HAMILTON, Mass. — Candidate for governor Mike Minogue today called on Governor Maura Healey to call a special session of the Massachusetts Legislature and pass the gas tax holiday she announced last week, saying Massachusetts families should not have to wait any longer for relief at the pump.
Minogue first called for a gas tax holiday on September 10. Twelve days later, Maura Healey announced a proposal to suspend the state’s 24-cent-per-gallon gas tax until Election Day. But the proposal has not taken effect, and drivers continue to pay the full tax.
“I’m glad Maura Healey followed my lead in announcing a gas tax holiday, but hard-working Massachusetts families are still waiting for the relief she promised,” said Minogue. “A press conference doesn’t put money back in people’s pockets. Be a leader and push back on the Legislature. This is another example, like the audit, where Maura Healey failed to support the people and lower costs. The Legislature should be convened for a special session to get this done.”
Minogue is also launching a Gas Tax Holiday Clock on MinogueForMA.com, tracking the time that has passed since Healey announced her proposal without the tax holiday taking effect.
“A gas tax holiday is a common-sense solution for immediate relief. The Legislature must put the people first and get this done. Every day Maura Healey doesn’t act is another day Massachusetts drivers are paying a 24-cent-per-gallon state tax that should be suspended. Right now, the clock is running, and families are still paying,” said Minogue.
Minogue said his proposal goes far beyond Healey’s weeks-long suspension. His plan would provide a gas tax holiday whenever the price of gas rises above $4.00 per gallon. As governor, he’ll move to eliminate the tax completely.
Minogue has committed to an audit of the entire budget to uncover hundreds of millions of dollars in waste, fraud, and corruption. He says eliminating that unnecessary spending creates an opportunity to give money back to taxpayers and eliminate the gas tax.
The Gas Tax Holiday Clock and information about Minogue’s plan are available at MinogueForMA.com.