When is the right time to raise taxes?

Upshot: Thanks but no thanks.

A state task force is recommending that Ohio's 28 cents per gallon fuel tax be increased by 13 cents to raise more money for the state's transportation needs.

The panel also is calling for a state constitutional amendment to allow gas tax revenue to pay for waterway and transit system improvements, in addition to the highway and bridge construction the money now goes toward.

And, the 62-member task force made up of government and business officials says the state should consider hiking vehicle registration and driver's license fees by $1 each to raise even more transportation revenue.

A spokesman for Gov. Ted Strickland says the governor appreciates the panel's work but doesn't think a tax increase is the best idea in the middle of a recession.