HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Montana lawmakers say the passage of a bill to increase the state’s fuel tax is in doubt when it goes to the House floor for a final vote.
Republican legislative leaders have been looking to change enough votes to defeat the measure on Wednesday.
The measure passed its first vote 56-44 last Thursday, with 17 Republicans and 39 Democrats voting yes. Seven legislators who voted yes would have to change their votes Wednesday for the measure to fail.
Both Republican Rep. Greg Hertz of Polson and the bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Frank Garner of Kalispell say the difference as of Wednesday morning was just one or two votes.
The bill would raise the state’s tax on gas by 8 cents a gallon and on diesel by 7 ¼ cents a gallon to pay for road and bridge projects.
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