OTTAWA — Senator Pat Apple said many legislators have pushed for a new transportation bill that uses sales taxes instead of fuel taxes. In meeting with Franklin County commissioners Wednesday, Apple said he opposed it because of its dependence on the sales tax. The state has siphoned money from the transportation fund and it’s easy to do so when the source is the sales tax, he said. By law, money that goes into the transportation fund from fuel taxes can only be used for transportation, he said. At the same time many cities and counties are increasing their sales taxes, he said. Legislators are waiting on this week’s estimates of state revenues before they work on a budget. Apple, chairman of the Senate Utilities Committee, also told commissioners he’s been trying to push a proposal to rescue rural 911 emergency phone service. A special tax on land-line and cell phone service for 911 service and equipment is due to end June 30. Failure to keep the tax would pose serious safety and financial problems for many rural counties, he said.
Thursday, April 15, 2 p.m.
