DES MOINES - Iowa Gov. Chet Culver reaffirmed his resistance to a hike in the state's gas tax despite a recent report highlighting a growing shortfall in funding for critical road and bridge construction.

Culver has opposed increasing the gas tax during the economic downturn, and he said on Monday that the findings of the report from the Iowa Department of Transportation won't sway him.

"I don't think it [the report] makes raising the gas tax more attractive," Culver told reporters. "I think it highlights the need for an infrastructure package of some kind."

Transportation officials reported last week that the revenue shortfall to meet critical highway and bridge construction needs has reached $267 million annually. The shortfall was about $200 million two years ago.

Culver said he expects Congress to approve a federal stimulus package that will provide infrastructure help for states, and he said he'd like to supplement that with a state infrastructure initiative as well.

He said he would unveil some specifics regarding his infrastructure plan during his condition of the state address before lawmakers next week.

Culver said he also would include details of his disaster recovery plans during his speech.

Motorists pay a tax of 21 cents for every gallon of gasoline they purchase in Iowa. The tax is 19 cents for ethanol blends and 22.5 cents for diesel.

Contact Fred Love at (515) 422-9048 or fred.love@lee.net.