Senate Could Vote on House Passed Roads Plan Today

The Republican-led chamber spent much of the day Tuesday gauging where its members were on the plan that includes diverting $600 million from the General Fund, increasing the gas tax by 3.3 cents and the diesel tax by 15 cents, and jacking up vehicle registration fees, on average, by $40.

Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof says there was some heartburn in his GOP caucus about the registration fee increase.

So, he says, they will work with the leadership group to try to come up with something.

But Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, a Democrat, says this ping-ponging back and forth of bad plans is not the way to go.

He says they should find a plan they could all stomach that fixes the roads in a timely manner and doesn’t put the budget in a financial mess.

Ananich says he’s made it clear that his caucus would not support the House plan.

The Senate is scheduled to meet again Wednesday.