Thu, Aug 28 2008
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Published May 08, 2008 12:24 am - As presidential candidates debate a proposed temporary suspension of the 18.4 cent federal gas tax, governor... Don't drop state taxes on gasoline, diesel either The Norman Transcript As presidential candidates debate a proposed temporary suspension of the 18.4 cent federal gas tax, governors and state lawmakers have their eyes on doing the same with individual state fuel taxes.
Some states add as much as 45.5 cents a gallon, making the federal tax seem small. The different tax amounts make for lots of border town fill-ups. California has a 45.5-cent tax compared to neighboring Arizona's 19-cent tax. Florida's governor wants a 10-day reprieve for his travelers in July, according to a story in the New York Times. We've heard no call from Oklahoma lawmakers to suspend the tax but in an election year it could happen. Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas have slightly higher state gas taxes than Oklahoma. However, we don't hear of massive lines at border stations. The difference in most cases would amount to less than 50 cents a tankful. The Times said similar tax suspensions did not lead to corresponding drops in prices at the pump. Four states -- Florida, Georgia, Ilinois and Indiana -- have passed gas tax holidays since 2000. But retailers generally did not pass on the intended savings. In states that did suspend their taxes, drivers saved about $2.50 a month while states lost millions in road tax dollars, the Times said. We think temporary suspension of the federal tax is an election-year gimmick. Suspending the state gas taxes falls in the same category. 
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