Rep. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, is now debating for his amendment, to raise the gas tax two cents next year and an additional two cents the following year. "We don't use general funds here - the department gets what they earn, and they earn funding through fuel tax and registration fees," he said. "The last time that they had an increase was in 1996." Hagedorn said, "If we take away all the noise ... No. 1, the department is behind. No. 2, the audit says that we need to make some changes. And no. 3, the (governor) ... has already agreed that the changes are going to happen or the department won't spend any of the new money that we are providing for them." His measure would raise $8.8 million next year, and double that the following year.

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