RI Sec. Of State Calls For Pause To Gas Tax Amid Soaring Prices

PROVIDENCE, RI — As gas prices climb to historic highs in Rhode Island and across the country, one elected official is calling for Gov. Dan McKee to offer drivers some relief. Sec. of State Nellie Gorbea, a candidate for governor, called for a temporary pause to the state’s gas tax.

"Protecting Rhode Islanders from the burden of rising gas prices is not a partisan issue," Gorbea said. "The Governor should pause the gas tax to provide immediate relief to the many Rhode Islanders facing higher prices at the pump right now."

Gorbea said the move would "keep our economy rolling and keep families from having to choose between gas and food or gas and rent."

The Rhode Island gas tax is currently 34 cents per gallon, according to the state's Division of Taxation.

As of Tuesday, the average price per gallon in Rhode Island was $4.24, according to AAA Northeast. That was seven cents higher than the night before, when the organizations reported a then-all-time-high of $4.17.

Gas prices in Rhode Island and across the world have been in turmoil since the Russian invasion of Ukraine wreaked havoc on international oil markets. In the span of a week, the average price per gallon rose 60 cents in Rhode Island, the steepest weekly increase on record, AAA said.

Related: Russian Oil Ban: Will Soaring Gas Prices Go Higher In RI?