Wolf, Corman Trying to Keep Pennsylvania Gas Prices From Getting Further Out of Control

Gov. Tom Wolf and state Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman are urging fellow lawmakers to suspend the federal and state gas taxes.

With Pennsylvania’s record-high gas prices now exceeding the national average, Gov. Tom Wolf and state Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Centre) are calling for the suspension of gas taxes to provide relief to motorists who are facing the prospect of even higher pump prices as the US cuts off Russian oil imports.

On Tuesday, Wolf joined Democratic governors of five other states in sending a joint letter to congressional leaders urging them to support legislation suspending the federal government’s 18.4-cent-a-gallon gas tax through 2022.

And Corman Wednesday proposed legislation to lower Pennsylvania’s 57.6-cent-a-gallon gas tax—the highest in the nation—by nearly 20 cents per gallon through the end of the year. 

“At a time when people are directly impacted by rising prices on everyday goods, a federal gas tax holiday is a tool in the toolbox to reduce costs for Americans, and we urge you to give every consideration to this proposed legislation,” reads the letter Wolf  co-signed with the governors of Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Wisconsin. “Money saved at the pump translates into dollars back in consumers’ pockets for groceries, childcare, rent, and more.” 

Corman called on his colleagues to help keep gas prices down for Pennsylvanians in the memo announcing his legislation. 

“In the past several days, we have seen gas prices skyrocket to historic levels.” Corman wrote. “We must do all that we can to address this now at the state government level and offer our support to hard-working families.”

Critics of the proposals say there is no guarantee the savings would get passed on to consumers and worry that suspending gas taxes could hurt funding for road projects.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.