Press Release – March 25, 2022| March 25, 2022
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), issued the following statement in response Governor Glenn Youngkins’ proposed suspension of gas tax. Trip Pollard is a senior attorney and leader for SELC’s Land and Community program.
Virginians are in dire need of relief from rising living expenses. However, Governor Youngkin is selling the wrong solution with his plans to suspend the gas tax as well as cap inflation adjustments. These steps have minimal benefits and reduce revenues to fund safer, cleaner, and more equitable transportation. Experiment has shown that oil companies won’t pass on the full gas tax reduction to consumers, but will keep the rest. But, losing hundreds and millions of dollars in transportation funds could mean fewer road repairs and more cuts to transit and rail services.
“Shortchanging our transportation system will harm all Virginians, and people without a car will be hit the hardest. There are better ways to reduce transportation costs than low- and no-fare transit, financing alternatives to driving and offering rebates for electric vehicles. These solutions allow Virginians the opportunity to save money, support energy independence, and reduce harmful tailpipe emissions.