SELC statement on proposed gas tax suspension

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) released the following statement in response to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s proposed gas tax suspension. The statement is from Trip Pollard, senior attorney and leader of SELC’s Land and Community program.

“Virginians need relief from the rising cost of living, but Governor Youngkin is peddling the wrong cure with his proposals to suspend the gas tax and cap inflation adjustments. These steps offer minimal benefits while cutting revenues for safer, cleaner, more equitable transportation. Experience has shown that oil companies will only pass on a limited portion of a gas tax reduction to consumers and pocket the rest. Yet losing hundreds of millions of dollars of transportation funds will mean fewer road and bridge repairs, as well as cuts to transit and rail service.

“Shortchanging our transportation system will harm all Virginians, and people without a car will be hit the hardest. Better steps to reduce transportation expenses include low and no-fare transit, funding alternatives to driving, and offering electric vehicle rebates. Such solutions allow Virginians to save money while supporting energy independence and curbing harmful tailpipe pollution.”