FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The state legislature will stay busy this summer, holding two special sessions dealing with funding shortfalls in both health care and road repairs.
Lawmakers of both parties agree, the state's transportation tax structure is out of date. A variety of proposed fixes are on the table, including hiking fees on gas, vehicle registration, and licenses -- re-directing money used to pay off state debt back to road projects -- and converting carpool lanes into paid toll ways.
Governor Brown's administration is studying how to eventually tax drivers for miles traveled instead of gas guzzled. However, moves like that would require support from Republicans, like Fresno's Jim Patterson.
"I think our drivers and our taxpayers are tired of paying some of the highest taxes in the nation to get some of the poorest and least improved roads in the country. This plan is an answer to that frustration," said California Assembly Member Jim Patterson, (R) Fresno.
The plan Patterson is referring to would include using $6-billion in existing state funding, plus eliminate 3,500 positions at Caltrans, which he says would save the state $500 million.
There's no set deadline for reaching deals.