Local business owner says proposed gas tax holiday could benefit consumers
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
On Wednesday, one construction worker said that President Joe Biden's proposed gas tax break could help pass saving on to customers.
Biden called on Congress to suspend federal gasoline and diesel taxes until September.
The proposition is intended to ease the financial burden consumers are experiencing at the pump during summer when drivers hit the road at a higher rate. Gas prices have soared along with other essential goods amid continuing inflation, putting pressure on households and businesses.
Biden said, "Now, I fully understand that a gas tax holiday alone is not going to fix the problem, but it will provide families some immediate relief, just a little bit of breathing room, as we continue working to bring down prices for the long haul."
The federal tax on gasoline is 18.4 cents per gallon and 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel. Missouri's average cost of gas according to AAA for regular gasoline is $4.65. A federal gas tax pause would lower that price to $4.47. The average cost of diesel is $5.37 and would be $5.13 with a tax holiday.
The national average for regular gasoline is $4.95 and the national average for diesel is $5.81.
Biden is also calling on states to lower or suspend their own gas taxes as well.
State Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) said it would require a special legislative session to discuss any action on Missouri fuel taxes.
Smith said "If this was coming up I think at the beginning of the year, possibly, but I think since the session is over, it's going to be a lot hard to get that done now that session is out. "
Smith also said that he believes the gas tax holiday could help Missourians. "I think it's a great idea, I mean, people need relief, I mean gas tax, gas prices are way too high, we are all feeling it at the pump especially here in Mid-Missouri it's painful for everybody," said Smith.
Stephen Winans is a local construction worker, and said if Congress decides to pass the break, it would benefit both his customers and the construction company.
"Well I mean with the cheaper gas prices, there's just more profit, more profit, and that means cheaper prices for the customers," said Winans.
