Rep. Ellison: ‘Call It a Tax or Call it a Fee’ –‘We Just Need to Raise It’

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) says it’s time to raise the gas tax, “In my opinion, I, Keith Ellison, you know, me. I think we just need to raise it.”

Ellison made the comments while discussing federal transportation funding during an appearance on Minnesota Public Radio last week.

“Some folks are looking at schemes to use foreign profits that are being kept abroad to try and pay for some things, there's a lot of discussion going on," Ellison said on the topic.

"The gas tax - as always," the host said.

"The gas tax," Ellison responded. "In my opinion, I, Keith Ellison, you know, me. I think we just need to raise it."

"You know we haven’t raised it in years and years. You know, if you don’t want to call it a tax call it a fee, but it is the cost of a good interstate highway system,” Ellison said.

The federal gas tax is 18.4 cents a gallon. It hasn’t increased since 1993. The last time it decreased was 1934.