By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – Congressmen Rodney Davis and Darin LaHood made a stop in Bloomington Tuesday to discuss infrastructure and trade with local community members.

Both LaHood and Davis agreed more needs to be done at the federal level to address infrastructure. Davis (R-Taylorville) said many lawmakers want to increase the federal gas tax, but he believes other sources of revenue should be addressed.

“I want Rivian to be very successful for this area, but electric vehicle owners pay nothing right now into the Highway Trust Fund,” said Davis.  “If you just increase the gas tax, and at the same time the federal government is trying to encourage people to buy more electric vehicles, then we’re not really solving the long term solvency problem of the Highway trust Fund.”

On July 1, the motor fuel tax in Illinois doubled from 19 cents to 38 cents per gallon.

Meanwhile, LaHood (R-Dunlap) said passing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement is essential for Central Illinois.

“About 40 percent of the products grown, produced, or manufactured in the state are sent to Mexico and Canada.  It’s extremely important that when we get back in September we bring this up first thing,” said LaHood.

The congressmen also covered topics like recreational marijuana and raising the minimum wage.  The discussion was part of an event held by the McLean County Chamber of Commerce.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]