Half-Cent Gas Tax Meeting | AR DoT

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The Arkansas Department of Transportation is hosting a series of town hall meetings to inform the public on the issue of the half-cent gas tax that will be on the Arkansas ballot this coming November. One of those takes place Trinity Baptist Church, 3115 Trinity Boulevard, Texarkana, Arkansas, at 5:30 pm. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Attendees will have an opportunity to view displays and speak to ArDOT staff, including director Scott Bennett. The open house meetings will be followed by a brief formal presentation on the condition of the state highway system and how extending the sales tax would impact system preservation and work on new projects.

The existing tax generates nearly $300 million annually — $205 million for ArDOT, $43 million for cities and $43 million for counties. About the same amount would be generated if the tax extension is approved. Voters on Nov. 3, 2020, the general election will decide whether to extend the tax.

In early 2019, Gov. Asa Hutchinson proposed a $300 million plan for highways, and part of the program included $95 million that Arkansas legislators approved to come from increases to the state fuel tax and vehicle registration fees and casino revenue. The remaining amount would come from the money generated by the half-cent sales tax if approved. Attendees will have an opportunity to view displays and speak to ArDOT staff, including director Scott Bennett. The open house meetings will be followed by a brief formal presentation on the condition of the state highway system and how extending the sales tax would impact system preservation and work on new projects.
The existing tax generates nearly $300 million annually — $205 million for ArDOT, $43 million for cities and $43 million for counties. About the same amount would be generated if the tax extension is approved. Voters on Nov. 3, 2020, the general election will decide whether to extend the tax.

In early 2019, Gov. Asa Hutchinson proposed a $300 million plan for highways, and part of the program included $95 million that Arkansas legislators approved to come from increases to the state fuel tax and vehicle registration fees and casino revenue. The remaining amount would come from the money generated by the half-cent sales tax if approved.
The current half-cent sales tax was designed to be impermanent and is entering its twilight phase. If Arkansas citizens vote against, it will eventually cease. However, the ensuing loss of revenue will cause complications in various public projects. The coming vote is whether to make the tax a part of the Arkansas Constitution.
Again, the meeting takes place at Trinity Baptist Church, 3115 Trinity Boulevard, Texarkana, Arkansas at 5:30 pm. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

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