CHARLESTON (WVDN) —Tuesday morning, West Virginia Democratic representatives spoke to the press, echoing their continued calls for gas tax relief by pausing the state’s gasoline tax.
Democrats have been rallying this cause since late March. During the April special session, Democrats drafted legislation that would address the issue, but the governor never amended the call to allow the legislature to address it and Republicans voiced opposition to gas tax relief.
In Monday’s COVID-19 press conference update, the governor showed signs of reconsidering his position. “I’ve done a lot of thinking about maybe a gas tax holiday, and I want to hold up just a little bit longer,” he said.
But Democrats aren’t taking “maybe” for an answer. “We’ve kept the people waiting long enough,” said Senator Richard Lindsay (D-Kanawha). “Twenty to forty dollars in relief may not mean much to politicians on the radio calling it ‘a drop in the bucket,’ but to families who are struggling, that could pay for meals or help pay down a utility bill.”
The governor has accused Democrats of being partisan in this call for tax relief for working West Virginians.
“I never in my life thought this would be a partisan thing,” said Senate Minority Leader Stephen Baldwin (D-Greenbrier). “I thought we would all be shaking hands and doing this together. It’s an easy choice and the right thing to do.”
“People’s wallets aren’t playthings for politicians to turn into talking points. This affects real people,” said Delegate Shawn Fluharty (D-Ohio). “What we do in crisis says a lot about who we are, and there is no doubt this is a crisis for many West Virginians. We need action now. We needed action months ago.”
In their press conference, Democrats outlined a number of ways to move forward: a gas tax pause by executive order or legislative action, a road fund backfill with legislative appropriation, or a rebate to registered motor vehicle owners.
Speaking from a border county whose gas prices are currently over $5/gallon, Delegate Lisa Zukoff (D-Marshall) emphasized the impact gas prices have on seniors on fixed income. She also highlighted the struggle for parents, grandparents, and caretakers with children who are normally fed at school and are now also facing increased grocery prices this summer.
“We have a one-billion-dollar surplus. We can do this—we can do this easily,” she said.
Democrats have previously written a letter to Governor Justice and are now offering an opportunity for all legislators in the state to sign on in support of gas tax relief.
Democrats have also created an online petition for the public to show their support for gas tax relief that has already garnered over 1500 signatures. Citizens can sign it at https://www.change.org/p/gas-tax-relief-for-wv
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