SPRINGFIELD -- You could get a break at the gas pumps in Missouri this summer if a bill gets the approval of the Legislature and the governor. It would lift the state’s gasoline tax for the summer – in a way.
The state’s gas tax is 17 cents on every gallon. If the bill becomes law, however, it wouldn’t mean 17 cents would drop off the prices at the pumps.
Gas prices are getting harder and harder to handle. In the Springfield area, regular unleaded was around $3.37 a gallon on Thursday. So word of a price cut has drivers excited.
“I think that's a fantastic idea! Anything that would cut gas prices down a little bit for us would be a great idea,” said one person.
The Missouri House gave initial approval to the measure, which would lift the state gas tax from May 24 to Sept. 2.
But Missourians would have to save their receipts and turn them in with their 2008 tax returns.
“I don't know about anybody else, but I'm terrible about saving receipts,” said Ben.
At 15,000 miles a year on 25 miles per gallon, your savings would be $27.46.
“People will just not know about it or say it's not worth the effort, so there's going to be a lot of them filtered out, and it'll lessen the impact,” said Reed Olsen, an economics professor at Missouri State University.
Olsen also believes the economy needs some extra help now instead of next year when people file their 2008 tax returns.
“There are other ways they could get money into consumers' hands more efficiently,” he said.
Some taxpayers believe the tax needs to stay.
“I'm all for saving money whenever I can, but the roads really need to be taken care of as well, especially with that Minnesota bridge collapse as an example,” said Michael.
Gas tax money goes toward Missouri roads and bridges. The Missouri Department of Transportation says the bill could set them back around $137 million, money the state would have to make up from general revenue, but there could still be a price to pay.
“There could be delays on some much needed projects. It raises the level of uncertainty we have and counties and cities have in planning road and bridge projects,” said Bob Edwards, a spokesman for MoDOT’s office in Springfield.
Olsen believes, because of the way markets work, some of the money saved by lifting the gas tax would end up back in the pockets of the oil companies.
The bill is supposed to be back up for discussion on Tuesday or Wednesday in the House but only about two weeks remain in the legislative session, so some lawmakers worry it's too late to get it passed this year.