Congress weighs raising fed gas tax as prices at

Congress weighs raising fed gas tax as prices at the pump trickle to $2.50 a gallon
By Julian Glover. CREATED Dec 8, 2014

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — AAA projects gas prices in SWFL could dip as low as $2.50 a gallon by the New Year as members of Congress weigh raising the federal gas tax.

It’s like the perfect gift from Santa that’s on every driver’s wishlist.

“It’s savings in our pockets and it’s great for the holidays,” said Adina.

Unseasonably low gas prices are here just in time for the holiday travel season.

AAA the motorist group says a big increase in US oil production in states like North Dakota and Texas is driving down prices.

“The shale boom continues putting downward pressure on the price of oil, which pushes gas prices even lower," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA.

Falling fuel prices are allowing parents like Kate Bonomo to stretch a dollar to make every Christmas wish come true.

“I have four kids so every penny helps,” said Bonomo, “every penny definitely goes towards Christmas.”

The national average for a gallon of regular sits at $2.67 and here in Southwest Florida the price is just a few pennies higher at $2.73. That price is down more than three-quarters from this time last year when a gallon of regular cost $3.50 in Fort Myers.

Mix the increased oil production with the winter gas blend that’s already chapter to make and you’ve got a perfect recipe to increase the national gas tax — or that’s what some lawmakers think.

Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Tom Petri (R-WI) announced their co-sponsorship of a bill to increase the federal gas tax last week in a bipartisan press conference, calling current conditions a "golden opportunity."

“We’re not gonna walk,” said Shirley Moore, “so we gotta pay for the gas, regardless of what the price is.”

The congressmen figure now is the time to raise the tax while it only costs most Americans $50 on average to fill up their tank.

The federal gas tax hasn’t changed since George Bush 41 was in the White House, holding steady at 18 cents a gallon. Here in Florida we have the 11th highest state gas tax in the country at 36 cents a gallon.

Money collected by federal gas taxes goes to improving our aging highways, but how state funds are spent varies.

So too do opinions on whether raising the tax is a good idea.

“A couple of cents isn’t too bad,” said Adina.

“Anyone who lowers the gas tax gets my vote,” said Eck Natter.

“And anyone who increases it?” asked Four in Your Corner’s Julian Glover.

That person “will not get my vote,” said Natter.

While members of Congress broach increasing the tax, drivers agree lower prices are a holiday wish come true.

“We’re able to travel more, we are able to go shopping and it just helps the economy,” said Bonomo.

If Congress does increase the federal gas tax, experts predict it would double at most.

In the meantime, AAA expert Mark Jenkins estimates Americans are saving nearly $200 million a day thanks to lower prices at the pump.