News From

State Representative Ron Stephens

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2008

Contact: Rep. Stephens

618-651-0405

Rep. Ron Stephens co-sponsors bill to suspend sales tax on gasoline

Springfield…. State Representative Ron Stephens (R-Highland) signed on to co-sponsor a bill which would suspend the sales tax on gasoline from May 1 until September 15 of this year and save Illinois drivers tens of millions of dollars on Tuesday.

“This is just the first step we can take to try and drive down the high price of a gallon of gas,” Rep. Stephens said.

Currently, the state is receiving a percentage of the cost per gallon every time the price of gas climbs higher. Rep. Stephens and his colleagues are proposing to keep this money in the pocket of the Illinois resident, allowing it to stimulate the state’s economy in a different way. HB 6138 will suspend the tax for a four-and-a-half month period, which will coincide with the summer driving season.

“High gas prices hurt our state’s tourism when residents try to go on a summer family road trip,” Rep. Stephens said. “By lowering the price of gas, even if it’s just a little bit, that much more can be generated through tourism dollars. It’s good for the people of the state that currently are paying an arm and a leg at the pump, and it’s good for the state itself, which is in such dire need of increased revenue.”

HB 6318 also asks a nonpartisan State panel, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA), to report to the people of Illinois on how much money is saved.  According to the bill, these reports should come in every month.

Back in 2000, House Republicans successfully suspended the sales tax on gasoline for six months when the price per gallon was at $2. It is now nearing double that, which will be a state record. Rep. Stephens feels the time for action has come again.

“Many factors influence the price of gas. The state of Illinois can do its part to not be one of them, even if it is just for the summer months,” Rep. Stephens said.

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