Posted on 12/31/2005 8:11:22 AM PST by Libloather
RALEIGH -- As Tar Heels ring in the New Year at midnight, an automatic increase in the state's gasoline tax takes effect and adds fuel to a political fire legislative leaders will try to put out next week.
North Carolina's gas tax jumps 2.8 cents Sunday to 29.9 cents per gallon, among the 10 highest such levies in the nation.
This latest jump in the gas tax has fueled bipartisan calls for relief locally and across the state. More than half of Guilford County's 10-member legislative delegation say they believe a special session is in order to consider capping or temporarily staying the tax increase.
On Friday, legislative leaders unveiled a quickly formed committee designed to examine the reasons for higher fuel costs. That committee is expected to begin work this week, but its formation drew only tepid reviews from advocates of stronger measures.
"The appointment of the committee indicates the concerns that people have about the gas tax are being heard," said Sen. Phil Berger, an Eden Republican who represents parts of Guilford County. "Whether they'll be acted on remains to be seen."
The committee was called a "fact-finding endeavor" in a statement issued by House Speaker Jim Black and Senate leader Marc Basnight, both Democrats.
After the committee meets, Black said, "members will be more prepared to decide if a special session is necessary to address the issues."
Berger, the leader of the Senate's Republican minority, was one of the first legislators last fall to call for a freeze or reduction in the gas tax as fuel prices rose in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Democrats control the House and Senate as well as the governor's office, and the state's top leaders have resisted freezing or lowering the gas tax.
Gov. Mike Easley, in particular, has been outspoken in his opposition to freezing or lowering the tax. He said the money is needed to keep up with the state's road construction needs.
Every penny on the state's gas tax generates about $53 million annually. Meanwhile, a family that bought 10 gallons of gas per week would save less than $15 a year by deleting the 2.8-cent increase coming Sunday, say critics of the tax freeze.
And with mainly Republicans railing for the tax break against what was a solid Democratic wall of opposition, tax-freeze opponents could paint the controversy as a partisan issue with a campaign-season audience in mind.
Now, however, many rank-and-file Democrats are joining the call for a special session.
"We need to give the people some relief, now," said Rep. Alma Adams, a Greensboro Democrat. "This is getting to be outrageous. It's a hardship on people."
Adams said the gas tax has become a frequently discussed issue among members of the state legislative black caucus and Democrats in general.
Along with its effects on the poor, backers of the gas tax break say, those with long commutes and business operators with large motor fleets are being disproportionately affected.
Efforts to muster the signatures of 72 representatives and 30 senators needed to force a special session to consider the issue are under way.
Of the 10 legislators who represent Guilford County, six say they will lend their names to that effort. They include Berger and fellow Republicans Sen. Stan Bingham and Reps. John Blust and Laura Wiley. Democratic Reps. Adams and Maggie Jeffus said that they favored a special session.
Rep. Pricey Harrison, a Greensboro Democrat, said that she favored lowering or capping the gas tax but did not know if a special session was called for, saying the legislature could wait until its scheduled return in May.
Sen. Katie Dorsett, a Greensboro Democrat, said she wanted to see the results from next week's committee meeting before deciding on whether to support a special session.
Sen. Kay Hagan, a Greensboro Democrat, could not be reached Friday.
Only Rep. Earl Jones, a Greensboro Democrat, dismissed the idea out of hand.
"The bottom line is that it's a Republican ploy to try to create an issue that doesn't exist and create a distraction from their national leadership," Jones said.
Guilford County members of the new fuel-cost committee will include Berger, Bingham, Hagan, Jones and Rep. Nelson Cole, a Rockingham County Democrat.
Gas taxes in NC have already risen 37% since 2000.
bttt
Third highest gas prices in the US, behind Hawaii and California...
Nothing focuses the minds of the Dems more than pissed off taxpayers.
Ping.
One of our news stations has been on Easley like a fly on you-know-what about this for months and he would not speak to them.
http://www.kinston.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=33018&Section=Local
http://albany.dbusinessnews.com/shownews.php?newsid=56491&type_news=latest
http://www.stopthegastaxhike.com/
"Democrats control the House and Senate as well as the governor's office, and the state's top leaders have resisted freezing or lowering the gas tax."
Well DUH! rats do as rats are. Keep voting rat and maybe you can pay as much as New Yorkers do.
How on Earth is it an issue that doesn't exist? Our state is SQUARELY in the TOP TIER of ALL TAX considerations compared to other south-eastern states [we have high income tax, sales tax, and our property taxes are getting up there].
Another stealth tax coming through is not something to take lightly.
That's a four-year old bumper sticker design... nothing's changed.
Thanks for the ping. I extend South Carolina sympathy (where the gas tax is $.1675/gallon) to our North Carolina brethren :)
"Meanwhile, a family that bought 10 gallons of gas per week would save less than $15 a year by deleting the 2.8-cent increase coming Sunday, say critics of the tax freeze."
What is this family driving? A Yugo? 10 gallons a week? I guess this family doesn't own more than one vehicle, doesn't drive these vehicles to work, doesn't drive the kids to school, but maybe drives to church on Sunday and Wednesday?
Just goes to show that democrats are very ignorant about economics and it shows like a beacon in the darkness.
stations=station
Around here, stations got a jump on it by raising their prices on Friday. Obviously, they won't be falling "because of the new tax."
Just a little gouge....you'll never feel it...
They raided the Road Tax money for other endeavors already.
I just drove back through Va. and bought gas for $1.99/ gal.
That's .20/gal. less than I could buy it in NC and .23/gal starting today.
Some yrs. ago W. Va. had an outragous price for gas. They got me, once. I avoid buying gas in that state as I drive north, even though their price is more in line with other states now.
I plan on telling my friends to fill up in Va. or S. Carolina and pass through N.C. without stopping.
Dems looking out for the masses, as usual. /sarc
ping
http://www.stopthegastaxhike.com/
Gas prices should be posted on the sings as $1.35 PLUS TAX. That would sure get peoples attention.
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