Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Bellefonte) introduced a bill Monday to significantly cut the state’s liquid fuels tax.
Senate Bill 10, the Consumer Gas Prices Relief Act, would cut the state’s gas tax by 33 percent through the end of 2022, the Senator’s office said. Revenue that would have been generated by the tax will be replaced with federal funds and a bond issue to pay for critical infrastructure projects to ensure projects are not delayed or deferred due to the tax cut.
“Higher gas prices are taking more money out of consumers’ wallets at a time when families can least afford another financial burden,” Corman said. “We cannot change the circumstances that led to skyrocketing gas prices – including the invasion of Ukraine and the anti-energy policies of President Biden and Governor Wolf – but we can alleviate some of the stress on Pennsylvanians every time they fill up their gas tank.”
Corman said that along with the proposed federal gas tax holiday, the plan could reduce gas taxes paid by consumers at the pump by nearly 50 percent.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, motor gasoline and gasohol is $0.576 per gallon, down from $0.582 in 2017. In 2009, the Pennsylvania tax on motor gasoline and gasohol was $0.312 per gallon until it rose to $0.407 per gallon in 2014.
Nationally, gas prices increased to a record $4.33 per gallon on March 11. Since then, the price has fallen to $4.25 as of March 21, according to AAA.
More than a dozen state Senators back Corman’s plan, including Sens. Ryan Aument (R-36), Lisa Baker (R-20), Camera Bartolotta (R-46), Lisa Boscola (D-18), John DiSanto (R-15), Marty Flynn (D-22), Scott Hutchinson (R-21), Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-93), Mike Regan (R-31), Devlin Robinson(R-37), Steve Santasiero (D-10), Mario Scavello (R-40), Pat Stefano (R-32), Judy Ward (R-30) and John Yudichak (I-14).