Two groups came together to try and impart some information on a Senate bill to those traveling through Guthrie Center Tuesday.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and Fuel Iowa bought down the price of gas at Sparky’s One Stop by 80 cents, the combined taxation on fuel by the state of California, which indexes taxes on gasoline. Fuel Iowa member John Maynes shares more on why the two groups are against Senate File 3001.

“The thing about indexing the motor fuel gas rate is over time that index is tied to the consumer price index. And what you see when you look at other states that have indexes is 19 of the 25 highest tax states in the country have indexes tied to their motor fuel tax. And the proposal that is before the state legislature to raise the gas tax is an index, it’s tied to the consumer price index, and oddly the tax increases that are in the legislation are automatic. It doesn’t even require lawmakers to take an annual vote.”

AFP – Iowa Coalitions Director Phil Thompson continues on why the groups don’t want the bill to pass.

“This country was founded 250 years ago on a pretty core principle of no taxation without direct representation. Nobody votes for Department of Revenue bureaucrats. We elect our legislature and they’re accountable to folks. And we just want to make sure that any proposals, any increase, if it’s necessary that it’s done the right way in our opinion, which is by an affirmative vote of the legislature.”

Tomlinson mentions that with the gas tax index tied to the Consumer Price Index, the tax rate increases with inflation. He adds that both groups ask constituents to contact their legislators, and tell them that they are opposed to an automatic tax increase.