Commission calls for increasing gas tax

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A citizen commission says state officials should raise the gas tax, impose mileage-based fees and increase registration and driver's license fees to cover Wisconsin's transportation needs.

The 2011-2013 state budget created the commission to advise Gov. Scott Walker and legislators on how to finance state transportation needs over the next decade as gas tax revenue decreases.

The commission released preliminary findings Friday. The panel concluded the state will need more than $6 billion in investments over the next 10 years just to maintain the current transportation network.

The commission's recommendations include increasing the state gas tax by 5 percent; a 1.02-cent fee for every mile traveled between 3,000 and 20,000; increasing annual registration fees for commercial vehicles; and a $20 increase in driver's license fees.