Gassed
I just received an e-mail alerting me to this press release by the National Taxpayer’s Union.
It urges Gov. Mike Easley to temporarily lift the state’s 26.5-cent tax on gasoline. Easley was asked this morning whether he would do such a thing this morning. His one word reply: “no.”
Why pass on the seemingly feel-good power play? Easley may just be looking at the numbers.
Cutting 26.5 cents won't get prices below $2 a gallon at my local station. Meanwhile, cutting the state will cost the state somewhere north of $120 million a month - money that's set aside to help build and repair roads.
So, is getting your petrol bill down to, say $2.35 rather than $2.61, worth putting a host of road projects behind the fiscal eight ball? Discuss in the comments below.
Comments (2)
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The savings might not mean much to you,however to some they could be important. Could not TAX HIKE MIKE take some off the PORK BARREL MONEY to cut home heating taxes this winter???? Did I not read yesterday $20 million for internet shams for his rich friends??
Posted on September 23, 2005 5:44 AM
Doug: Not sure what Internet shams you're referring to.
The tax in question that the NTU was pointing toward was specifically toward motor fuel...not home heating oil or gas. Of course, those are taxed as well and one might well make the case that it would be far more critical (as a health and safety issue) to help folks afford those than gas for their cars.
Posted on September 24, 2005 8:22 PM