POSTED BY: KEITH LAING VIA BLOOMBERG<\/p>\n
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg ruled out plans on Monday to increase in the federal gas tax or charge drivers a fee based on miles driven to pay for the Biden administration\u2019s $3 trillion infrastructure plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not part of the conversation about this infrastructure bill,\u201d Buttigieg told CNN on Monday when asked about implementing a vehicle-miles-traveled fee in lieu of taxes paid at the gas pump. \u201cJust want to make sure that\u2019s really clear,\u201d he added. \u201cBut you will be hearing a lot more details in the coming days about how we envision to be able to fund this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buttigieg also dismissed the suggestion of a gas tax increase to pay for rebuilding the nations roads, tunnels and bridges but he said measures being discussed \u201care carefully thought through, responsible ideas that ultimately are going to be a win for the economy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The comments comes as the Biden administration prepares to roll out a large infrastructure package Wednesday that is expected to cost as much as $3 trillion.<\/p>\n