Republican lawmakers, including some in Limestone’s legislative delegation, have pledged support for a 10-cent-per-gallon tax increase on gasoline, but the issue is not being supported by the Limestone County Republican Party.

The party on Friday issued a release stating its opposition to the measure. The local party has also passed a resolution in opposition to the tax increase.

Chairman Noah Wahl said the party did not want to be “confrontational or dictative,” but explained the party is commissioned to uphold Republican principles and support good government. He added the party stands for cutting wasteful spending, low taxes, transparency, honesty, integrity and limited government.

“It would seem the majority of voters are not in favor of a tax increase. I believe this is because they don’t feel like they can trust state government to be good stewards of their tax money,” Wahl said. “I hope our Limestone County legislative delegation will use this session to try to build back the trust of the people through legislation aimed at cost reduction, efficiency, transparency, bringing back the gas tax money to roads and bridges, and working to bring road money back to the counties without strings attached.”

Wahl urged Republican lawmakers to table the gas bill. He said the feedback he’s received is that the special session devoted to the gas bill is a political maneuver designed to thwart the will of the people.

“If you want to bring it back in the regular session that’s fine, do it the proper way. By tabling the bill it would show the people that the State House is serious about wanting to rebuild trust with the people,” Wahl said. “My ideal solution would be to let the people vote on the gas tax on the ballot. I feel like a tax this big, over 300 million a year, should have the approval of the people of Alabama.”

Moving right along

Despite local opposition to the bill, House members debated and ultimately passed their version late Friday afternoon. It now moves to the Senate for a vote.

As debate began, bill sponsor Rep. Bill Poole said the bill is about the “quality of life for our people.”

State Rep. Lynn Greer, R-Rogersville, told The News Courier this week he was optimistic Gov. Kay Ivey could have a bill to sign by mid-week.