Baker Pressured To Suspend Massachusetts Gas Tax As Prices Soar

MASSACHUSETTS — As gasoline prices rise at the fastest pace in U.S. history, Massachusetts lawmakers are pushing for Gov. Charlie Baker to suspend the Commonwealth's 24 cents per gallon gas tax.

Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin is calling on Attorney General Maura Healey to investigate the sudden spike in gas prices while Republican governor gubernatorial candidates Chris Doughty and Geoff Diehl are demanding a temporary suspension on state gas tax.

Galvin claims the attorney general can review the books of gas retailers and wholesalers to find out if the gas prices are truly fair or if gouging is involved, adding that the Russian crisis should not affect the price of gas at this time because that fuel was purchased weeks ago.

A spokesperson from Healey's office did not say if the attorney general has plans to pursue an investigation.

Doughty suggested that the state's 24 cent gas tax be suspended until the price of a gallon drops below $3.70. He also launched an online petition to "help families and seniors who cannot afford soaring costs."

While the other GOP candidate Diehl also pushed lawmakers to suspend both Massachusetts gas tax and motor vehicle excise tax at least until the beginning of the summer.

This comes as President Joe Biden banned Russian oil, natural gas, and coal imports to the United States on Tuesday in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

On Tuesday, gas prices rose more than 10 cents from Monday, breaking records and spiking prices up more than 62 cents from last week. According to AAA, gas prices have not gone over $4 since 2008.

Massachusetts collects a state excise tax of 24 cents per gallon on gasoline sales, according to a January 2022 report from American Petroleum Institute. Massachusetts residents pay 44.94 cents per gallon accounting for all state and federal taxes and fees.

Baker, who is vacationing in Utah this week, hasn't indicated if he will suspend the tax, but recently suggested it may be an option. The State House News Service reported that Baker hinted last week he might be looking at suspending the gas tax as the state looked at what could be done to alleviate the impact of the current inflation. "If we were to do something short-term, that would probably be the place we would go," Baker said.

A letter was sent to Congressional leadership Tuesday from six Democratic governors calling on Congress to drop the federal 18.4 cents per gallon gas tax through the end of the year.

"Every tool is on the table to reduce prices," White House assistant press secretary Emilie Simons said in response to a question about whether the administration would consider a gas tax holiday.