The proposal to raise taxes to pay for highway funding isn't finding much support among the candidates running for South Dakota governor.

Candidates from both parties feel the proposed nickel-a-gallon gas tax hike isn't the way to go, given the state of the economy. They think South Dakota can find other avenues to pay for highway projects.

Democratic candidate for governor Scott Heidepriem says state government needs to improve efficiency, not raise taxes, to pay for future road and bridge projects.

Heidepriem says $183 million in federal stimulus money should be enough for the state to meet its highway needs for now.

"I don't believe that an increase in taxation on the backs of people of South Dakota at this difficult time in history is appropriate given we already have received this amount from the federal government," Heidepriem said.

Lt. Governor Dennis Daugaard agrees that the timing is wrong for tax hikes. He says the way to emerge from a recession is by lowering taxes, not paying more at the pumps.

"I can afford it, my wife Linda can afford it, but there are other families and businesses that are struggling," Daugaard said.

Daugaard says the state has done a good job of improving efficiency and limiting expenses for the transportation department.

But Republican candidate Scott Munsterman says South Dakota needs to come up with new spending priorities for highway projects.

"We need some new strategies on how we're using roads, who's using the roads and how we can go about better to keep them up," Munsterman said.

Republican candidate Dave Knudson says a nickel a gallon tax hike will be a tough sell in the legislature. He says a more moderate 3-cent a gallon boost would be more likely to pass.

Candidate Ken Knuppe calls the legislative committee's proposal "a pretty hefty increase," and says the state needs to look at cutting spending, not increase it.