As the war in Iran pushes U.S. gas prices toward $4 a gallon nationally, some lawmakers are pushing to suspend the federal gasoline tax in the latest attempt to try to control surging energy costs.

Lawmakers say the action would provide much-needed relief for families and businesses that rely on their cars and trucks to get to work and school and run everyday errands.

Asked about the gas tax at a Cabinet meeting Thursday, Donald Trump said he has “thought about” suspending it but suggested states should consider suspending their fuel taxes.

  • smeg@infosec.pub
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    7 months ago

    Less funding for crumbling highways, bridges, and roads. But keep driving! We won’t rethink public transit or automotive dependency. We won’t spend the money more wisely or make transportation more efficient. Nope, keep feeding the gas dependence to justify more oil wars!

  • criss_cross@lemmy.world
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    7 months ago

    If only there was an alternative fuel source for vehicles that we were in the middle of investing in that may have paid off in situations like this.

    A shame that doesn’t exist.

    • foggy@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      Situations like… Going to war to keep the petro dollar fueled?

      What’s crazy is this was 100% predictable. Shit, YouTuber RealLifeLore did a video titled “What happens if Iran blocks the strait of Hormuz” like 5 years ago.

      So it’s like yeah we stopped EV industry because we want to support big oil. Big oil requires we go to war in the middle east. Going to war in the middle east invariably raises oil prices.

      I guess what I’m saying is “too bad no EVs to save us right now” is the least infuriating part. We don’t have EVs because we are raising oil prices.

      It’s insane.

  • rndmdsplyname@lemmy.ca
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    7 months ago

    This is building a great case for america to

    1. Invest in better public transit infrastructure
    2. Adopt EVs even faster
    3. Make biking a safer transportation choice for everyone

    But…

    It won’t.

  • jordanlund@lemmy.worldM
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    7 months ago

    $0.184 a gallon.

    So that $5.00 price I saw the other day would be $4.816. Not a significant improvement. Even losing my states $0.40 tax would make it $4.416.

  • nosuchanon@lemmy.world
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    7 months ago

    How about we tax the producers of the gas instead of the consumers? Same gas tax, but it comes from the rich fat cats who can afford it. The oil companies have a fuck ton of money and all the do is lobby and leech off government resources.

  • brap@lemmy.world
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    7 months ago

    What are your fuel costs normally? Because 99p per litre of the most expensive diesel there is a fucking steal.

    • Kirp123@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      Americans have dirt cheap gas, it’s one of the reasons they have the giant fuel inefficient trucks and SUVs everywhere. Of course they’re pissed gas has gotten more expensive when their cars eat up 10 liters of gas per 100km.

  • santa@sh.itjust.works
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    7 months ago

    It’s $6 in California; I’ve heard it’s more expensive here, too, as it is refined more and better for engine.