You can agree with the reasoning behind Sen. Hugh Leatherman's proposal to increase the state gas tax by 7 cents a gallon and recognize that its timing could hardly be worse. With gas prices at historic highs, the proposal has little chance of passage.

Indeed, other legislative leaders, including Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell and House Speaker David Wilkins, already have spoken out against a gas tax increase. So has Gov. Mark Sanford.

Given the short period of time left in the session, a gas tax hike is more than controversial -- it is dead in the water.

Unfortunately, Sen. Leatherman's plan also could kill a House bill that would give the state Department of Transportation another $70 million for road maintenance by ensuring its receipt of gas tax revenues now diverted to other purposes. Sen. Leatherman's proposal came in the form of an amendment to the House bill, sponsored by Rep. Bobby Harrell.

"I don't think there is any way a gas tax is going to get through the Legislature," Rep. Harrell said. "The idea that you could raise gas taxes 7 cents with record gas prices isn't going to fly."

Rep. Harrell's bill sought to ensure that gas taxes that are collected actually go to the DOT, to be used for maintenance projects that are now shortchanged.

In his remarks, Sen. Leatherman cited the need to improve the state's secondary roads, and correctly described the gas tax as a user fee by which drivers pay for needed highway projects. But the timing of his proposal could mean that the DOT will get less money next year, not more.

The Senate should place the bill on special order so that it can be debated before the session ends. If the amendment can be removed, there's a chance that Rep. Harrell's original proposal can be approved. Then DOT actually would receive some additional funding for secondary road maintenance next year.