Welcomes POTUS, New Supporters to Effort to Provide Relief to Struggling Motorists
Following news that President Joe Biden has proposed his own federal gas tax holiday, the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance has renewed their call for state legislative leaders to do their part and provide relief for struggling motorists by temporarily suspending the state gas tax.
“Even the President of the United States now gets it. Anyone who needs to drive—which is almost everyone—is feeling the pinch of high fuel prices in a very acute way right now. Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka continue to come off as incredibly out of touch with their obstinate attitudes to this common-sense proposal,” said Paul D. Craney, spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.
In addition to Biden’s release of his suspension plan, several prominent Democratic candidates for statewide office voiced their support for a suspension recently. Earlier this month, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, who is running for Lieutenant Governor, let it be known she was open to the idea of a short-term suspension to provide some relief. On Sunday, State Senator Eric Lesser, who is also running for Lieutenant Governor, stated he would enthusiastically support a temporary suspension provided it would have no effect on the state’s bond rating. In April, S&P Global Ratings issued a statement that temporary gas tax suspensions were not likely to affect the state’s bond rating.
This represents an about face for Lesser, who voted against a temporary suspension of the gas tax in both March and May when Republican-led proposals came before the Senate.
“State lawmakers and their Governors in New York, Connecticut and New Hampshire all get it. Both Republican candidates for Governor have understood the value in pursuing this proposal for months. The President of the United States and even some statewide Democratic candidates now get it. It’s time for Senate President Spilka and Speaker Mariano to stop being so stubborn and pursue this common sense proposal,” said Craney.