NC State Senator Proposes Ending Gas Tax (NBC17)
RALEIGH, N.C. — A state senator wants to eliminate North Carolina’s gas tax to help consumers deal with skyrocketing prices. The state’s gas tax is 32.5 cents per gallon, the highest it has ever been.
That money goes to the state’s Highway Transportation Fund. “I hate the gas tax period to begin with,” said Sen. David Rouzer, a Republican who represents Johnston and Wayne Counties.
“This is one thing that we could do to directly impact businesses and help them, and that’s right there in their pocket book, by suspending this 32 cent gas tax,” said Sen. Rouzer. Rouzer thinks the state could find money for transportation improvements elsewhere.
Specifically, he wants to end some of the exemptions in the state’s tax code, which total $5.8 billion, according to a 2009 report from the North Carolina Department of Revenue. Rouzer would not say exactly which tax exemptions he would like to end.
“The point of the legislation is to direct people to the fact that we have $5.8 billion in exemptions on the books and to have that debate,” he said.
“It certainly would help,” said Mike Peace, a local driver. “Any improvement in the price of gas would be a benefit to those of us who have to have it.”
Marion Wright, another area driver, added,“We all could use a break because groceries are high. Everything is high.”
But some drivers aren’t sure they’d want to see the tax go.
“I’d rather pay the tax if it’s for the roads,” said Billy Oltman as he filled up at the Raceway station on South Saunders Street in Raleigh.
Charlene Adams agreed. “If the roads are tore up. It’d cost more money to keep our cars together ’cause you’ve got to get the brakes fixed, struts fixed and stuff from potholes in the streets,” said Adams.
Although the gas tax is supposed to go to road maintenance, some of it is used for other purposes, according to the CIVITAS Institute. • Ferries – $41 million • Drivers Ed for teens – $31 million • Bike paths – $1.1 million • Visitor centers – $400,000 annually
Although getting rid of the gas tax has some appeal, some drivers said they wouldn’t bet on its disappearance.
“It’s a good idea, but it probably won’t happen,” said David Napier.
Lawmakers have to address the issue of the gas tax by this summer. A minimum rate of 29.9 cents passed two years ago and expires on June 30.
