A half-dozen states have suspended their gas tax to help motorists weather rising fuel prices.
Gas prices have come down slightly from record highs in June, but motorists are still looking for relief at the pump. President Joe Biden has called on Congress to suspend the federal gas tax for three months, and he's encouraged state governments to pass similar legislation.
A bill to pause the federal gas tax, which adds 18.3 cents per gallon, was introduced in the Senate in February, but it hasn't been brought to a vote.
A half-dozen states have suspended their state gas taxes, and many others are debating similar moves. According to a Politico/Morning Consult poll from March, 72% of Americans support suspending their state fuel tax.
Which states have put the brakes on gas taxes? How much is it saving drivers? Is your state next? Here's everything you need to know.
A bill to pause the federal gas tax, which adds 18.3 cents per gallon, was introduced in the Senate in February, but it hasn't been brought to a vote.
A half-dozen states have suspended their state gas taxes, and many others are debating similar moves. According to a Politico/Morning Consult poll from March, 72% of Americans support suspending their state fuel tax.
Which states have put the brakes on gas taxes? How much is it saving drivers? Is your state next? Here's everything you need to know.
Which states have suspended their gas tax?
Proposals to limit fuel taxes, which fund interstate highway repair and mass transit projects, have been introduced in more than 20 states. So far only five have pulled the lever.
Maryland
On March 18, Maryland paused its 36-cent-a-gallon tax on retail gasoline and its 37-cent tax on diesel for 30 days. Prices dropped 21 cents on average that day, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.
"This is, of course, not a cure-all, and market instability will continue to lead to fluctuations in prices," said Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who also supports suspending the automatic increases in the state fuel tax, but such efforts seem unlikely to bear fruit.
On July 1, Maryland's gas tax, which is tied to inflation, rose 7 cents to 43 cents per gallon. Comptroller Peter Franchot called for a special session of the Maryland General Assembly to pass another three-month gas tax holiday and suspend the state's automatic fuel tax increase, which he said would save motorists $300 million from July to the end of September.
A two-car household fueling up on 15 gallons a week could see a savings of more than $150 over the 90-day pause, Baltimore station FOX 45 estimated.
Georgia's gas tax holiday has been extended until July 14.
Georgia
Georgia's General Assembly voted unanimously to pause state fuel taxes until May 31, shaving 29.1 cents a gallon off the price of gasoline and 32.6 cents per gallon off diesel. Gov. Brian Kemp, who said lost revenue is being covered by state surplus funds, extended the gas tax holiday until July 14.
Georgia last suspended its fuel tax in May 2021, when the Colonial Pipeline network shut down.
Connecticut
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed a bipartisan bill on March 24 temporarily lifting the state's 25-cents-a-gallon motor vehicle tax from April 1 to June 30 -- a step that will save drivers an estimated $90 million.
On Thursday, a gallon of gas in the Nutmeg State was $4.98, up about 63 cents from before the tax was suspended.
New York
In April, lawmakers in Albany approved a budget that suspends the state's 8-cent fuel tax and an 8-cent sales tax between June 1 and December 31. The move is projected to save New York drivers about 16 cents a gallon.
"By suspending certain fuel taxes for the next seven months, New York is providing some $609 million in direct relief to New Yorkers, a critical lifeline for those who need it most," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
Florida
In May, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a budget that includes a one-month fuel-tax holiday beginning Oct. 1 that will lower the price of gas by 25.3 cents a gallon.
California
After efforts to suspend the 51-cent gas tax failed, California Gov. Gavin Newsom compromised with lawmakers in June and agreed to suspend a portion of the diesel sales tax, lowering it by about 23 cents per gallon at a cost of $439 million.
What are other states doing about gas taxes?
State gas taxes -- which can include an excise tax, sales taxes, oil inspection fees, county and local taxes and other charges -- vary greatly. Pennsylvania has the highest, nearly 59 cents a gallon, and Alaska the lowest, a little over 33 cents a gallon. The weighted national average is about 57 cents a gallon.
In Michigan, a Republican measure to suspend the state's gas tax failed to garner sufficient support. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said she backs temporarily suspending the sales tax on gasoline instead. Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich wants to cut the 6% fee for one year.
With gas averaging $5.20 in Michigan, lifting the sales tax would lower the price by about 31 cents a gallon.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer opposes suspending the state's fuel tax but supports pausing the 6% sales tax on gasoline.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has frozen the state's gasoline tax at 39.2 cents per gallon through the rest of 2022.
In October, Missouri increased its gas tax by 2.5 cents, to 17 cents, then upped it another 2.5 cents on July 1, to 19.5 cents. But the increase is fully refundable for most motorists, if they keep their receipts and submit them to the Missouri Department of Revenue website. Drivers can start submitting gas receipts from October 2021 through June.
In a more moderate move, a measure introduced in Ohio would reduce the state gas tax by about 10 cents a gallon. The bill, Senate Bill 277, has not advanced to a floor vote since it was sent to the Transportation Committee in February.
Some cities are coming up with their own solutions: Since April, Chicago has issued tens of thousands of $150 gas cards and $50 public-transport vouchers to eligible residents via lottery.
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