Higher gasoline taxes expected in 40 states

Bucking what some call a national tax-cutting trend, 40 states are expected to seek ways to raise motor fuel taxes this year to keep pace with the mounting costs of roadwork, according to information compiled by the Highway Users Federation.

The only states notm looking to boost motor fuel taxes are Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. (Kentucky has no legislative session scheduled for 1981.)

Of the 40 other states, 26 are expected to consider legislation to hike the cents-per-gallon tax on gasoline and diesel fuel. Bills will be introduced in the legislatures of 35 states to impose a variable or percentage tax on motor fuel or to increase existing variable taxes. Sixteen of the 40 will cons ider both cents-per-gallon and variable tax increases.