Tax hike helps fuel big jump in Indiana gasoline prices

Indiana is heading into the Memorial Day weekend tied with California for the largest gas price increase in the United States over the past year, driven in part by a fuel tax increase enacted by the state's Legislature.

Filling up a tank in Indiana cost an average of 66 cents a gallon more last week compared to a year ago, rising to $2.84 a gallon—a 30 percent increase. The nation increased an average of 45 cents the past year, to $2.81 a gallon, a 19 percent increase, recent data from the American Automobile Association show. California's 66-cent increase drove it to $3.63 a gallon, a 22 percent increase.

As of Sunday, the per-gallon price was $2.96 in Indiana, according to AAA, ranking it 17th among states. It's still well off the record prices seen in 2012, when the national average was $3.60 per gallon and the price at times rose above $4.

Indiana is among more than two dozen states that use gas tax revenue in part to fund transportation infrastructure. Indiana's tax increase was signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb as part of a package of tax and fee increases that pumped money into upgrading the state's roads and bridges. The law that went effect last July increased the fuel tax from 18 cents to 28 cents, and ties that amount to inflation, so it could continue to increase up to 1 cent annually.

"There's a number of factors that cause it to be as high as 66 (cents)," said an AAA spokeswoman Tamra Johnson. "But, in terms of Indiana being at the top of the list, we will definitely attribute that to their rise in gas tax."

In fiscally conservative Indiana, the increase created risks for majority GOP lawmakers who have pledged in the past not to raise taxes. Democrats have said the fuel tax hike puts undue burden on residents while Republicans give tax cuts to corporations.

"The Republican party was short-sighted and did not do their homework, so we are seeing this really, really high increase in gas prices," said Rep. Dan Forestal, an Indianapolis Democrat and ranking minority member of the House roads committee.

Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, the legislation's author, said the state needed the increase to fix crumbling roads.

"We definitely needed the money," he said. "We proved the case. And I wouldn't change a bit."

High gas prices are not only a concern for Indiana drivers but also retailers.

Indiana had the nation's seventh-highest state tax and fee on gasoline as of April of this year, according to the American Petroleum Institute, putting it behind Pennsylvania, California, Washington, Hawaii, New York and Michigan.

"That's why we're so concerned because our taxes are much higher than neighboring states," said Scot Imus, executive director of the Indiana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association. "We were concerned with our members who are on the border because if you go buy fuel in Kentucky, it's much cheaper than in Indiana."

As Indiana aims at striking a balance between increasing its gas tax and funding infrastructure projects, the question is whether it will continue to see its gas prices increase.

Experts and industry leaders have said it is hard to predict future gas prices because the gas market is especially volatile since President Donald Trump decided to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. Crude oil prices make up a large portion of what people pay at the pump.

"The Administration's move combined with the switchover to summer blend, growing global demand and shrinking supply continues to fuel pump prices as we approach the summer driving season," AAA spokeswoman Jeanette Casselano said in a statement.