Virginia Republicans urge gas tax holiday to combat high fuel prices

Virginia Republican leaders have called on Governor Abigail Spanberger to convene a special legislative session to implement a 90-day suspension of the state’s gasoline and diesel taxes. The proposal, voiced by several state legislators and a trucking company owner in Bedford County, aims to provide relief to families, farmers, and the transportation industry amid rising fuel costs linked to international market disruptions.

Republicans argue that the state can afford the temporary loss in revenue due to higher-than-expected tax collections. Delegate Scott Wyatt estimated that a 90-day suspension would cost the state approximately $410 million. Proponents suggest that the lost funds for road construction and maintenance could be replenished when the General Assembly returns for its regular session in January.

The Governor’s office responded by stating that Spanberger is assessing various options to address rising costs, while attributing the spike in fuel prices to President Trump’s military actions against Iran. Currently, Virginia taxes gasoline at 32.6 cents per gallon and diesel at 33.6 cents.