Seeking to put the federal gas tax on sabbatical until the end of the year, Governor Andy Beshear joined the inkwells of other governors across the country and spent Thursday signing a letter of support for such actions in Washington D.C.
With Congress searching for immediate solutions to rising gas prices, Beshear noted this would be a strong answer to a temporary problem — as the national average gas price has risen to $4.17, or up $1 since this time last year.
Called the “Gas Prices Relief Act,” Beshear said such legislation has support in both the House and the Senate — support that would help bring money back into consumers’ pockets.
Beshear also noted this is something the federal government can afford.
Alongside with Rep. Angie Hatton, of Whitesburg, Beshear is also proposing to temporarily lower the state sales tax from 6% to 5% over the next fiscal year — with the potential of phasing out state sales tax altogether becoming a louder conversation.
Such an immediate measure would provide families up to $1.2 billion in fiscal tax relief over the next eight months.
