Minnesotans hope for federal gas tax holiday

(ABC 6 News) – As the national average gas price toggles just around $5 per gallon, many are calling for a federal and state gas tax holiday.

People in Rochester were echoing President Biden today in his call to suspend the 18.4 cent federal gas tax.

"Any kind of relief at all is a positive step – especially during this time. Oil goes down and places like Kwik Trip lower their price to follow that – it all helps," said Dan Webster, who gets gas in Rochester.

Webster said if Congress agrees with Biden, this is a step in the right direction. However he is still looking for other forms of relief. State lawmakers would have to come back together for a special session before Minnesotans could see a state gas tax holiday.

Reprsentative Liz Boldon (DFL, Rochester) said she thinks it is unlikely.

"The Senate GOP has been unwilling to even come to the table on other pressing issues so I’d be a bit surprised if they were willing to take any action on this," she said.

Senator Carla Nelson is tax committee chair. She called on DFL Governor Tim Walz. "The Governor has apparently pulled away from his proposal for a gas tax holiday," Nelson said.

Minnesota drivers say they want a multi-level solution.

But experts say that if Americans do not see exactly 18.4 cents off per gallon, there could be a few reasons why.

"It’s a little blurry in that it won’t necessarily mean an 18 cent drop overnight. The 18 cent decrease in taxes could be offset by a potential rise in the wholesale price of gasoline. On the other side, it could also be enhanced by a decline in wholesale gas prices," said Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.