State Representative Clel Baudler of Greenfield is supporting Republican Speaker of the House Kraig Paulson after Paulson took controversial steps to ensure a bill proposing a statewide 10 cent gas tax increase would clear a House committee late last week.

Paulson removed Johnston Republican Jake Highfill from the Ways and Means Committee, replacing him with Republican Brian Moore of Bellevue. Additionally, Paulson asked Republican Zach Nunn of Bondurant to step aside from the vote so that Paulson could vote himself. Both Highfill and Nunn have stated that they are against the proposed gas tax.

After the changes, the gas tax bill passed committee by a vote of 8 to 6. Baudler says he supports Paulson’s decision as a leadership move, and says it’s for the greater good of the caucus. “My caucus wants it debated, and wants a chance to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on it. The only way that was going to happen was to remove Jake (Highfill) and (Zach) Nunn from the committee.”

Party leaders in both the House and Senate have expressed support for the gas tax increase. Governor Terry Branstad says he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

For an individual who drives 15,000 miles per year, in a vehicle which averages 25 miles per gallon, the proposed gas tax would cost them $60 annually.