an estimated motor fuels tax increase of 1.2 cents per gallon:

Yes (34): Adams, Aguilar, Avery, Burling, Carlson, Christensen, Cornett, Dierks, Dubas, Engel, Fischer, Flood, Hansen, Harms, Heidemann, Hudkins, Janssen, Johnson, Karpisek, Kruse, Langemeier, Louden, McDonald, Nantkes, Nelson, Pankonin, Pedersen, Raikes, Rogert, Schimek, Stuthman, Synowiecki, Wallman, Wightman.

No (15): Ashford, Chambers, Erdman, Friend, Fulton, Gay, Howard, Kopplin, Lathrop, Lautenbaugh, McGill, Pahls, Pirsch, Preister, White.

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman released the following statement regarding the Legislature's vote today to raise the gas tax.

Gov. Heineman said, "Today the Legislature raised taxes on every working family in Nebraska by increasing the gas tax. I am very disappointed in their action. With gas and diesel prices at record highs and predicted to go even higher, food costs increasing and healthcare costs soaring, now is not the time to increase the gas tax on Nebraska families."

The increase was included in the FY 2008-09 mid-biennium budget bill passed by the Legislature. While signing LB 959 last week, Gov. Heineman used a line-item veto to strike the proposed increase in Nebraska's gas tax. The Legislature overrode the Governor's veto with 34 senators voting in favor of the measure.