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Bill To Increase Gas Tax In VA Heads To House

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By Rebecca Blatt

A bill passed this week by the Virginia Senate could raise the state's gas tax based on federal fuel efficiency standards, though it's likely to be a tough sell in the GOP-controlled House.

Virginia's gas tax has remained steady, at 17.5 cents per gallon for more than two decades. The Senate bill is meant to offset the money the state would lose as cars become more fuel efficient.

It would adjust the fuel tax annually based on the increase in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard. That's the standard the federal government sets for cars and light trucks sold in the U.S.

The first increase would come in April 2011.

The proposal now heads to the Republican-controlled House of Delegates, which traditionally blocks tax increases.

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