Branhagen: "Hard to get facts" about gas tax increase

Decorah State Representative Darrell Branhagen voted in favor of the measure to increase Iowa's gas tax by ten cents a gallon.

But in a newsletter to constituents, Branhagen says it was difficult to get accurate information from state officials about the proposal.  "My biggest disappointment was the continuing lack of facts that we had to rely on...The best and most accurate information I asked for and received were statistics from Winneshiek County Engineer Lee Bjerke and a study given to me by the Clayton County Board of Supervisors."

Concluded Branhagen, "You would think that spending $200 million more each year would justify a substantial amount of research."