North Carolina Suspends Gas Tax While Massachusetts Proposal Faces Deadlock
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed a gas tax suspension into law, while Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey's similar proposal faces strong legislative opposition.
Governors in North Carolina and Massachusetts have pursued different strategies to provide fuel price relief to residents. Josh Stein, Governor of North Carolina, signed House Bill 3 into law on October 9, suspending the state's 41-cent-per-gallon motor-fuel tax from October 10 through November 30. The measure covers gasoline, diesel, and alternative fuels, and is expected to reduce state tax collections by approximately $362.3 million, with funds replaced by the Stabilization and Inflation Reserve.
In Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey filed legislation to suspend the state's 24-cent-per-gallon gas tax for two months as part of a $2.24 billion supplemental budget request. Healey, who opposed such a measure in March, reversed her position after Republican candidate Mike Minogue proposed the suspension during the September gubernatorial campaign. She estimates the tax holiday would save drivers $120 million.
Despite the governor's request, the Massachusetts Legislature is unlikely to approve the measure this year. House Speaker Ron Mariano has expressed clear opposition, and the Massachusetts House previously defeated a similar budget amendment in April. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Aaron Michlewitz noted that previous votes on the matter were significantly against the suspension.
