Updated AFP Report: Minnesotans Face Nearly $300 More in Gas Taxes Per Year from Federal Gas Tax Hike Proposal

Apr 11, 2019 by AFP

Grassroots group highlights an updated report that shows how Minnesotans would be affected by a federal gas tax increase

BURNSVILLE, MN – Americans for Prosperity today released an updated state-by-state analysis of the real-life consequences of a new, federal 25-cent per gallon tax hike proposal. The release is part of a six-figure campaign across the country advocating solutions for improving America’s infrastructure without imposing new burdens on consumers through tax increases.

According to the findings, Minnesota households would see a new tax burden of nearly $300 per year – just from the federal gas tax hike. The current state gas tax is 28.6 cents per gallon and the federal gas tax is 18.4 per gallon. Additionally, if Governor Walz’s gas tax hike proposal is enacted, the new state and federal tax burden would climb to $0.92 per gallon.

VIEW State-by-State Analysis of a 25-Cent Per Gallon Federal Gas Tax Increase

Americans for Prosperity-Minnesota State Director Jason Flohrs issued the following statement:

“There is a better road forward to improving our infrastructure rather than forcing Minnesotans to pay on-average nearly $300 more at the pump every year. A federal gas tax hike along with Governor Walz’s own 20-cent gas tax hike would force families to pay $0.45 more at the gallon. That’s simply unaffordable. This regressive tax would hurt low and fixed-income families the most, and drive up the cost not only of gas, but nearly every item on store shelves that families depend on. Lawmakers should instead focus on solutions that prioritize roads and bridges, eliminate wasteful spending, and remove regulatory barriers that will help resolve our core infrastructure issues.”

In addition to the re-release of the state-by-state report, AFP will begin launching digital ads encouraging Rep. Pete Stauber, who sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Highway Subcommittee, to oppose any efforts to increase the gas tax and instead prioritize key reforms that will improve our nation’s infrastructure, such as:

Preserving federal infrastructure dollars for targeted construction projects of a national priority;
Unleashing private investment in infrastructure assets;
Returning power and responsibility to the states wherever possible;
Overhauling the regulatory and permitting system to improve outcomes and efficiency; and
Eliminating costly and unfair labor restrictions.

AFP has long maintained that there are better ways to address our nation’s infrastructure challenges than asking taxpayers to reach back into their pockets to funnel more money into a broken system. The economy is booming in large part to the tax and regulatory reforms that Congress and the administration have implemented, and we urge them not to undermine that success by clawing back that tax relief at the gas pump.

Background:

AFP-MN has been at the forefront of urging state lawmakers to protect Minnesotans from higher gas taxes. Earlier this year, AFP-MN ran a digital campaign urging lawmakers to oppose Governor Walz’s proposal to raise the gas tax by 20 cents.