Pennsylvania bill looks to increase transparency at the gas pump
The legislation, authored by Sen. Michele Brooks, argues that while Pennsylvania has the third highest gas tax in the nation, with the money from the tax meant to go towards repairs on roads and bridges, PennDOT has budgetary woes and continues to ask for more funding towards projects. Brooks added that consumers have a right to know how much of their money is going to the gas tax with every gallon they purchase.
In Pennsylvania, every gallon of motor fuel pumped is taxed 76 cents per gallon, with 57.6 cents going towards the Pa. state gasoline tax. The diesel fuel tax is 74.1 cents per gallon, meaning that every gallon pumped is taxed 98.5 cents per gallon when adding in the federal tax, according to the legislation.
Brooks' legislation, also known as the 'Fuel Tax Transparency Act,' would require service stations across the Commonwealth to display the rates of federal and state taxes on fuel. This legislation was previously introduced in the last Senate session, however, it was never passed. Brooks noted that Ohio recently implemented a similar law.
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