Massachusetts Gubernatorial Candidates Propose Gas Tax Relief
Massachusetts gubernatorial candidates Healey and Minogue are taking aim at high gas prices in the state. Both have proposed suspending or eliminating the state's gas tax of $0.24 per gallon. Governor Maura Healey is calling for a two-month suspension of the tax, which she estimates would cost the state about $120 million. Her Republican opponent Mike Minogue wants to make the tax cut permanent and has suggested that waste, fraud, and abuse in government could be eliminated to cover the lost revenue.
Healey blames President Donald Trump's policies and the war in Iran for rising gas prices, which are currently averaging $4.40 per gallon of regular gasoline and $6.39 per gallon of diesel fuel in Massachusetts. Minogue has also criticized Healey for not taking action on high gas prices sooner.
The average price for a gallon of heating oil is also up, with prices reaching the highest level in at least five years. The state's two largest natural gas providers say their cost for fuel is down from last winter's average, but customers may still see overall bills rise due to other costs such as pipeline construction and state programs.