Controversial gas tax bill clears NC Senate

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — A controversial bill that would lower North Carolina’s gas tax now but leave open the possibility of seeing it climb again down the road has clear the Senate.

The Associated Press reports the final Senate vote came after more sniping from Republicans and Democrats, as the bill has gotten bipartisan criticism.

The bill would cut the gasoline tax rate by 2.5 cents per gallon to 35 cents March 1. That rate would be in place through the end of the year. The tax formula would change after that, perhaps driving the tax up seven cents in 2019, based on projections.

Republicans, including bill sponsor Sen. Bill Rabon of Brunswick County, say the changes provide stability for road-building revenues. But critics, including Democrats and the conservative grass-roots group Americans for Prosperity, say it’s just a hidden tax hike.

“This bill does nothing to fundamentally reform how transportation is funded or how the gas tax is calculated,” AFP-North Carolina State Director Donald Bryson said in a statement. “In fact, it may actually make the gas tax formula more volatile in the future. Moving forward, we expect the House to be responsible with the bill by having more debate and, at the very least, provide taxpayers some protection with a gas tax ceiling.”