Florida may suspend its gas tax

Sen. John McCain has at least one person on board with his proposed federal gas tax break between Labor Day and Memorial Day. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist wants to suspend or reduce the charge at the pump, even if it means losing millions.

“I know the frustration of people paying for gas at the pump,” Crist told the Sun-Sentinel. “It’s outrageous how expensive this is. And our dependence on foreign oil is ridiculous.

Florida has cut its gas tax in the past. In 2004, lawmakers wiped out the then 14.3-cent per gal by 8 cents for a month, which cost the state an estimated $60 million. A gallon of regular gas now averages $3.42 in Florida.

The state budget is already being pinched, as legislators are making about $5 billion in cuts in areas like the environment, education, health care and prisons.

House Speaker Marco Rubio has reservations about suspending the state gas tax again, claiming people just bought less gas just before the tax break kicked in, then hoarded it before it ended.

Crist believes the state can handle losing millions for the cause of helping families.

“Sure we can,” he told the Sun-Sentinel. “Families need the help.”

Transportation industry associations fired back at McCain’s federal gas tax break, stating the move would cost the infrastructure sector $9 billion and over 300,000 in jobs.