Some members of the Virginia General Assembly are pushing to raise revenue for the Commonwealth by raising the gas tax. Senator Phil Puckett from the 38th District says Virginia needs the money to improve roads and tunnels. The gas tax rate has not been raised since 1986. Currently, Virginia drivers pay 17.5 cents per gallon. Tennessee’s gas tax rate is 20 cents. North Carolina just raised the gas tax rate to 38.9 cents. Puckett has floated a proposal that would increase the Virginia gas tax rate to 22 cents per gallon.