Topeka ? A Senate committee on Tuesday recommended approval of a three-tenths of a cent increase in the state sales tax for a new transportation program.

The move by the Senate Transportation Committee marked the first tax increase proposal to advance in the 2010 legislative session as legislators grapple with a nearly $500 million revenue shortfall.

“We need to get something out for public scrutiny,” said Sen. Dwayne Umbarger, R-Thayer, chairman of the committee.

The measure would increase the state sales tax of 5.3 cents per dollar to 5.6 cents per dollar in 2013 with the revenue going toward highway construction and other transportation projects. It would also increase car registration fees by $20 and truck registration fees by $100 in 2013.

New revenue in the package totals about $2.7 billion over 10 years. Combined with existing revenue, the plan would cost about $8.2 billion. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

The measure was hotly disputed in committee.

Opponents said it didn’t make sense to recommend a tax increase when the Legislature was awaiting more current revenue projection figures. “I’m concerned with sending out a transportation plan at this time without those revenue estimates,” said state Sen. Pat Apple, R-Louisburg.

Legislators are expected to adjourn this week, get revised revenue projections on April 16 and then return for a wrap-up session April 28. Many legislators have said they expect the current budget crisis to get worse.

But supporters of the proposal said advancing the legislation would help lawmakers gauge whether the public supports a comprehensive transportation plan and funding to support it.

“It’s worthwhile to have three weeks to discuss any type of a funding stream,” said state Sen. Terrie Huntington, R-Fairway.

Transportation advocates have been pushing for a new comprehensive plan since completion of a 10-year, $13 billion plan that was adopted in 1999.

Under the new proposal, about $4.6 billion would go toward highway preservation; $1.6 billion to cities and counties for roads; and $1.8 billion for highway expansion and modernization. About $200 million would be spent on transit, aviation and rail improvements.