EDITORIAL: It's pocket change at the pump to fix Hoosier roadways

While some critics are expressing outrage at a tax increase, the more important context to consider is what that gas tax promises to do — and already has begun to do. 

The 1-cent increase beginning July 1 is part of a long-term state strategy to raise crucial revenue for fixing Indiana's most important infrastructure asset: it's roads and highway bridges.

There are few things more important to state commerce and quality of place than passable roads, allowing us easy access to places of employment, leisure activities and other key destinations.

Our roads are a gateway of opportunity for Hoosiers and a gateway of welcome to outside travelers. People groan, and rightly so, when they must traverse pothole-laden thoroughfares.

And given generations of neglect for a long-term funding fix, too many of our state’s roadways and bridges are crumbling.

The tax to fix the problem came in an initial phase of a 10-cent-per-gallon increase in 2017. 

It's set to go up based on inflation, at a maximum of a penny per gallon per year, through 2024.

While no one likes to pay more in taxes, it's a reality to sustaining the health of our homeland.

All around us, we're seeing this money being put to work. The traffic tie-ups create summer driving headaches, but now there's a plan in place and a light at the end of the highway funding tunnel.

Let's keep this in context as we're asked to dig out spare pocket change for each gallon of gas we consume to drive on Hoosier roadways.