Transportation is an area that Minnesota lawmakers on both sides of the aisle can agree should be a high priority in the next few years. The state's roads need maintenance and upgrades in some areas, and the problem is felt in both urban and rural areas.

The question, especially in this year of budget problems, is how to pay for it. Sen. Dean Johnson of Willmar has proposed one way -- increasing the state's gas tax by 20 cents a gallon and tying it to inflation so it goes up every year. The money raised would fund roads and bridges. It's similar to proposals that have failed in the past.

The idea makes sense. With a gas tax, those who use the roads would be the ones who pay, and for the most part, those who use the roads most would pay the most. In that way, the tax is really a user fee of sorts. The state hasn't increased its gas tax in 14 years, and inflation has cut the buying power of the money collected since then. The tax is currently 20 cents per gallon.

In addition, a fee that raises gas prices may have the bonus effect of encouraging people to drive less or use more fuel-efficient vehicles, which could ease congestion and help the environment.

The state needs a new source of revenue to cover these road projects, and a gas tax is a sensible way to do it. The need to keep taxes down is also real, but roads are one area where residents need government services the most, and an area where they'll most notice a deficiency. We think most Minnesotans would pay a few extra dollars a year for good roads and bridges.