MADISON, Wis. -- It's just pennies at the pump but those pennies are adding up.

The pennies are Wisconsin's gas tax.

It goes up every year on April 1, without any lawmaker taking a single vote.

It's not much, often a fraction of a cent.

But after 20 years, it's now 30 cents on every gallon. One of the highest taxes, per gallon, in the nation.

One candidate for governor wants to change that.

Republican candidate for governor Scott Walker pitched the idea as a way to help drivers save some cash.

"This is another thing that keeps driving it up and up and up," said Walker. "So I'd like to see it stopped."

Walker, the Milwaukee County Executive, is calling for the automatic hikes to end.

"To me it's just taxation without representation," he said.

"I think it's a political quick fix," retorted Bob Cook.

Cook represents those who live and breathe on the road -- road builders, trucking companies and big business.

"We will lose economic development," he said. "We will lose jobs. We will jeopardize safety."

Cook points out the increase is costing consumers about $4 to $5 a year.

"And for that people in Madison get a safer Highway 12, improvements to the beltline, improvements to East Washington Avenue and a good transit system," Cook said.

"It's politics," said Todd Berry.

Berry of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance said the gas tax would go up $39 million without a vote.

And he said that's not all.

"Meanwhile the income and sales tax will grow by $635 million."

Since those taxes are tied to a percent and the percent doesn't automatically rise.

But there aren't complaints when the money pours in.

Both Berry and Cook argue that gas tax indexing is pretty much the same thing.

Walker's plan would replace the missing $39 million by shifting 20 percent of the sales tax on cars into the transportation fund.

All the money in the fund would pay for transportation.

Gov. Jim Doyle took millions out to pay for other projects then borrowed the money to make it up.

Walker is willing to debate how much the tax should be.

"Then let's have that argument but let's not do that automatically and let people hide behind this item that was approved nearly two decades ago as an excuse for not having to take the tough votes," said Walker.

Walker used to serve in the state assembly.

At least twice a bill was introduced to end the automatic increases and he didn't support either.

In fact, he voted for several budget bills, which contained the tax increase.

In response, Walker told News 3 his recent experience as a county executive has taught him he can balance budgets without tax hikes.