By Illinois Public Radio
Springfield, IL – Illinois Senate President John Cullerton says he's still pushing for a gasoline sales tax hike to help pay for a statewide construction plan.
Governor Pat Quinn has said he's against such a tax hike.
But Cullerton says an eight-cent increase could generate half-a-billion dollars for the state.
"So I think it's something that should still be considered. People were paying $2.25 more than they are paying now just six months ago, and it does have some environmental benefits, so that's something that should also be on the table."
As for the governor's income tax hike proposal, Cullerton says lawmakers are considering several alternatives.
Those include borrowing billions of dollars to fill the state's deficit and making Quinn's proposed income tax hike temporary.
