Senate Republicans Release Alternative Plan to Governor’s Gas Tax Freeze | News

0

(WSIL) – During Governor JB Pritzker’s budget speech last week, he proposed a one-year gas tax freeze to save Illinois consumers money.

Pritzker’s plan would freeze the fuel tax at 39.2 cents a gallon. It was supposed to rise to 41.4 cents on July 1. He says it would save families $135 million.

This would mean that if you filled up, you could also save about $1 per month, if you fill up once a week.

But highway supporters and Senate Republicans disagree with the plan because it would be a $135 million hit to the Highway Fund.

So Senate Republicans introduced their own gas tax proposal.

Their proposal would reduce the gas tax by 1%, from 6.25% to 5.25% for one year. The plan also increases road fund disbursement from the state general fund from 32% to 53%.

Senate GOP members say it would offset lost revenue at the pumps and result in an $80 million increase in the Road Fund more than it would receive under the original 6.25 percent sales tax. %.

So under the members’ plan, assuming gasoline costs $3.00 a gallon, consumers would save $171 million. The amount would increase as gas prices rise. (This is based on 5,712,574,110 gallons of fuel, which was the amount purchased between July 2020 and June 2021.)

Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) opposed the governor’s plan, calling it a “trick.”

“I appreciate the Governor’s somewhat acknowledgment of the need to get our finances in order as well as the need to provide financial relief to our taxpayers. However, the people of our state need more than its year-long election aid offers. They deserve a permanent tax relief plan that helps them deal with inflation at the grocery store and skyrocketing property taxes. »

Governor Pritzker is scheduled to speak on the proposed gas tax freeze at 1:30 p.m. to Marion. You can watch the governor’s full remarks on our website and Facebook page.

Share.

Comments are closed.