MORGANTOWN – Legislative Democratic leaders renewed their call for a gas tax holiday during a Tuesday press conference.
Responding to comments against the idea issued last week by the governor, the Senate president and House speaker, Senate Minority Leader Stephen Baldwin, D-Greenbrier, said on Tuesday, “We want to say, ‘Yes, we can do that.’ ”
Democratic legislative leaders last Thursday suggested that Gov. Jim Justice pause the 37.5 cents-per-gallon tax for at least 30 days to save state taxpayers some money in the face of record-high prices. According to AAA, Tuesday’s statewide average was $4.09 per gallon for regular.
Baldwin and others said that other states have made or are considering similar moves in a bipartisan manner.
News reports show that Maryland suspended its 36-cent tax on March 18. Georgia has also suspended its tax. Both states have Republican governors. Fifteen other states are exploring the subject, including neighbors Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Last week, Justice said he didn’t have the power to do it unilaterally, and turned it into a partisan debate, criticizing state and national Democrats and accusing state Democrats of grandstanding.
Baldwin repeated their previous point that suspending the tax won’t hurt the road fund or bonds based on gas tax revenue because the loss can be replaced from surplus funds — about $600 million now and projected to reach as high as $1 billion by the end of June.
Democrats said Tuesday they’re hoping to accomplish this in a special session and urged Justice and the GOP legislative leaders to get on board. Baldwin said they’re working on a bill to be introduced if a session is called.
“Let’s get it done,” Baldwin said. “Leaders don’t find excuses not to act. Leaders find a way to get it done.”
House Minority Leader Doug Skaff, D-Kanawha, said, “I think it would be a real help to people.” And no other state is sacrificing its road fund money in their efforts.
Responding to GOP leadership’s worries that gas stations won’t pass along the savings to customers, Democrats on Tuesday said that there have been no problems in Maryland, and the state has watchdog agencies to take care of such things if they would occur. Baldwin also pointed out that no one is going to buy gas someplace if it’s 37 cents cheaper down the street.
Skaff said if the governor fails to act, they’re prepared to draw up a petition to call themselves into special session. “If we need to go that route, we will.”
That would require a three-fifths majority of both houses and would need support from the GOP rank and file if the speaker and president remain opposed.
Responding to a question about why just 30 days, Delegate John Doyle, D-Jefferson, said he’d be open to doing it for 60 days, and they could then look at extending if further during planned interim meetings.
Skaff added that a tax holiday bill could even authorize the governor to extend it himself every 30 days, avoiding the need for repeated special sessions.
The Dominion Post has solicited comments from Senate President Craig Blair and House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, and is awaiting response.
TWEET David Beard @dbeardtdp
EMAIL dbeard@dominionpost.com
