By Leo Shane III
Enquirer Columbus Bureau

COLUMBUS - Lawmakers today hope to approve an increase in the state gas tax and a variety of automobile fees to help pay for road construction and maintenance.

The Senate on Tuesday approved the state transportation budget for the next biennium, a $5.9-billion package highlighted by a 6-cent per gallon fuel tax increase to be implemented over three years. Ohio's tax is now 22 cents per gallon.

House members, who approved a similar measure two weeks ago, will confer with Senate leaders this morning to iron out differences between the bills. Senate President Doug White, R-Manchester, called the discrepancies "minor" and anticipated the legislation would pass both branches by this evening.

Senate Republicans needed Democratic votes to pass the measure on Tuesday, after seven of their 22-member caucus shunned the bill.

The measure, backed by Gov. Bob Taft, would provide an extra $250 million annually for Ohio Department of Transportation road and bridge construction projects and $289 million for local projects.

But several Senate Republicans and Democrats decried the tax increase as poorly timed, noting that Ohio residents will likely face more tax and fee increases in the upcoming biennial budget, already projected at a $4 billion deficit.

Sen. Leigh Herington, D-Ravenna, said a state tax increase coupled with federal discussions over a national gas tax increase will devastate Ohio residents. Sen. Larry Mumper, R-Marion, said his constituents simply will not support more tax increases.

Sen. Marc Dann, D-Liberty, called dealing with the transportation bill apart from the biennial budget "irresponsible."

"It still remains a terribly bad time to be raising taxes," he said. "The gas tax is a tax that is going to fall hardest on those who can least afford it."

The gas tax would be increased by 2 cents each year starting July 1, but under the Senate provision the final 2-cent increase in 2005 could be eliminated if federal highway fund reimbursements increase from the current 86 cents per dollar to 95 cents.

The Senate version also includes a $12 increase in drivers' license fees and an $11 increase in vehicle registration fees - both a few dollars more than the House proposals - and exempts school buses from paying the tax.

It also dropped House proposals for a 50-cent daily rental-car tax that would have paid for changes in the state's E-Check program. The House wanted to exempt vehicles up to five years old from the emissions test, up from two years.

Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, said House members have concerns over the Senate's E-Check changes. House members also want to extend a change to the funding formula that allows higher-populated townships to collect more of the additional gas tax money.

To draw the needed Democratic votes, a Senate committee amended the bill to phase out a 3-cent per gallon surcharge on diesel fuel by 2006. The move would benefit truck drivers and cost the state roughly $33 million.

Both the House and Senate versions lowered the legal driving blood alcohol level from 0.10 to 0.08, a move required to retain millions in federal highway funds. Sen. Scott Nein, R-Middletown, blasted that and the E-Check program as unfair federal mandates that erode states' rights.

"I'm embarrassed for this state and all the other states," he said.

But others defended the legislation as critical to ensure the safety and integrity of the state's infrastructure.

"None of us like the fact that we have to have the tax," said Sen. Bill Harris, R-Ashland. "But this is a tax we understand. What this bill does is give us a chance to put dollars to work to correct (roadway) problems."

Harris said the condition of the state's roads and bridges underscores the need for more construction funding, and the work to be done could help spur job creation and development throughout the state.

Mumper said the bill does contain several positive aspects - more money for local governments, the reduced drunken driving limits - but said they did not outweigh the new tax.

"With the federal government thinking about another increase, that on top of 6 cents is not a good idea," he said.

Mumper said he expects less resistance to the new taxes if gas prices go down in the coming months.

Area senators who voted for the transportation budget were Republicans White, Louis Blessing of Colerain Township and Robert Schuler of Sycamore Township. Democrat Mark Mallory of Cincinnati also voted yes.

Republican Nein of Middletown voted against the bill.