Sen. John McCain has at least one person on board with his proposed federal
gas tax break between Labor Day and Memorial Day. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist
wants to suspend or reduce the charge at the pump, even if it means losing
millions.
“I know the frustration of people paying for gas at the pump,” Crist told
the Sun-Sentinel. “It’s outrageous how expensive this is. And our dependence
on foreign oil is ridiculous.
Florida has cut its gas tax in the past. In 2004, lawmakers wiped out the
then 14.3-cent per gal by 8 cents for a month, which cost the state an
estimated $60 million. A gallon of regular gas now averages $3.42 in
Florida.
The state budget is already being pinched, as legislators are making about
$5 billion in cuts in areas like the environment, education, health care and
prisons.
House Speaker Marco Rubio has reservations about suspending the state gas
tax again, claiming people just bought less gas just before the tax break
kicked in, then hoarded it before it ended.
Crist believes the state can handle losing millions for the cause of helping
families.
“Sure we can,” he told the Sun-Sentinel. “Families need the help.”
Transportation industry associations fired back at McCain’s federal gas tax
break, stating the move would cost the infrastructure sector $9 billion
and over 300,000 in jobs.
