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'Gas Tax Holiday' Until Year's End Backed

Posted on: Thursday, 18 August 2005, 18:00 CDT

Aug. 18--Three Republican legislators from southeastern Wisconsin Wednesday called for a temporary 15 cent-per-gallon cut in the state's gasoline tax -- what they termed a "gas tax holiday" -- to provide motorists some relief from skyrocketing gas prices.

State Reps. Robin Vos of Caledonia, Pat Strachota of West Bend and Don Pridemore of Hartford said the reduction from the current tax of 29.9 cents from Sept. 1 through the end of the year would save motorists $170 million statewide, or about $100 per family.

To make up for the loss of revenue from a lower gas tax, the lawmakers proposed using $180 million left after Gov. Jim Doyle's vetoes of the 2005-'07 state budget. The vetoes transferred money from the state's transportation fund to the general fund.

The three asked Doyle to call a special session of the state Legislature to consider their proposal.

"Gasoline right now is the biggest issue among constituents I talk to," Vos said at a news conference at a Citgo station at N. 58th St. and W. Blue Mound Road.

Strachota said she received a letter from a woman who said she must now choose between buying groceries and paying for gasoline.

"And I don't think she's alone," Strachota said.

When asked if the cut might result in higher property taxes, Pridemore responded, "That's up to the governor."

Doyle spokeswoman Melanie Fonder said property taxes have been "frozen" because of the $180 million transfer.

"What happens to property taxes if this is done for a quick fix?" Fonder asked.

She also doubted Doyle would consider calling a special session to examine the proposal. "If it's going to cause an increase in property taxes, it's not going to happen," Fonder said.

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Copyright (c) 2005, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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Source: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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