Legislative leadership and the governor announced at a press conference today that one of the major issues in the upcoming special session will be temporarily freezing the wholesale gas tax.
Due to rising gas and oil prices, the wholesale gas tax is set to automatically increase as much as 6 or 7 cents per gallon in October. The freeze would prevent an increase in the tax until Jan. 1, 2010, the governor said.
Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin noted that high gas prices have affected everyone in West Virginia and the rest of the nation. “By freezing [the gas tax],” he said, “this will mean more money back in people’s pockets.”
To offset the loss in revenue from the freeze, the Legislature will consider a $40 million supplemental appropriation to pay for highway maintenance.
Speaker of the House Rick Thompson noted that maintenance services were significantly affected when the tax was last frozen in 2006. This time around, he said had assurances from the Division of Highways that “no services will be cut as a result of this freeze.”
The special session – the second of the year – will begin at 5 p.m. tomorrow after the conclusion of monthly interim meetings.
Also at the press conference, the governor announced the approval of disaster relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The money will go toward helping those affected by the flooding on June 3. Residents affected by the flooding can find out information on receiving assistance by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362).
In addition to Speaker Thompson and President Tomblin, several lawmakers attended the press conference. The Senate was represented by Majority Leader Truman Chafin, Finance Chair Walt Helmick, Government Organization Chair Edwin Bowman, and Health and Human Resources Chair Roman Prezioso. Delegates at the press conference included Judiciary Chair Carrie Webster, Finance Chair Harry Keith White, and Government Organization Chair Jim Morgan.
