State Rep. John Bradley raised some eyebrows last week with his proposal to tax each gallon of gasoline purchased by motorists an additional 8 cents. The 42-percent hike of the current 19-cent state tax would pay for $7 billion in state road construction projects.

For a driving public that recently paid $4.29 per gallon for regular grade gas, the idea sounds less than stellar. Soaring gas prices put the kibosh on summertime driving vacations for many people and the resulting financial impact on anything transported by truck (everything) rocked our pocketbooks.

Sure, gas is selling today for less than $1.70 per gallon in many locations across Southern Illinois, but does anyone really believe that will last for an appreciable length of time? The production cuts now being made by our "friends" in OPEC and the other oil-rich nations are destined to drive the barrel price of oil upward - which will affect the price at the gas pump.

What in the world was Bradley thinking? The impact of another 80 cents for a 10-gallon purchase may be inconsequential for upper-income motorists, but it would impose an unfair burden on the people who need wheels to travel between the several part-time and minimum-wage jobs that sustain a growing number of struggling, hard-working people.

On its surface, we don't like the idea. But in fairness to Bradley, a Democrat from Marion, there are some aspects of the proposal that make sense. Bradley made it clear when he announced the legislation that his idea isn't chiseled in stone. In subsequent talks with members of the editorial board of The Southern Illinoisan, Bradley said he hopes to start a dialogue and create a workable plan for statewide road construction.

Anyone who drives understands the need for road construction in Illinois, even if we were spared the winter-related potholes that cause accidents, flat tires and mechanical breakdowns. Our roads need major repairs and replacement, not the quick-fix patchwork that can be provided by strained public works budgets.

To the voters who unhappily recall Bradley's kill-shot last summer to a $30 billion capital improvement program that included road construction plans, the legislator's new-found interest in infrastructure improvements may seem curious. Bradley, however, said in a Wednesday interview that his concerns about the earlier capital plan were well founded.

He makes a good point. Few would argue today that our state's best known crime suspect, Gov. Rod Blagojevich, could be trusted to use the money properly. There also are growing concerns about the planned revenue sources for the earlier capital plan; the legality of a state lottery lease to a private operator is a big question mark and the anticipated revenue from expanded state gaming likely wouldn't hit projections in the state's sagging wagering community.

There is a historic precedent in using gasoline tax revenue for road construction.

"It's really like a user fee. It's like a surcharge on the people who use our transportation infrastructure. If people want to improve the infrastructure, that's a decision people ought to make," Bradley explained.

Bradley expressed willingness to listen to alternative ideas, or to plans that would modify his proposal.

We've got some ideas on what would make the plan more palatable.

A completion date should be attached to any legislation proposing an addition to the state's gasoline tax. Why should motorists continue paying the additional 8 cents per gallon once the $7 billion target is reached? Our state's sagging financial fortunes are because of, in no short part, the historic pattern of lawmakers finding expenses to soak up unbudgeted revenue.

Any realistic gas tax boost also needs to take into account the volatile nature of gasoline prices. We're not sure what the magic number should be ($3 per gallon?), but there needs to be a price point established at which the additional 8 cents is pared back a few pennies, or suspended until prices fall below the magic number.

We'll bet you've got some ideas, too. Bradley and his peers in Springfield would appreciate the feedback. Send them your thoughts by an e-mail, perhaps, or call their offices. You can find their contact information in the column on the left-hand side of this page.

Feedback: We want to hear what you have to say. Type your thoughts about our editorials in our "comments" field at www.thesouthern.com/opinions. If you want to see your comments in the newspaper, e-mail them directly to gary.metro@thesouthern.com along with your name, address and telephone number.